Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Well. Yesterday was quite interesting!

Remember our plan to stay outside in the area where the groundhogs had their den, etc.? We did go outside. After seeing the babies emerging from the tree trunk, we stood on the funky patio and looked at them. They looked at us and I talked to them because they were so adorable. Eventually, I sat on the funky patio, and Don sat on the porch playing his ukelele. Every once in a while, I had to warn the babies to get out of my big garden bed, but mostly, because I was sitting there, they just peeked out at me. By the way, earlier in the morning, they were playing with each other, just like baby puppies or kitties or lions. It was so darned sweet.

Mom was off feeding somewhere, but I couldn’t see her. However, at one point, she whistled sharply in warning. Clearly, she saw me there – not being aggressive of course, just sitting there – but I was near her babies and she didn’t like it. Eventually, I decided to mow the front lawn because it needed it. The grass was 6 or 7 inches long in places. I was trying to outrun some rain that was on the way. Don came out to help me and we stayed on the front lawn and away from the babies. When that was done, we went in the house to shower, etc. Mom had come back to the babies and a few times when I happened to go outside for something or other, I startled her.

A bit later, I happened to look outside and there she was, with four of the babies walking very close to her. She was on the move. I called out to Don and we watched her walk quickly one way and then another, all the time looking for predators. Was she moving the babies? Yes! She moved up through the corral and up into the back forty. There are some burrows up there between our property and my neighbors. That’s where she went. We couldn’t believe it had worked. We really didn’t do anything but stay outside and that – and maybe the noise of the lawnmower – was enough for her.

But what about the 5th baby? A hour or so later, I saw mama back in our yard. I said to Don, “She’s looking for the other baby.” And then I saw a little one coming from the direction of the secret garden. Did this one follow her from their new home or was it the missing baby? Mama went to the tree and the baby joined her there. She was looking into the big garden bed, which was where I was afraid the 5th baby might be. But then she looked elsewhere, several different directions, so I got the feeling she was looking for predators. She moved toward the corral with the baby by her side and then, suddenly, she grabbed the baby by the scruff of the neck (with her mouth) and carried it into the corral. I soon saw her tearing across the back forty, baby in mouth, and she disappeared.

We couldn’t believe it worked! We took down the barriers, put everything away. We were relieved. But we missed them. And we worried about them.,

Never fear. Around 6 pm, I looked outside and three of the babies were eating on our property. I couldn’t believe my eyes, though when I think about it, all of this activity, whether by the house or up on the edges of the back forty, is on our property. It’s not like they moved far away. And one of them was in the darned big garden bed. I had to quickly put some of the barriers back in place. Later, I was outside doing something and I saw two of the babies run through one of my beds to the little gate, then to the secret garden, and back up the hill to their new abode.

So they’re really not gone, just staying in another hotel. I’m still going to have to deal with them! I took a tour of my big garden bed and almost every phlox and coneflower has been chomped on by the deer. It’s very depressing. Between the deer and the groundhogs, I’m sort of giving up on the garden. But not totally. I’m going to spray the deer repellent again today.

Big sigh.

I have to say, both Don and I are in awe of the fierce protection from the mama groundhog. She didn’t like us so close to her babies and she managed to communicate to them that it was time to move. The look on her face was amazing. She was determined to protect her babies and she did that.

She is Mama of the Year.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday,.

They are no longer quite so cute, these groundhog babies. They’re a pain in the tush. I’ve tried everything to block off the garden, which is quite large, and on a downward slope, and they outsmart me every time. They are intelligent little critters. So, they keep getting in the big garden. I was on high alert all afternoon yesterday, going in and out of the house (with a mask on) trying to find a way to keep them out. Wire fences don’t work. They can get through them. I even saw one of them trying to move a brick.

I finally jury-rigged a ‘wall’ of bin covers that we’re going to take to the dump. But since the ground is uneven, they can still sneak through tiny openings.

I saw one climb the tree to the right of the bin cover to get to the other side.

I don’t want them destroying my garden. We don’t have any money to invest in a more permanent barrier, so that’s out. I had to keep opening the door so they would run back to their den. They do come up to the area by the funky patio, which is fine. That’s usually where  the rabbit eats. Mom still goes off to the grass near the shed and she disappeared for several hours yesterday. They aren’t quite brave enough to head over to the grass yet.

By the way, there are only five now. I think the little runt, who kept trying to latch on to mom, passed away. Very sad.

Here’s the other problem. The family stays together for about 2 – 3 months, which takes me right through the summer.

My plan, for what it’s worth, is to spend time on the funky patio, reading, etc. when I know they are inclined to come out in search of food. Don will do the same thing. There are other homes for the groundhogs, notably under the shed, and I’ve seen the mom disappear under the shed several times. Maybe if it gets too frustrating, she’ll move them over there. There are also tunnels between our property and my neighbor’s. Plenty of places to go. If they lived under the shed, they’d do what mom does and eat the grass over there.

Fingers crossed. Groundhogs are intelligent animals, so I have my work cut out for me.

Let’s see, what else happened yesterday?

The air quality has improved and is back to normal. That happened last night. Hurrah!

Oh, that’s right. Trump was indicted!

I always knew it would happen. It will most likely happen with election interference and inciting a coup, as well. I never had a doubt.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

It’s pretty horrid here right now. The smoke filled sky, the smell of smoke, the air quality warning from the EPA was at Very Unhealthy all day long yesterday. We ventured outside to take a picture of the sky – with masks on – but we sure didn’t stay out there very long.

And the sun was redder than what you see in this photo.

Ominous.

It was a surreal day with the house closed up, a yellow sky, and the delight of watching the groundhog babies. Mom was on alert and we found out why  – a fox trotted through our yard and then to the back forty. We quickly called our neighbors who have chickens as the fox was headed to their property. Thankfully, the chickens were safe in their house.

A dystopian atmosphere all day long. We’ve been told to stay inside today as well.

A respite from the doom and gloom:

In the middle of the afternoon, mom and babies were on or near the funky patio. I think mom is showing them where to find food. Personally, I was grateful that they were cleaning up some of the weeds.

I do have to venture out to water my plants today and I’ll probably do that this morning. Masked of course. I’ll do it quickly.

Just checked the air quality and it is 171 – Unhealthy. So it’s a bit better today, but still bad. Sigh.

Thank goodness we have some apple pie in the fridge!

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.