Babes in the Woods

Trying to find some kind of 'normal' after being gone nearly 2 weeks is proving near impossible. Nothing is 'normal', certainly not the weather! We've had so much rain, so little sunshine; my garden is not doing what I had expected. I just brought in two small heads of red cabbage (total weight, 1 1/4 lbs) because the stems were rotting and they fell over.  I may be making green tomato relish before I ever get a decent harvest of ripe tomatoes. Oh well! Meanwhile, back at the rock ...

Bear sightings are in short supply! None at all on the trail cam in a while, though I did manage to capture two stills before this beautiful 2 year old left. I'm just uncertain of who it is, but there is a white spot on the chest if you look closely, and there may be a hint of a scar on the right side bridge of the nose. Could it be Buddy??? Or do I just want it to be him? Regardless, any bear sighting is a gift.

There are a lot of hummingbirds flitting around these days, adults and babies. Matter of fact, there are babies of all shapes & sizes!  The turkeys are back, one group has several little poults.  I saw the group with the solo baby too, so they all seem to be doing okay.

I've seen more fawns around than in several previous years, which is rather surprising considering the increased number of bears around. But the deer babies have made quick work of my lilies and some other flowering plants. The Rose of Sharon is blooming beautifully, mostly high up where they couldn't reach.

Puff showed up yesterday for the first time since winter; today she came with her two babies.  It's amazing how well the different species get along, for the most part.  I see more conflict between individuals of the same species. And it does seem to be individualistic behavior, probably having to do with some sort of hierarchy within the 'herd', in the case of the deer.  The raccoon family and the deer didn't mind sharing a table at the diner, hahahaaa!  Racquel Raccoon has been coming around all summer, I wonder where they live?  Today was the first time, though, I'd ever seen her with three babies, so darn cute!

I absolutely couldn't resist capturing this photo of the three babies, in a row. Baby raccoon butts, how cute is that??





At one point, Racquel walked right over to Puff's hind legs, and seemed to sniff. I guess she wasn't fond of the smell, because she turned quickly and ran back to where her babies


 were happily eating sunflower seeds.  Puff never even flinched.


So, I guess I should get outside and feed the goldfish before it starts to rain again!  There is a 10  minute or so video with some of Pat Surface's music, so if you have a little time to stop and watch some wildlife, please sit back, relax and enjoy a visit at the Hard Rock Diner.  There's always a seat♥

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     "In early days we were close to nature. We judged time, weather conditions, and many things by the elements--the good earth, the blue sky, the flying of geese, and the changing winds. We looked to these for guidance and answers. Our prayers and thanksgiving were said to the four winds--to the East, from whence the new day was born; to the South, which sent the warm breeze which gave a feeling of comfort; to the West, which ended the day and brought rest; and to the North, the Mother of winter whose sharp air awakened a time of preparation for the long days ahead. We lived by God's hand through nature and evaluated the changing winds to tell us or warn us of what was ahead.
     Today we are again evaluating the changing winds. May we be strong in spirit and equal to our Fathers of another day in reading the signs accurately and interpreting them wisely. May Wah-Kon-Tah, the Great Spirit, look down upon us, guide us, inspire us, and give us courage and wisdom. Above all, may He look down upon us and be pleased." 

Unknown Speaker addressing the National Congress of American Indians in the mid 1960's

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