Baby Chipmunk

We had a chipmunk living in the wood pile on the front porch all winter, very close to a bird feeder. How handy!   The cats loved to go out and sniff around and yesterday Thisbe showed particular interest in the woodpile.  No wonder!  There were cat toys!  This morning S.O. saw three little critters crouched around a hole by the sidewalk.  He was able to get a couple of photos before they skedaddled back into their underground bunker. 

The essence of cute.   With all the predators about, I fear for the little tykes.  They are so fat and sleek and frisky.

Death Comes from On High

Ye gods, we pulled into the driveway a little after five this aftenoon, and a big hawk took off. He had obviously been scoping out our front porch feeder where the cute little guys hang out. A few weeks ago I saw a falcon in the woods. Every creature wants to eat my little birdies, the chicadees, titmice, and today a red-headed house finch. This will never do!

Chipmunks, doves, cardinals and squirrels eat the spilled seed on the ground. Last year we saw something (a raptor, obviously) carry off a full-sized blue jay.

And the dry carcass of the dumb chipmunk got who himself locked in the garage this summer has been discovered.

We have lots of "nature" here, up close and personal.

Grapeshot

Intimations of spring

The condo yard men came and cleaned up practically everything. Rabbits are nibbling above the cans I have protecting the tulips. Goldfinches are gold! Cool! Robins omnipresent.

Temperature still cold, cold cold. The slough has not thrown off its winter coat, but I can see buds swell on the forsythia, as well as the rhododendrum.

Crocus are above ground. I had given them up for lost. Oregano activity. Chipmunks about. Squirrels playful. One has the sense of a great many things happening out of sight and ready to burst into view. March is always the worst month, and a cold start to April is depressing, but soon, spring will come.

And we'll all be ready.