Bambi sightings this week

This season's late Bambi was spotted again out in the backyard. A doe hangs around all the time which will of course be the mother. We spot mom feeding the fawn every so often.

Mommy, where are you?

The fawns know they should stay put, settle down in the grass and hide.

Ok, you better get down little fella.

One day the fawn was right outside the bedroom window. I took pictures through the venetian blinds so you'll notice some fuzziness in the pictures. But these are the closest shots I've ever been able to take.

Hmmmm... got to be something to eat down here.

Nope, did not taste very good.

Wait, did I hear something?

I better get down and wait 'til mommy gets here.

Today is Sunday and we're just reading the newspaper and drinking coffee when we spot a doe in the yard. It's probably the fawn's mother since it was alone. Got pictures through the blinds again.

Is this a pile of tree trimmings?

No, wait, it's a salad bar.

As usual, the good stuff is always hardest to reach.

In the searing summer heat, deer will eat stuff they are less fond of to survive.  Thankfully, we have a "wetter than normal" fall weather forecast due to El Nino activity brewing in the Pacific.

Fox family forages today

Looks like our fox returned, bringing some family members. We spotted three at one time. I was able to get pics of two together at times.

Let the games begin.

Something to eat over there?

We discovered that only grey foxes can climb trees, and not just curved trees, but straight up-and-down trees.

Time for a brief rest.

OK, let's get back to hunting.

What does the FOX say?

Look at the visitor in our yard this morning..... A grey fox walked through the yard and right through the fence.  He/she did take time to stop and strike a pose for the camera though.

What does the fox say? I couldn't hear him if he said anything.

Closer view of the little critter.

Newest addition to the wildlife family

Kinda late in the season for this little guy !

Caterpillar Alert!

Milkweed plants host a bunch of different butterfly larvae, otherwise know as caterpillars. We have a couple of antelope horn plants that sprang up in our yard. We are sharing them with the insect world.

Queen Butterfly Larvae on our Antelope Horn Milkweed Plant.

The catepillar is just trying to stay out of the sunshine on a hot afternoon, like everything else.

Here's a closer view.

Deer in the Yard

Well, the local deer had a get-together in our yard this week.

After the party, a buck and his fawn had to rest for a while.

Freezing Friends Forage for Food

 

The backyard was pretty busy in February, with lots of our winged friends looking for food. They seem to hit the feeders more when it's really cold out. Not only birds, but some other furry friends stopped by. Another day below freezing, boy are we ready for spring!

Mr. Bluebird looks all puffed out here.

The cardinal can barely fit on the feeder rail. The house finch has a much easier time.

Notice the Carolina chickadee with a big seed in its mouth. Lesser goldfinches eat too.

A sparrow gets its fill and leaves.

Here comes a tufted titmouse in for a landing.

Well, OK, squirrels need to eat too. The "cone of exclusion" slows them down a bit.

We have video of the squirrel trying to crack the code of how to get into the bird feeder:

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Other furry friends stop to have a snack in our yard.

They're finding something tasty.

Ooops ..... BUSTED!!!