Nature Notes: Sparrow, Groundhog, and Tall Flowers
The sparrows on my block are quite a joy, both in sight and in sound.
A critter I do not love: my daughter and her friend said this was a beaver, but I believe it is a groundhog. We still have one living in our backyard. I installed a “solar pest repeller” (I’ll have to take a picture of the this gadget), but yesterday I discovered my marigolds had been newly chomped despite the new repeller. Next step is a havahart trap, in which we trap it, and my husband promises to drop it off at Johnson Park on his way to work. New meaning to carpooling?
Echnicacea, rudbeckia (those are in front of my home), and white hydrangea are in bloom on my block, all in front of different homes.
For more nature notes:
Mrs. S. says
New meaning to carpooling?
LOL! :-)
Isn't it like 4:30 AM in your neck of the woods?!
Leora says
My new methodology when I get busy with work but I crave writing a blog post: I woke up at 3:30 am, wrote the post, then when back to sleep. Now I'm here at 6:30 am, and I am delighted to already have comments!
Nicole says
Beautiful flowers. I love those.
And sparrows are great. We always have a concert here too :)
Too bad the groundhog is such a pest, he's so cute.
Here it has been moles and mice.
The mice have left by themselves and moved to yards with better roots to chew on and the moles don't like the smell of garlic, the are also having a party at my neighbours now ;)
Gemma says
Enjoyed this collection of wildlife and flowers! Delightful!
Marju says
Beautiful photos!!
Ilana-Davita says
What apity such a cute critter should cause so much damage. No groundhogs in my neck of the woods. Distant cousin in the Alps.
Leora says
I have a photo of a lovely deer, too. Those that love tulips don't love the deer, either. We have too many deer and no natural predators for them. Lots of over-development in New Jersey: I drove to my husband's work last week, and as I left the parking lot, a deer went in front of my car. Commonplace.
RJ Flamingo says
I am reminded of the movie "Caddyshack" - just don't get too carried away!:-)
Love the perspective of that last photo - makes it look like a street of flowers that goes on forever!
George says
I definitely like your sparrow and flowers, but I can do without the groundhog. We found out the hard way that groundhogs like roses. So we've put groundhogs on the 'Not Welcome' list with the deer.
Jew Wishes says
What wonderful photos. I love the one of the sparrow...so sweet looking...and he posed for you, too! :)
nonizamboni says
Lovely flowers in your neighborhood--the echinacea are wildly blooming here too. I especially love the sparrow shot as they my favorite little guys and nothing compares to their simple song.
Carver says
Your echinacea is so beautiful and I love the sparrows. Beavers can create problems although that one looks so cute in your shot. Too funny about carpooling.
ramblingwoods says
Hi Leora..I found a link with some really practical suggestions for dealing with the ground hog or wood chuck. pest control with ground hogs or wood chucks. The problem with trapping and relocating is that the resident animals are all territorial and the new animal dropped off is left in a hostile environment. Also some animals will travel a long way to go back to their home territory. ...Michelle
ramblingwoods says
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/pestcontrol/a/groundhog_day_2.htm
The first try didn't work ...
Leora says
Thanks for the link. I've got one of those noise devices and I ordered another. But neighbors have had luck with the havahart traps, so I will probably have to go that route.
Dawn Fine says
Nice photos..sorry about your critter problems..hope you get them resolved!
Louise says
The flowers are GORGEOUS!
I like the carpooling quip.
Leora says
Today I am pretty sure I saw a skunk back there (besides seeing our fat groundhog twice). I told my husband no skunk in the car...we will have to live with the skunk.
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