Springtime = Baby Critters

[Steve Schlumpf]

I love this time of year because all the baby critters start showing up and have not yet developed a fear of man.

Sat on my deck steps this afternoon and had a baby Pine Siskin land within 2' of me and stayed there hollering for his mom to come feed him. She didn't want to have anything to do with me but eventually hopped over and escorted the little guy to the edge of the deck to feed him. Been having that kind of stuff happen all week and have really enjoyed it.

Late this afternoon I walked around the side of my garage and saw something out of the corner of my eye. Walked over to where I thought I saw something and found this little guy. His mama must have taught him to freeze when he didn't know what to do - but she should have told him not to freeze on the sidewalk as you stick out like a sore thumb! :eek:

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I talked to this little guy for awhile and even rubbed his ears and neck for a few minutes - before he fell asleep! I let him stay there for close to 2 hours and then advised him it was time to head to the woods. Had to give him a couple of gentle pushes before he decided it was time to move on!

I know rabbits cause a lot of damage eating flowers and gardens around here - but not this guy - and not today! Sure enjoyed the visit!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Steve,

My youngest son and his wife were here visiting from Houston last week. We took them to supper one night and as we turned down a side street to get lined up to get to the restaurant, 20 or so baby California quail ran out on the edge of the street and then retreated for the safety of the bushes. All of them were smaller than a chicken egg.

[Eric Larsen]

I'd like to see a baby porcupine.


Question: Are they born with or without quills? I hope for the sake of mama porcupine it's "without."

[David G Baker]

Eric,
The quills point to the rear of the critter unless it is scared or mad. Momma better hope she doesn't make the baby mad or scared during the birth process. :D

[Jim Kountz]

Yep Steve, its that time of year again isnt it!! I also love the spring, everything is all fresh and brand new. Our good friend Dewey Torres told me about his finch feeder so we put one out and they have really taken to it. I just counted a dozen or more on it at one time a while ago!!

[Joe Pelonio]

That looks like a younger version of our friend "Hoppy" who will allow me to get within 3' or so. He used to do that too, turn his back and freeze, as if I wouldn't see him if he couldn't see me. His first wife was eaten by a coyote, he now has a new one who runs away if I approach. So far no sign of babies.

One of the squirrels is making a nest, but we have way too many of those fruit/vegetable stealing pests already.

[Greg Peterson]

"What's up, Doc?":D

[David G Baker]

Jim K.
Hang up some bags filled with thistle and you will have more finch than you can count. We fed them for several years then the price of thistle more than doubled so we quit. They will eat the black sun flower seeds if they are hungry.

[Joe Mioux]

yep its spring. something got to a nest of rabbits last week in the yard.

today, we had a snake skin shed outside on the walk. The dog probably brought it up to the house.

[Matt Ellis]

a little bit off topic, but here is my "critter" in the spring!

my brother and his family were in town this weekend, so we spent most of our time down at grandma and grandpa's house. lil' bit got to spend some time with her cousins, and we had a fun weekend all around.

one of the highlights was digging a few potatoes out in my dad's garden. while waiting for everyone to get out to the garden, we had a little bit of fun with dandelions. lil' bit is still getting the hang of it, but she is doing pretty well:


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even if the leftovers do get stuck to her face!

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now the real fun starts: time to go after those tubers!

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it turns out it is more fun to play in the dirt that dig potatoes:

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time to really ham it up:

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/6885/misc3283.jpg



and here is what we got from about 15 feet of a row. there are 4-100 ft rows total, so there is still something like 500 lbs of potatoes to be dug. wee!


http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/709/misc3266.jpg

finally, we had to go check out some of grandpa's sunflowers. they're very interesting!

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/695/misc3294.jpg

-matt

[Belinda Barfield]

She's quite the cute lil' critter, Matt! You really gave me a smile.

[John Fricke]

The problem with cute "lil" critters......of all species......they grow up and eat you out of house and home. I had to put a fence up to keep the deer and rabbits outta my garden. I have a 16 year old son who is either on his way from the pantry from getting a snack..........or on his way to the pantry to get a snack.

[Brad Wood]

just means more road kill 'round my parts :eek:

sorry, but its true.

Walked outside Saturday evening and saw a bunny high tail it through the dogs pen... must have been a young one that hasn't yet learned the potential fate of going into our dogs area.
most of them know the fence works in their favor so they sit just outside the pen and taunt the dogs.... really gets my two hounds worked up, lemme tell ya'... they have complete melt downs.
The two labs couldn't care less

[Bill Clark De]

solomons island a 40 foot sturdy boat and spring add a grand daughter and a hungry striper and the smiles with come- smiles that warm old hearts in cold winter nights yet to come
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