The natural world
Surrounds us
Like a warm blanket
A warm, itchy, sometimes uncomfortable, too hot, suffocating, beautiful, sweet, funny, heart-warming, worrisome…
blanket
Cover photo is a candid of visiting quail on the property. About one month later than last year. The brood has about one dozen chicks. I was amazed to see them when we got here. Still am amazed. If you stay still, they go about their business.
On other notes: My lovely wife nearly stepped on this speckled rattler in the driveway. It ended up under the truck, then her car, then was “relocated” by a guy who does that.
About two months ago, we had to pony up upwards of $400 to fix the car because a rat had chewed through a sensor.
Then this happened under the hood of the truck:
Under the manifold cover:
We were lucky. Damage was minimal. I had to put on my “exterminator” hat, and I hate doing that. They persisted, but I think our efforts are gaining. Our trail cam has not seen them for three nights now.
Things like this happen all the time and adjusting from an antiseptic city approach is fine. Typically, a city will have their own rodent-pest control.
Don’t get me started on squirrels. Garden raiding on steroids. We planted a new peach tree. Covered the few peaches on it with protective plastic. Gone. Limbs broken off. Wait a year for the dahlia to bloom. Chewed off.
Mouse trap paddles have helped, but it’s constant. (non-lethal)
A papa doing his job protecting his brood:
Photographic Impressionistic Illusionistic 