We have a family of raccoons living with us. They moved in under the back deck one cold winter night several years ago and since have multiplied. We have the mom and dad and their 5 babies, which we had the pleasure of watching grow up.
Sometimes in the summer, in the morning, they would bring them to play on the deck. Unfortunately, they dug in all my plant containers, removing decorative rocks and if I put the rocks back they'd dig them all out again. They had to inspect under all the cushions and chairs, quite often sitting on them to play with each other. As idyllic as this sounds, we would just hope for a breeze to blow the raccoon odor away from us.
I tried scrubbing the deck with everything I could think of and worried that we would be blessed with the smell forever but winter came and it disappeared. My daughter had developed a desire for water, pond, fountain things in large containers and we realized it was the water that was so interesting to them. Anything you put on the deck they had to investigate.
Gas got spilled on a sweatshirt and we hung it out on the handrail hoping nature would fix the problem. For a few days, it remained untouched, then curiosity got the better of them and they began pulling it down and playing with it. I'd replace it the next day on the handrail and they'd pull it down again.
The one question they raised that we couldn't answer is why an axe forgotten in other parts of the yard was hauled under the deck and into their little nest area.
My son figures they heard the coyotes howling as they often do at night and figured they needed some self defense and they've proven to be so smart, I begin to wonder.
While looking up raccoons on Google I came across this wonderful website on keeping them as pets. It's illegal in our country but not in all countries.
http://remocoon.mnsi.net/index2.htm
Here is one of my raccoon pictures
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
And now Bookplates
I found something else fun to make! I don't know if I'll sell any but if I can't keep busy selling items, I may as well have fun making them and these were fun to make.
This little hummingbird sticker is featured on this Squidoo Lense, thank you very much http://www.squidoo.com/the_best_of_zazzle_weekly
This little hummingbird sticker is featured on this Squidoo Lense, thank you very much http://www.squidoo.com/the_best_of_zazzle_weekly
Monday, February 15, 2010
Hummingbird Island
I was looking on the internet for information about Hummingbirds and kept coming across Hummingbird Island in Trinidad. I know there is one in Alaska too but that wasn't quite as appealing. At any rate, before long, I'd spent hours looking through the incredible photos of this tropical oasis wishing I could go.
This time of year it would be nice to go to a tropical Island. I wonder what people who live on a tropical island think about doing in February?
Anyway,after having painted this hummingbird, "Take me to Hummingbird Island seemed like a natural."
This time of year it would be nice to go to a tropical Island. I wonder what people who live on a tropical island think about doing in February?
Anyway,after having painted this hummingbird, "Take me to Hummingbird Island seemed like a natural."
Friday, February 12, 2010
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds didn't come into my life until I moved to a home that had a hummingbird feeder. After settling in to my new surroundings, I walked out onto the front deck and saw the feeder hanging there and thought, "I may as well give it a try".
This was before the internet and Google with its instant access to information so I had to wait until I went to the library to find a recipe for the food.
I filled the feeder then forgot it for spring was arriving, gardens needed tending and lawns needed mowing. I don't remember how much time passed but enough for me to completely forget about the feeder, as it hung high above my clothesline and out of my line of sight.
After hanging my second towel on the line, I reached into my basket for another and heard a loud whirring sound next to my ear. The hummingbirds had found the feeder and from that day on they visited regularly.
What amazed me was their lack of fear. They would zip by, inches from my head, oblivious to me or my actions unless I got in the way of them and their feeder. This continued throughout the summer and I learned to love them, their bravery and their determination.
They are a wonderful bit of nature that are easy for us to enjoy
Sister Custom Birthday Rufous Hummingbird Greeting Card by countrymousestudio
Find more note cards online at zazzle.com
This was before the internet and Google with its instant access to information so I had to wait until I went to the library to find a recipe for the food.
I filled the feeder then forgot it for spring was arriving, gardens needed tending and lawns needed mowing. I don't remember how much time passed but enough for me to completely forget about the feeder, as it hung high above my clothesline and out of my line of sight.
After hanging my second towel on the line, I reached into my basket for another and heard a loud whirring sound next to my ear. The hummingbirds had found the feeder and from that day on they visited regularly.
What amazed me was their lack of fear. They would zip by, inches from my head, oblivious to me or my actions unless I got in the way of them and their feeder. This continued throughout the summer and I learned to love them, their bravery and their determination.
They are a wonderful bit of nature that are easy for us to enjoy
Christmas Dated Custom Rufous Hummingbird Bird Art Silver Plated Framed Ornament by countrymousestudio
Sister Custom Birthday Rufous Hummingbird Greeting Card by countrymousestudio
Find more note cards online at zazzle.com
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Great Blue Heron
We are fortunate to live in an area with Great Blue Herons. Just between our Walmart and the downtown area is a creek and alongside it they've build a heronry.
They remind me of prehistoric birds and I always feel like I'm seeing something from a movie.
In the field, not far from my home is a creek and often, you can find a lone Heron fishing there. One summer afternoon, I spotted one staring at the water. It stood so still it didn't seem real so I stayed and watched, determined not to leave until I'd seen it move. My mind told me it wasn't a statue (who'd put one out in a field?) but I had a hard time believing any living thing could remain so completely motionless for so long.
It eventually decided there was no fish in the creek and without warning, flapped it's huge wings, made a weird un-bird-like harsh croaking sound and flew away.
Most mornings, they can be spotted flying over the city and out to the many lakes in the area. I've been told by people who have ponds that they cannot put fish in them because if the raccoons don't get them the herons do.
Merry Christmas Great Blue Heron Bird Nature Art Silver Plated Framed Ornament by countrymousestudio
Magpies Again
Yesterday was a beautiful warm day. It was a nice break and reminder that spring will one day return. On my way to work in the morning, I have to pass a gate that requires me to input a code. That meant I had to roll down my window and in doing so I heard a group of Magpies chattering.
What a beautiful sight! A frost covered birch tree with 10 Magpies. It looked like a Christmas card. Guess I'll have to find time to paint that one. That's the only problem with life, it interferes with the painting of it.
What a beautiful sight! A frost covered birch tree with 10 Magpies. It looked like a Christmas card. Guess I'll have to find time to paint that one. That's the only problem with life, it interferes with the painting of it.
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