Country living and wildlife

A squirrel finds its breakfast.

It’s 6:30 am and the sun is just starting to rise above the trees. Last night was chilly, about 6°F with heavy dew. Just a few weeks ago, we were dealing with sweltering temperatures and trying to stay cool in our non-air conditioned house while outside reached more than 130°F. Now, I’m shivering in my sweatshirt and sweatpants, cupping my mug of coffee trying to keep my hands warm. The thermostat reads 58°F in the house. I will not turn on the furnace. No way. Put on thicker socks and slippers. Huddle under the electric blanket. Have another cup of steaming java. Do not adjust the thermostat. It’s only September and the forecast says temps will be in the low to mid 20s for the next few days.

School started this week. I remember those days, anxious to see my friends, meet new teachers and try to remember where my locker was, let alone the combination. I find myself saying to my husband, “Remember when we were kids…” as if we’re a couple of old folks reminiscing in our rocking chairs.

I recall going to school in early September wearing our fall jackets. Sometimes there was frost already on the ground. It’s not that cold this morning, but chilly enough to wear a light jacket or sweatshirt. I’ll have to check the forecast daily to ensure that the garden and greenhouse plants are protected. A freak frost, which can happen at any time, will hurt the squash and tomatoes. It may be time to pull out the frost blankets, just in case. I’ve noticed around the yard this week that animals of all sizes are very busy all day until sunset. They’re getting ready for winter.

Barred owl

I’ve never been a morning person, but I am finding that rising at 5:30 am is great. I’m sipping my first cup of coffee before any birds have opened their eyes. I love listening to the dozens of different songs and sounds each species makes in the early morning. It’s also prime time to see wildlife emerging from their slumber, stretching their legs and foraging for food. There wasn’t much to look forward to in the city, so rising this early on a daily basis was pointless unless there was really something pressing to do.

Blue Jay

Here in the country, the sights and sounds of wildlife motivate me to rise with the sun and take in all of the splendors of Nature. There’s so much activity around me every day. The days are getting shorter as fall creeps upon us; it would be a shame to miss the daily comings and goings of creatures big and small.

Fox digging in dirt pile for toads.

The fox digging in the dirt pile looking for toads. The squirrel gathering nuts. The birds drinking dew from the grass and catching grasshoppers. The Blue Jays chattering at each other. The barred owl looking down from tree tops hunting voles.

Northern Flicker woodpecker

The Northern Flicker (a type of woodpecker) hopping along the ground picking up insects. The robins gobbling worms from the clay. The deer cautiously grazing on crab apples and clover.

White tailed deer fawn.

Who needs TV when there’s entertainment all around me!?