Wildlife in my life
@GardenGerty (157552)
United States
July 10, 2020 1:10pm CST
We have quite a bit of open space around us, and trees. I let things grow up around the edges to give shelter. The field across from us stretches to the horizon. It has some trees on the far side.
So in this last week we have had a bit of wild life around. One day there was a small breed of wood pecker attached to the flower spike of my mullein, picking out seeds. Same day a lone star tick tried to attach to me. I got rid of it before it attached.. The crows sometimes fly low over Bob and I sitting on the yard swing and even if I do not see them, the blue jays make sure we know they are in the trees next door. I imagine from the ruckus they raised that a stray cat was trespassing in their territory.
I know I have mentioned the snapping turtle, the hummingbird and the yellow jacket.(I do not intend to run into one again.) Right now there is a wasp that came in, not sure how. A carpenter bee came in while ago and then left..I think I have told you how beautiful the fireflies are at night. There are lots of bugs around here.
Our most recent wild excitement was just moments ago as we ate lunch. A doe came running across the field and behind her a fawn was leaping saying "Mom, wait for me!"
I never really know what I will see just sitting here enjoying my day.
11 people like this
9 responses
! I have never experienced seeing fireflies . . . that must be amazing. Never a dull moment there 
.@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
11 Jul 20
Woah, I wonder why you have not seen fireflies. I thought they were just about everywhere.
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Jul 20
@GardenGerty Not here in my area of Southern CA. I've only seen fake ones on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland 
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.1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 Jul 20
@much2say I knew Southern California could not grow certain plants, but I had thought the fireflies would enjoy the tropical feel. I lived in Imperial Beach years ago, as a Navy wife.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
11 Jul 20
It was interesting the other night to watch the patterns as they went around and around.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 Jul 20
@thelme55 No. I am not sure it would do them justice.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
11 Jul 20
@GardenGerty Wow! Have you taken a video of them?
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95134)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Jul 20
We leave our edges wild too. Another reason I get so mad at the raccoons for trying to get my chickens. I am willing to share within reason.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
11 Jul 20
I had forgotten that raccoons prey on chickens. I know weasels, and foxes and coyotes and snakes. In my mind raccoons are those little cuties with masks that wash their hands. I KNOW they can be vicious, but I forget.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 Jul 20
@wolfgirl569 I had seen my grandma's chickens catch and eat small snakes and even mice. She seemed to have trouble with large snakes, though. Southeast Oklahoma. My uncle raised a raccoon once, but as she matured she became rather savage.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95134)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Jul 20
@GardenGerty Snakes actually arent too much problem except for the babies and sometimes eggs. But chickens love to get a huge worm so that seldom happens unless its a real big snake here 
I even had a pet raccoon one time that I bottle fed then set free. He did leave my chickens alone as I smacked his butt whenever he teased them. He also knew I would give him food if he needed it.
I even had a pet raccoon one time that I bottle fed then set free. He did leave my chickens alone as I smacked his butt whenever he teased them. He also knew I would give him food if he needed it.2 people like this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Jul 20
That is so beautiful to hear. I love hearing about how people are able to view the wonders of nature.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
11 Jul 20
But no gators here. I have heard that a couple have been found in lakes near Kansas City, but no one knows where they came from. Captivity, I am sure.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 Jul 20
@moffittjc I suspect people have had them in captivity until they got too large, then just turned them loose. I do not like exotic pets.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Jul 20
@GardenGerty Yeah, Kansas City seems a little too far north to support alligators. The winters would be too cold for the gators to survive, I would think.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
11 Jul 20
Even the bugs can get to be entertaining. I am battling ants a lot lately. I am mean to them though.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
11 Jul 20
Both in this town and the one we used to live in they even have come into town.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
11 Jul 20
I love wildlife!! Funny but reading your post I thought I have never seen a firefly down here!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 Jul 20
Oh, and a friend in Southern California says she has never seen them. Maybe they do not do well that far south.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
11 Jul 20
How exciting to sit and watch the wild life running past your house.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 Jul 20
I am easily entertained by nature it seems, and it is great.
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 Jul 20
Off and on we have deer activity in that field, but this is the first we have seen a fawn. It made our day.
