Mrs. Fuzzytail

OK, whats on for dessert?

Mr. Fuzzytail

Well where there is a bird feeder, there will be squirrels. I also noticed Mrs. Fuzzytail is around more often - and looking like she might be nursing some young critters. I will try to get a photo of her later.

Zooming In

These little characters are making themselves right at home. But what can one do when they insist on sometimes perching right on the camera? Lots more to follow.

A Time of Change!

The days are much shorter. The baby raccoons are now as big as their parents. Many of the birds have long since departed for warmer places, as have the monarch butterflies. The squirrels are fat and sassier than ever. The chickadees have moved in - you will see a lot of them from now on - I hope. These tiny birds seem fearless and friendly. ATB! More to come.....

Many of these!

The spiders have reached their full size - but not much time left for them now. They are also in danger from the hunting wasps.

The Wasps Are Swarming

As well as the hornets, bees, and a number of other flying critters. The urge to gather in more food becomes frantic as the weather gets colder.

The ferns are finished...

But the black eye susan is hanging in there.

Finished for the Season (Echinacea magnus)

But promises to be many more blooms next year. It's all part of the cycle.

I have no idea...

It's a small tree loaded with berries. I have no idea what it is though I notice the birds seem to avoid it. Do you know what it might be?

Baloon Flower

This wild flower is still adding new blooms in spite of the cool weather.

Wild Rose Shrub

This strong shrub refuses to quit - wild and wonderful

Smoke Bush

New growth for next year.

New Life on Cedar

Fuzzytail!!

Well, if the birds like it -why not? It's a scream to watch him try and climb the slender iron rod that holds the bird feeder - when it's wet from the rain he gets near the top - and slides down as if the pole were greased. Naturally, true to the code of all squirrels - he (or she) never gives up.

Sign of the Time (of year).

The sedum does not seem to attract butterflies.

New Friends Have Arrived

A flock of black capped chickadees arrived at the retreat two days ago. With a little luck they may stay the winter. They seem to enjoy the food at the small feeder. Among the wild birds they seem to probably be the easiest to make friends with. More photos to follow!

Risky Attraction yellow jacket hornets!

The bamboo is in it's full glory. The blooms attract just about everything including almost the full range of stinging critters. Bees, wasp, hornets. It's not an area I want to push my way through right now, but the bamboo surrounds the north-east corner of the retreat. What a spot to photograph these insects.

Fall colors

This will be a deep red by the time the snow falls. It seems to attract mostly the bumble bees.

Yet this is no garden of Eden.

Can you see what is lurking there to catch the unwary? Yet this is also a dangerous place for her. There are hunting wasps frequenting the area, and this is one of their special treats to feed their emerging grubs.

Summer Storms

We probably won't see any more of this type of sky until next year. Nature is getting ready for the next act in the seasons.

Blooming Bamboo

The babboo is now as high as the roof of the retreat. With the hot weather we are having it should be in full bloom by tomorrow. The bees and hornets are already checking it out.

Ohhhh Yummy!

I had put this empty jar of peanut butter outside - with the top on - meaning to clean it out later and toss it into the recycling. Well come the evening my friendly, (but wild) - local raccoons found it but were unable to take the top off. Later Ms. Skunk came along and carefully - with considerable skill - removed the top and complately cleaned out whatever peanut butter was left. All ready for recycling. BTW, Ms. Skunk was so into her treat she was completely unaware (or did not care) that I was only about three feet away taking pictures.

On Making Friends?

This youngster has become quite used to my presence. Still, I do have to watch where I put my feet in the dark! Though I have a feeling he or she would not object, I don't think I want to even try had feeding treats just yet. There is something about a skunk that demands at least some respect. (Smile).

Summers End is Near

Still beautiful, but it cannot be long before this last one vanishes. Next spring seems a long way off at this point.

Another Visitor

A beauty,perhaps some type of swallowtail butterfly,but I'm only guessing. There was also a humming bird moth, but it was moving too fast for me to get a clear photo.

Don't Be Fooled....

This is Chloe as she arrived with her small family last night. No, she is notangry at me - she is simply eating. But boy, she would make a great ad for the benefits of flossing. (GRIN).

A Thoughtful Moment

This is Chloe again, looking very thoughtful as she watches her three grown-up youngsters enjoying some - I guess it's breakfast for them. It seem that Chloe did have three kits this year. All looking very healthy and strong - even Chloe looks better than I have seen her in years.

Charlie Watching as I Photograph the Others

At least I think it was Charlie. He was sitting right beside my left foot munching on kibble as I was taking photographs of his siblings. What a character!

Kimmie ready for winter

All fat and ready for winter. Kimmie is one very big raccoon! She is seldom with her brood now. Though they are still sticking together now, they are pretty well on their own.

They grow so fast!

This is just a quick photo of four of Kimmie's kits - now mostly full grown. A few months ago they were hardly bigger than your thumb. The red water dish in the background is 15 inches in diameter.

I just got lucky...

The hummingbird (one word?) moth came back. These are very fast moving, just like a real humming bird, though smaller. This species of moth is a daytime flyer. (And I think the only moth that is).

Humming bird moth

These guys don't sit still for an instant!

At Last - a new arrival..

The butterfly bush is starting to live up to it's name. I'm pretty certain this is a monarch. A little over a week ago I almost got a photograph of a hummingbird moth. (Oh boy are they ever fast)!

Not Yet - I hope!

Just a reminder for me to get out there and take lots of photos of summer flowers and animals. (Smile)

The Pumpkin is still blooming.

Rampant Raccoon

I posted this one a long time ago, but it's still one of my favorite. Whlie he may look vicious - it's not true. This early full grown youngster is simply chewing on some dry, hard food.

Yes, More Banana - and Charlie Raccoon.

Hey Guys, Soups On!

More antics by our local jokers. Last night I went to put the garbage cans out for collection in the morning. Charlie is sitting on top of one, and the other three are all around - just waiting, I guess. Well there was no objection as I moved the cans out to the street, and they took my invitation and followed me back to the retreat for some real food. What characters. They may be wild - but boy, are they smart!

Ahhh, love that banana!

Yes, thats Charlie again. I think the storm we had last night upset their normal feeding times. Charlie showed up this morning with his sister - very hungry
.

AT THEIR BEST!

Whats for dessert?

Yep,this is Charlie showing off. What a character.

Almost Finished for this year.

May I?

This is Charley's sister. Cute, but quite shy.

Young Charley is just relaxing.

Charlie, (one of Kimmie's kits) - takes the prize this year for being the most 'outgoing' of all the young raccoons.

Looks like a good tomato year.

And the Moose Came Back...

Risky indeed, between a few local cats that pass by now and then - and the raccoons, this little fellow still dashes out to grab small bits of whatever food is available. The surprising part is this tiy critter seems to be more active in the daytime.

The Moose Under the Hoose! ;)

Caught his picture! Normally I only see this tiny critter at night as his eyes shine like headlights in the IR camera light. He moves fast - I suspect if the raccoons ever saw him he would be a fast dinner for one. This is the first time I have seen this mouse in the daytime. He was falling all overhimself trying to drag that bit of bread back to his home under the retreat. At least that gave me a few seconds to grab a few pictures.