I love that my dogs are not prey driven or go nuts at the sign of other living things in the yard (with the exception of Grammy and Grampy and other favorite human visitors...nuts does not begin to describe it, LOL!). They do, however, serve as a great alert system when there is something of interest out there I might love to see.
Take, for example, the scenic dog couch. Strategically placed for comfortable observation of the great outdoors. (Thanks boys for the great pose to show the folks out there!)
Bernard was sitting up there yesterday afternoon, perusing his kingdom. As I watched him I noticed a very slight change in his demeanor....the ears went up a little and he was no longer just looking, he was intently watching something specific. He didn't make a noise or move really...but I knew there was something! So I trot over to take a look. (with Boo and Marly right behind me, because they could tell by MY reaction there just might be something good out there!)
Lo and behold we had a visitor! One of our local coyote was out scrounging around. Recognize the green fencing on the ground? Yup...following the same basic route as our little foxy friend a few days ago.
She poked around outside for a few minutes then ambled off down my long driveway. I didn't like that she was heading toward the more populated area during the day...you know how people are..."Oh my god it's rabid, it's out during the day..."etc, etc! (They are SO misunderstood and persecuted!) But a few minutes after she disappeared I walked down to check on things and I noticed her tracks veered off into the woods before going down near the other houses.She looked great and there is no reason to suspect any problems, and she was definitely smart enough to avoid the populated area.
They are out there during the day folks, they have just adjusted their wandering habits around people to the dark (usually), when their biggest enemy can't see them! Perhaps our girl here was pulling double duty to find more food because she's eating for 3, or 4 or 5 now?! Oh I would love to get a glimpse of some pups this spring!
All I know, what a pleasure it was to have the opportunity to observe her! It beats the pics on the cooncams I have out there for sure! And..... at least it was at a decent hour, instead of at 3am when they wake me yipping outside my window and it's too dark to see anything anyway!
How awesome was that visit! And you got such great photos!....:)JP
ReplyDeleteokay- I missed a post so had to go look- that little fox is adorable!! I wish I would see a fox on my property!! I think my dogs scare them away- my dogs are not as polite as yours-lol! Speaking of dogs- yours are all beautiful- but my goodness does Bernard realize how incredibly gorgeous he is??? What a beauty!!! I don't understand people that get freaked out by wildlife. For one thing- we invaded the space they thought was theirs. No one gave them a rule book when humans came into that space saying- okay..now you have to stay out. Second, most times the poor animal is much more scared of us than we are of them. I think it's a little sad that mankind can't share space with wildlife better. Who is doing a better justice to the planet- them or us? Maybe we could learn something from them. Thanks for grabbing your camera- these pictures are fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteThanks JP and Kim....well said!
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