Passing Through

Last week, from Sunday through Wednesday, four young wild turkeys paraded across the meadow above the garden, down the wooded edges of the north ravine and out into the shady area at the west end of the property. There they pecked and meandered for some time before straggling up the south edge of the grassed-over lane and back into the hay of the upper meadow. When one of us stepped outside, the sound of the door opening and closing sent them into an awkward long-legged scramble for cover, no matter that they are already at a distance. 

Turkeys are common in the area and we often see them in various stages of growth; in the spring several hen turkeys usher  groups of youngsters about; only occasionally do we spot a mature tom.

Attempting to get photos of these visitors is a matter of using the zoom feature on my small camera, the results usually being a blurred rush of  fleeing forms.

The photos below are not of last week's group.

I am, perhaps unfairly, blaming the recent perambulations of the turkeys for the nasty little bites on my feet and ankles. Chiggers? Turkey mites? 

I should have remembered this isn't the season to stroll through the meadow without socks and a slathering of insect repellant!

During the winter of 2022 this small flock of guineas were frequent visitors. Guineas are noted for wandering habits. At the time we hadn't seen any in neighboring barnyards.

The guineas announced their presence with wittering conversations amongst themselves which always alerted our cats, who rushed to the windowsills to watch them stroll by.

During the course of the winter the group lost a few members, notably one of the two white ones. On their last appearance there were only five remaining. they faded away with no trace.

Raccoons are regular visitors, most often in late winter when food is scarce and in early summer when they are raising cubs. 

The raccoons pay little attention when we turn on the porch light.

The barn cats, Willis and Sally ignore them, often lounging a few feet away while the coons scrabble for leftover kibble.

If more than one raccoon appears on the porch there is often a scuffle, shoving, squealing.

Possums are likewise frequent visitors, unwelcome with their shuffling movements and their messy ways.

We haven't seen deer as often this summer as usual. that doesn't mean they haven't been around.

Usually there is a doe with twin fawns, once in awhile  young buck.

Deer have been known to invade the garden but their damage is minimal. They enjoy a nibble at green bean plants but are mostly content to enjoy the lush grass of the meadow.

This is [was?] Herman. Where ever we have lived feral toms have appeared. 

Herman was unique in that although he visited for nearly three years we could never approach him. His ramblings took him away for several days at a time, but until mid July he always reappeared.  His presence instigated what I call 'pissing wars' with Robert and Willis, both neutered, but inspired to retaliate when Herman anointed the front door or the steps--which he did with tiresome regularity.

He was a beautifully marked spotted tabby; I attempted to befriend him, coaxing, talking cajolingly, approaching slowly. His reaction was always to dart away, lurking behind a tub of flowers, eyes rolling warily. I thought of attempting to trap him, haul him to the vet clinic for neutering, but his demeanor was so offish I couldn't imagine him becoming less than feral.

It has been a month since his last visit; sadly, he is not missed. Our cats with outdoor privileges have settled down, there has been no more 'marking' of territory. 

During our second summer here a family of foxes had a den somewhere in the south ravine. The cubs were often brought to frolic in the shaded area around the small barn. One memorable morning I stepped to the bedroom window before sunrise to see the youngsters rolling and pouncing in the grass a few yards from the house. It has now been several years since we've seen a solitary fox crossing the meadow or trotting down the lane.

One winter a gimpy-legged skunk hobbled about in the snow near the barn. Although a waft of skunk perfume sometimes drifts in an open window at night I've not seen another on the property.

Last autumn grey squirrels were busy under the black walnut tree across from the garden, or gleaning acorns in the grove of trees near the small barn.

They seem scarce this summer. Jim suspects they may have become dinner for the pair of redtail hawks who hover over the yard. 

Scarcely a bluebird in residence this spring in spite of the messy hoard of them 2 years ago.

The sighting of any of these creatures can be random--we may not happen to be looking at the exact moment they ramble through. 

Visits from wildlife can bring challenges, some of them messy and annoying.

Sometimes I need to remind myself that most of them were here before we moved in and built a house!