Baby bunnies and skunks

[Carma Sue Henry]

I watched a (?) Cooper's take a dove about 7AM.  The feeder area was full of Jay's, blackbirds, bluebirds and Doves.  They're usually so cautious but this fellow flew in very low - below most of the activity in the trees and feeders and snagged the dove before it had a chance to take flight.  It took it to ground behind some potted plants but I had a good view of it taking off with it's prize.  I've never seen an actual take down before. Dramatic start to the day.

We've had some very young rabbits venturing out onto the lawn the last few days... these look like Eastern cotton tails (long ears) although we've had Brush rabbits as well.  Today the mama skunk brought two babies out for a romp on the bank below the shop.  We think she's taken over the old ground squirrel burrows beneath the shop as there has been a definite odor inside it of late.  They can barely toddle and kept rolling downhill and tripping over each other.  So fun to watch - from a distance.  

We haven't seen either of the pregnant does for a few days.  Both were developing full teats so I hope they're both out in the woods tending to new borns.  Poor BD (Birthday-Deer, Boss Mom's male fawn from last year) is growing his nubby first antlers and getting pushed around by the previous years three girls.  I imagine he'll be chased off before too long.  The fawns usually get brought out mid-July.  Can't wait to see who shows up this year.

Carma Henry 

Logsden Ridge