Ky and I were out for our morning walk around 6am this morning and I noticed a fox in a fenced backyard. It turned and walked out of view. I looked closer and saw two kits on a woodpile. And then from the other side of the house I saw what I presumed was mama. Could be another family OR could be the one I saw down the street a month ago. I would think the pups would grow so this is likely another family. I've seen more fox in the last 9 months than the other 13 years we've lived here combined.
I was out Sunday afternoon with Kyanne and looked out in the woods from the fence as I often do and there was a Pileated Woodpecker on a tree about 15 feet off the ground and fairly close! I forgot my camera in the house and even though it's not a great camera for distance it seems better than my phone, so I ran back in to get it knowing I likely lost my chance at a decent pic.
It was still on the tree but lower to the ground. It flew off to another smaller tree and then quickly flew down to the ground. It started hammering on a fallen log and was mostly hidden in the weeds. I watched it for maybe 10 minutes. What struck me was how hard they hit with their beaks. Below is the best of what I was able to capture. I saw one flying in the woods a few weeks ago so this confirms they live in the area.
Walking Kyanne this morning around 6:15 I looked over and saw a Red Fox just sitting in a yard. Didn't seem bothered by us and Kyanne didn't seem impressed.
Zooming in with a cell phone isn't the best option but here's what I saw...
Our neighbor across the street posted a video of a fox and at least 3 kits by a shed in her deep backyard. Possibly the mama that I saw?
We have a pair of turkeys that have been hanging around more than usual. They like that my neighbor has bird feeders outside of his fence. We've been here 14 years, and I've never seen one fan his tail.
I did not realize that Barred Owls will hunt for earthworms. They are opportunistic hunters. I saw owls over three mornings after it had rained. Two of the days I saw in the same spot, and I saw them in the street, and you could tell they were grabbing something. Not great photos you can see where they were...
If it's sunny outside, I try to remember to take out my pocket camera in case I see something. It's not a great camera for zooming but does it faster than my phone and the pics are slightly better. Someday I will have a better camera for zooming in, but the best camera is the one you have with you.
I was out with Kyanne on Sunday standing at the top of my hill by the fence and movement in the woods caught my eye. It was a Pileated Woodpecker! Not my first sighting behind our house but it's not something you experience often so I grabbed what photos I could. It was hard to miss once you saw the size.
NOTE FOR FUTURE - We like "Sierra Red" mulch not just "red mulch". Put out new mulch as a refresh of our front yard.
BEFORE
I also planted a 6" mini-rose bush that Jane Ferguson brought for Cindy. We'll see if it takes hold like Barbara did. Just in time for a 25-degree night.
We've had quite a bit of turkey traffic recently. Even captured a fanned tail (it's mating season)...
