We wanted to get those cardinals a little closer to the porch, so we set up the birdfeeder between a couple of (drought-wilted) azalaleas and under a redbud tree. I used the sign from the old Hollywood neighborhood where Maw-Maw lived; I'll always think of both my grandmothers whenever I see the "redbirds" chow down on top of the Madison streetsign.
I hand-watered the poor azaleas (along with buck's backyard and other randomly placed azaleas...they plumped back up, especially after the big rain. I also took advantage of Jack's presence to clear out a little hole for the temporary blind. Here's the before and after from the yard. We cleared and also cut the old barbed wire fence to allow a stealthy approach from the yard. Pajamas, slippers and a thermos of coffee is all you need if the urge to watch for deer strikes you while you're sitting on the porch on a frosty morn.
I snuck out there a little later in the afternoon and watched a giant black fox squirrel enjoying the corn, along with a couple of his cat squirrel cousins. I do have one picture of him on the trail cam highlights this week - no deer yet :>(
Denise has been making steady progress on the house. These shots show the contrast between the new, lighter color and what was there before.
Before we see who won the contest for the first critter shot from the porch, we'll look at this weeks' installment of "Tibo's Trailcam Highlights". Turkeys and coons were very common, along with squirrels and one surprise visitor.
I guess this is a Beauregard Parish corn dog...
And here is a very large black fox squirrel...I saw him in the flesh this afternoon, and I thought it might be a skunk at first.
I don't think I'll get much in the way of night pictures until I go to the Cuddebacks with a flash. The turkeys came at least once a day since last week, and the coons came every night.
And now for the porch kill story...it was well after dark on Friday night when the big rainstorm came through. Denise had turned on the washroom porch light to see how the water was draining off and detected movement in the lawn. It turned out to be a large snake on the move in the heavy rain. She called for me to get my gun, and I obliged by selecting the 12 gauge with a full choke and a 3" magnum shell filled with #4 shot. We went on the porch, and watched the base of the bush under which the serpent slithered. She had the spotlight trained on the spot we last saw movement and said "there's the head" between peals of thunder and flashes of lightning. I figured, close enough (about 15 yards away) and unleashed a little thunder of my own. Denise donned rubber boots, an umbrella and the maglight and went to investigate. She came back and said she didn't see anything. I said, we'll look again in the morning. She was up at the crack of dawn and re-visited the site with her snake chopper and this is what she found.
A big copperhead! It was 34" long, and I was quite glad she didn't have me shooting a rat snake or some other beneficial species. I think Steve Fell selected a snake as the first kill, but he chose a rattle snake. Even though he wasn't spot on to claim the fabulous prize, he did pick a pit viper so I guess he qualifies for the second level prize. Steve, call within 48 hours to claim your prize.
I like the lighter color of paint....makes the room look bigger
ReplyDelete