Monday, June 2, 2014

Catching Up

I have been so super busy over the last week getting ready for a kitchen renovation there has been little time to do much else.  To top it all off, a really bad case of sciatica hit me after a long hike and has had me off my feet quite a bit.

Off and on today when I would walk outside, I kept hearing this fast little chirping sound.  I had spotted the juvenile Cowbird and kept trying to see which bird got sucker-punched.  Late this afternoon I finally saw as a Carolina Wren was frantically trying to find enough to feed the young bird that was twice the size of the poor wren.

It really made me quite mad to think that the young wren chicks probably did not make it and were pushed out of the nest by this bird.  The photo is not the best as it was getting late and light was funky.

Just before dark I walked out on the deck and noticed some movement at the disappearing fountain.  Normally I do not kill snakes but sorry, this Copperhead was too close to the house and my dog walks in that area.

I went to get the hoe and had a little bit of trouble trying to get it among the rocks.  It was striking out at me so I was trying to be very careful.  I felt sort of bad but just could not risk the dog getting bitten.....or me.

As it was now almost dark and I really did not want to walk down get it over the fence, I draped it over a stump.  Head removed I am going to be curious as to whether anything will get it tonight or one of the hawks in the morning.  Did a quick set up of the trailcam so see if anything comes tonight.




4 comments:

glbuzzell said...

Good to see your post, Paula. I was beginning to wonder if all was ok with you.

A Copperhead!! That puts fear into a Maine gal where we don't have any poisonous snakes. Glad that you saw him before he found you or the dog.

What is a disappearing fountain?

Coppertop said...

Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. Missed your posts and photos.
I'm with Gladys on the snake comment and question, just what is a disappearing fountain?

Nature Girl said...

Hi Gladys, Just have been very busy with the kitchen. I will be glad when it is done. Just remember, you are in NC now and yes, there are poisonous snakes where you live. Glad I saw it first too.

Nature Girl said...

Hello Liz, Yes, sciatica really sucks. Several days of limited walking seems to have been the ticket to it feeling better. For both you and Gladys, a disappearing fountain is where water bubbles up through the rock and goes back in to the reservoir. I gave up on a fish pool because of raccoons and went with this.