The Ground Hog Is Still Hanging Out

The ground hog is still here and as taken up residence under the deck.  It use to live in a burrow at the end of the property outside of the fenced back yard but I think the appearance of coyotes is what drove it to the protection of the fenced back yard.

It does not bother anything and I enjoy seeing it so as far as I am concerned it can stay.  I am a little bit worried about it with the extreme cold headed this way as under the deck has gravel so I don't think it can burrow much.  This afternoon I did take some plastic and staple around the lower edge of the deck to help block any wind.

Yesterday between rain showers, it would come up on the deck to look around.  This is one shot through the kitchen window right before the hawk flew in and spooked it.  I also took a little bit of video so I hope you enjoy.

Autumn Ground Hog - A Sign of A Bad Winter?

After 7 weeks of my camera being sent back to the factory for repairs, I finally got it back about two weeks ago.  After cleaning up the mess in the yard from Hurricane Matthew, I have had an opportunity over the last several days to try it out.

Over the last four days, the ground hog has been coming every day and gorging on acorns.  The acorns this year are large and their numbers are extraordinary.  In February the saying is that if the ground hog sees its shadow there will be six more week of winter.  I wonder if the ground hog sees its shadow in autumn if it means an early winter?

The first day I spotted the ground hog in the yard it was a bit skittish.  Over the last couple of days of my standing quietly at the window, it has finally realized I am not going to hurt it.  Day before yesterday it got so bold that it came up on the deck!  I was quite shocked when it did that.

Early this morning when a hawk flew in, the critter ducked in to the shed where I keep the lawn mover.  After a few minutes peering out until the hawk flew off, it finally came out.

Ground Hog

I was out in the yard this morning trying to spot some warblers when the ground hog came waddling by.

I couldn't believe it stopped right in front of me and sat down.  I was moving very slowly trying to raise the camera up.  He/she was almost too close to get the lens to focus well.  I figured if I moved it was gone so I got what I could.

All of a sudden as if it realized I was there, it took off through the woods.  I was curious and checked and supposedly they do have good eyesight so maybe it was just checking me out.  Regardless of the reason it stopped, I appreciated the chance for a good shot.