Meadow Mueller 07/2003 - 04/2015

Meadow Mueller 07/2003 - 04/2015

March 15, 2024

S**T! Distemper

The other week I got home pretty late one night after doing a bit of shopping after work.  It was about 11 PM when I pulled into the driveway.  I saw a raccoon out on the sidewalk and thought "oh cool!"  A raccoon in Toronto at night is pretty common.  Next thing I know he is between my car and the one next door.

Interesting and really not that odd around these parts.  Most will scurry off to safety but some linger around, being used to people and I'm sure some do expect a hand out as many feed these animals.  As I unloaded the couple bags from the car, he moved in closer.  Don't mind the below image and its shape, unintentional artistry.  

Next thing for me and this raccoon is it following me up the steps to our porch/front door.  Okay, now this is getting weird and concerning.  I was fearing something was wrong with him like distemper but held out hope he was just overly tamed by someone around here.  It was too dark to really get a good look at him, and our Christmas lights are still up, emitting a light blue light to everything.

And as I went back to the car, he would follow me there.


Whenever I stopped, he would start to grab my shoes and pant legs.  A red flag that I didn't want to see.

With it being so late now and I was so tired, I had to shut out the situation and would look out for him in the morning.  I still had this silly hope that he was not sick.  As I was about to go inside, he came to me one more time.  Photo edit to B&W and I could see his eyes were maybe not quite clear.

I was out of bed around 7:20 AM and went to look out to the backyard.  I do this every day.  Will I see a screech owl at the box?  Will I see our feral cat friend Dusty down by the shed waiting for breakfast?  And on this morning, will I see the raccoon?  My answer to that last question is "yes".  He was wandering down at the back seemingly without a purpose, just going back and forth.  S**T!

I was barely dressed and didn't have the coffee on yet.  I threw on my coat, yes I had pants on, and went down to investigate.  As I neared the raccoon, he quickly came to me.  Again, like the night before, started grabbing my shoes and pant legs.  Why do they do this?

I had a better look at him and sadly his eyes were crusty and runny.  I take pictures for potential blogs and social media posts but also in times like this, it's great for when I need to report something to the wildlife centre or animal services.  Look how bad his eyes are!

In the past, before I knew anything about distemper, I would have taken a hundred pictures of the animal and left him, knowing he wasn't well, but having no idea what was wrong.  Then even just a few years back I would have hummed and hawed at this, not sure if I should call it in as I knew it would be euthanized.  That's a tough pill to swallow.  You catch the sick animal who then will be "destroyed".  No, please, not the cute little raccoon!  And to now in the present, knowing it is the best thing for him and the other animals.  He will not suffer any longer, getting worse.  He will not spread it to the other animals.  While we don't have minks who can get it, and there's few coyotes wandering around, there are a lot of raccoons and skunks (who can also get it).  Oh, then there's the dogs who are vulnerable if they aren't up to date on their shots.  There's a lot of people who will argue this, stating we have not given the animal a chance to get better.  I just had it out with someone yesterday online about this.  They told me to not jump to such a conclusion which I did not, I only suggested it could be and to look for other signs regarding a raccoon in someone's yard during the day grabbing the person's shoes and pant legs.  Every day this week I have seen post after post about people seeing raccoons out during the day, just wandering aimlessly.  

Okay, back to the story...

I knew he had to be contained.  I got a large carrier from the shed.  I found a plastic lid and put some peanut butter as well as some stinky wet cat food on it.  I put the carrier on the ground with the door open and the bait inside.  The raccoon caught the scent of the food and a few times only stuck part of its head inside and then quickly backed out.  He would then go for my shoes again.  I kept turning in circles with him, trying to keep the carrier door facing him.  A few more times his head went in and then he'd back out again.  I tried tapping on the back of the carrier which got his attention and even had him go a little further in, only to quickly back out.  So close!  I saw one of the plastic snow shovels leaning against the fence.  A light went on in my head.  I grabbed the shovel, held it with one hand and then knelt down, tapping on the back of the carrier.  The raccoon went to the carrier, put his head in, right up to his shoulders.  In a flash I used the shovel, gently but firmly, I pushed his back end into the carrier.  I tilted the carrier up, so the door was facing the sky, and shut and locked the door.  The plastic floor, with the help of gravity, made the raccoon slide to the other end, allowing me to do this.  I should add that he had a moment of clarity during this and he tried to get out but he couldn't get a grip.  I threw a towel over the carrier and that was that.

I called 3-1-1 and filed a report.  Soon after someone from Toronto Animal Services called me and asked me a handful of questions, mostly regarding my observations of the raccoon.  He then wanted confirmation that it was contained.  They are quicker to come out knowing the animal is contained than follow a report of one looking sick and freely wandering around.  They have limited resources and cannot "waste" time coming out for an animal who may not even be there when they arrive.  You don't have to get it into a carrier if that isn't possible, but even a box over it and someone staying with it until they get there is very helpful.  The man thanked me for all my help and making their job all that much easier.  Then within the hour someone came for him.  The person was very nice, gentle and had the patience and care for the raccoon.  Instead of forcing it out of the carrier, she held up a net to the door and waited until the raccoon came out on it's own.  It only took about 10 minutes and we had a low tone conversation while waiting.  The chat was eye opening and educational for me.  We talked about a past awful outbreak of distemper where they were collecting between 100 and 150 sick animals per day for over 2 weeks.  They were concerned about this spring and another outbreak since we didn't have much of a winter to slow the virus down.  I've since heard it has really hit the skunk population just north of us.

So, yeah, this happened about 2 weeks ago, and thankfully with all the raccoons that I have encountered since, none appear to be sick.  Let's hope it stays this way.  

Thanks for stopping in.  Have a great weekend if you are catching this blog on the day I posted it as it is Friday!!!!!  Cheers!




February 28, 2024

Changes

With Ripper and all the pigeons gone, the yard has a very empty feel about it.  Sure there are other squirrels out there, some are regulars which may get names once we are outside more often.  Maybe the pigeons will return one day in the spring.  But for now, it kinda makes me feel sad.  The owls are hit and miss to the box, more miss with this ridiculously mild winter lacking snow.  So, yeah, just blah...

In the fall I packed the dog house with fresh clean straw and the leftovers that I had got rammed under the shed.  You know, providing shelter for the wild ones if they need it.  Past winters raccoons, skunks and opossums have used these spots to hide out during the day or even spend a few days in when temperatures really dropped.  Again, with these mild temperatures, there's been few "guests".

Then, suddenly, a few weeks back, this feral cat started using the dog house and under the shed.  We'd seen this cat roaming the neighbourhood for at least 3 years now.  I can probably count on both hands how many times he has come through our yard over the years.  He was mostly seen out on the street and sidewalk.  He's a muscular tom cat and has seen some s**t in his life.  The scars on his face and one noticeable shoulder wound are testimony to that.  He walks with a bit of a limp too.  If only he could talk and tell of what he has been through.  He's very skittish and has little trust of humans.  I get that.  I don't trust a lot of them myself.

One morning on social media, there was a post about a fund raiser for some cat rescue.  I chimed in about this and that, and ended up sharing a picture of the feral cat here.  Next thing I know, I was being contacted by someone from the rescue and there was a discussion about doing a TNR with him.  What is TNR?  Trap, neuter, and release.  A great idea to help stop the spread of more feral cats.  The rescue has had some luck with homing some of these kittys but there's no promise to that.  I'd love to see him off the street and some place safe where he may be loved by some caring person who has the patience and understanding to work with him.  I'm sure he wouldn't be all "open arms" to suddenly being indoors after so many years of living on the street.

Since I am willing to work with this cat, I have to get him on a routine of coming here, a feeding schedule, and next will be to slowly lure him with food in a live trap.  Now here we are with a "yard cat". 

On the colder nights, I find him in our dog house.  Not that I go looking but when he hears me down back, he will run out of the house and go to the next yard over.  I always say "sorry" and step back.  I'm glad he is using the house.  I've since put a heavy towel across the entrance to give him more privacy.

He doesn't spend all day and night here but he is here more often than he has ever been.  It has been interesting watching him in the yard.  On cold sunny days he can be found snoozing on these 2x4's next to the shed.  The wood warms up in the sun and must feel good on his feet.  I took this picture from the kitchen window.  I didn't want to go out there and spook him away from this nice spot.

I am thankful that he doesn't chase birds or wildlife.  That would be a big problem here in our wildlife friendly backyard.  He walks past the juncos, cardinals and other birds, maybe gives them a glance and then keeps on moving.  He can run when he wants to despite that limp.

If I am not out there in good time with food for him, he comes out from under the shed and sits there looking up towards the house.  Haha!  Who is training who here?

Last week we were at the point of where he would sit safely on the other side of the fence from the shed but still only be about 15 ft from me and he would watch me.  Unfortunately something has happened to him in recent days.  Maybe someone was mean to him?  He's taken a couple steps back in the progress that we made.  He's back to being very skittish and really keeps his distance, or hides further back under the shed, sometimes out of my sight line but I am sure he can still see me.  

I'm disappointed about that but happy that he is still coming here everyday.  Hopefully in the not too far off future he will be caught, tended to, and maybe if we're lucky, be homed.  If not, he will be brought back out to "the street" here and at least won't help make kittens.

Angie has named him Dusty.  We watched a WWE documentary on Dusty Rhodes the other weekend.  Dusty had a hard life.  This cat has had a hard life.  There you go, his name is Dusty.

As people should realize, when you leave food out for an animal, you will most likely attract other animals.  Depending on where you are, mice, rats, raccoons, skunks, opossums, foxes, coyotes, other feral cats and who knows what else may come in to clean up the dish.  So far we've had a few visits from this guy.  We're okay with that.  He can use the help during the winter.  He's harmless and can be beneficial to have around.  

I know this is the same opossum that was around quite a bit back in the fall because of his scarred nose.  He hasn't been much of a regular the last 2 months but has shown up a few times in the last week.

You can see a very short video here of him enjoying his score of Dusty's leftovers.

Wish us luck in helping this cat.  And if you might have any suggestions on who or another organization that may help get him off the street and into a good home, please comment.  I don't think Toronto Animal Services would be a good choice as they have told me that good cats go into the adoption system whereas bad cats get euthanized.  They have too many cats coming in all the time and don't have the time or resources to work with cats with behavioral issues.

We have helped a few other cats over the years.

First there was Skittles who was living in our old shed for some time one winter.  It didn't take long to train her and get her accustomed being fed.  Then we worked on finding her a home, which Angie lucked out with someone through her work.  Skittles became Sabrina with her new family and has been living the life of a spoiled rotten princess ever since.  We had a reunion with her about 11 years after she was caught and homed.  It warmed my heart to see her even though I'm sure she didn't remember me.  So many mornings I was almost late for work, making sure she got fed before I went.  I was working days back then and having to leave home by 5:15 AM.

Then there was Smudge.  A lovey big boy.  We tried to home him but weren't so lucky.  I ended up taking him to Toronto Animal Services because having him in our yard wasn't Meadow approved.  She loved being outside, on leash and harness of course, and couldn't stand any cat coming to her domain.

He was such a handsome boy.

Meadow didn't care how good looking he was.  She hated him and really did want to hurt him.

I visited Smudge a few times at the shelter.  It pained me seeing him a cage.  I was told that he got adopted out after a few weeks.  I hope that was true.

Then, last but not least, there was Sinatra.  A tiny black kitten that found his way to our backyard and realized that under the shed was a great place to hide from anything that freaked him out.  I worked quickly on this cat as I know helping a little kitten, or getting a little kitten help is much easier than helping an adult.  I'm forever thankful that the Toronto Cat Rescue immediately put their hand up to take him in if I caught him.  Three days after he appeared here, he was caught and some weeks later the mother of someone from the couple that were fostering him adopted him.  

Sinatra was adorable.  What kitten isn't?  We played with a ball out back a handful of times before he went away.  I still have that ball in the shed all these years later.  I am immediately taken back to that time with him.

Him and his ball.  Did you just go "awwwwwwwww!"?

So maybe "Changes" is not the perfect title to this blog but the whole yard vibe certainly has changed this winter.  If you told me even just months ago that I'd be trying to help a cat, welcoming it to hang out in our backyard, I would have said "you're high!"

I'll be back soon with some wildlife photos and bits.  Cheers!


January 25, 2024

*sigh*

I'm feeling a little down lately.  The dark dreary days that we have been experiencing this January are a big factor.  Obviously there's something else, something animal related, otherwise I wouldn't be blogging about it...  I'm missing my animal friends.

For starts, Ripper disappeared in June of 2023 when all the new young squirrels started emerging from nests around us.  He's done this before in his elder years (5 months the previous year).  My take is that he just didn't want to be bothered with these young'uns and perhaps the competition.  He always came back.  I am aware, as much as I hate to admit it, that one day he wouldn't return.  I'm guessing that is the case this time.


I won't lambaste yas with a ton of photos of Ripper.  I think everyone who knows me or of me through my blogs and social media pages knows about this squirrel.  He was awesome and a highlight to the day anytime he came around over the 6 years.

Then we befriended a chipmunk in 2022 that Angie named Boop.  She was a real character and quickly took to being friends with us.  Boop made quite a tunnel system in our yard and overwintered with us.  I remember the day in late February 2023 when she emerged.  We never had something like that before with a chipmunk.  

Knowing she lived in our yard and slept underground down there through that winter was a sweet feeling.  One day I should blog about all the creatures that sleep in our yard, that we know of.

We do get chipmunks from time to time around the neighbourhood but none are ever long lasting.  Too many free roaming cats is one of the main reasons they don't last.  I also suspect there's a few around us with rodent traps.  Traps do not discriminate.  Boop disappeared last July.  I'd rather not think about what happened to her.  Just know that this tiny little girl touched our hearts and was a pleasure to get to know over the one year she was with us.  Morning coffee on the back deck in the summer was highly entertaining with her.

Then late summer, over the Labour Day long weekend, Gulliver too went MIA.  I blogged about her a few months ago.  She was an awesome pigeon friend; well they all are but some stand out more than others.  I always looked out for her and babied her.  I don't know what happened to her and I still hope that maybe one day she will return.  As time passes, that hope fades.  I remind myself of Pierre's long absences, and Charlie's too which broke Pierre's record for days away by a long shot.  Fond memories come to me as I look at all the pictures that I took of Gulliver over our time together.




A lot of the pigeons disappeared that weekend, or soon after.  The air show scared the heck out of them.  Then the fall migration brought in the cooper's hawks.  A few pigeons hung on to the 'hood as a feeding spot despite the dangers that lurked.  A couple birds, that I know of, lost their lives to the hawks.  One pigeon was unwell and became an easy target.  Then just last weekend, one lone bird came in early Sunday morning and *BOOM*.  That last pigeon was the only pigeon I had seen anywhere around here in over a week.  Since then, zero pigeons anywhere around here, not even on the wires along the main road.  I've been blessed with "pigeon friends" since the summer of 2012 when Pierre first flew into our lives.  Who ever thought that could have happened, befriending so many pigeons?  Who ever thought that there would be an end to all of this?  Maybe I am being over dramatic?  Maybe some of them will return?  Or, eventually, as the weather turns to spring, the hawks move along to nesting territories away from here, new pigeons will discover our yard, and maybe see me as their friend?  Time will tell.  In the past, there has been some dry spells but things feel different this time.  I've always said that I'd rather them be elsewhere, hopefully safer, than here and becoming prey.  I still mean that but man I do miss them.  It's only a few minutes out of my day, but it's been every day, well almost, for over 10 years.  Surely you can understand my sadness here.

If anyone would like to get the scoop on the whole pigeon thing, I ask that you check out the blog link I am adding.  I did it for Bird Canada a few years ago.  It is called Pierre and the Flock  

Happier blogs coming soon.  I promise.  I will get myself out of this.

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As for those who have asked me about how to follow my blog since Blogger took away the notification thing, at least that is what it seems to me with what happened.  I don't know what to tell you.  Angie, not my wife Angie, but the other Angie who commented in the last blog about this and what Blogger told you to do.  I will look into this on my end; but believe me when I say that I am not much of a "tech geek" so having me figure it out may not be an option.  HAHA!  I will try though.  Thank you for your kind words and wanting to follow me on these "adventures"!

January 5, 2024

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to anyone who may be out there.  I hope you had a wonderful holiday season however you chose to spend it.

For us, we went for a walk at last night on new year's eve to a nearby green space.  We know where some long-eared owls have been roosting and I suggested that we visit the area just before dark in hopes to see the owls fly out from the large conifer that they hide in.  It's something to see any owl flying about at their own will, a natural thing, and not being flushed by a human encroaching on their space and scaring them to fly away.

It was a dark and cloudy day, and by the time we arrived at the location, the snow had started to fall.  Nothing major but enough to make things darker, and wet.  We saw a pair of coyotes under the grove of trees which was nice.  They were big healthy animals who took notice to us, watching us from a distance for a moment before moving along.  One animal went east and the other went west.  I managed to get one relatively clear photo before they left.

Then moments later out came one of the long-eared owls.  It landed on a branch just above where that coyote just was.  I like this capture of the owl's silhouette.

The owl flew around a bit, landing back at that branch.  I wandered around the grove of trees.  I spotted it again in the now almost total darkness.  I forgot to bring my glasses so I couldn't see my camera screen well enough to adjust my manual settings.  I fumbled with the buttons, remembering what does what, adjusting things and then pointed the camera at the owl, hoping to get something.  This is what I got.  I think I will share it to that Facebook group "Crap Wildlife Photography".  HAHA!

I made my way back around to where Angie was standing and just watching the trees for any movement.  Soon another owl flew out, and then another, and then another, and then another.  In the end, we were quite certain that we saw 8 long-eared owls fly out from these trees.  All soared across the field to another cluster of trees to the west.  It was neat to see despite not being that long lasting.  I guess that was for the better since the snow was getting heavier, it was new year's eve and we had other plans at home for the evening.  A nice nature outing to end 2023.

Now with the precipitation, I had hoped it would bring Little Al the eastern screech owl to our box in the backyard for the next day, New Year's Day.  It would be unique to say that the first bird of 2024 was an owl as most years it was a cardinal (nothing against cardinals, I love them too).  I told Angie that no matter how late we stayed up that I wanted to be out of bed by 7 AM so I could watch the "owl box".  We were in bed around 12:40 AM and next thing I know is Angie is poking me in the side and informing me that it was 7:18.  I was disappointed that it was 18 minutes later than the time I wanted to be up.  Why?  In past views of Little Al in the morning, he's in the box by 7:10-ish.  I debated for a moment as I lay in bed.  The thought of getting a little more sleep was very appealing.  In the end, I got up at 7:21.  

I found my clothes on the floor in the dark bedroom and walked out to the kitchen.  I opened the shutters and struggled to see the face of the box from the window as it was still quite dark outside.  I could make out that there was an owl at the entry hole.  Yay, Little Al was the first bird for 2024!  Now that I'm awake, I decided to step out to the deck for a better look and take a picture of the first bird.  A couple photos, then I put my bins on him for a nice memorable view of him with my own eyes.

I'm content and about to go back inside when suddenly I see from the corner of my eye an owl flying to the tree along the fence line!  It landed on a broken branch stump.  OMG, there are two screech owls in the yard!!!!!  I point my camera at this bird and take a few photos.  Thankfully it sat still for 15 seconds before it flew to the box.

I like this photo even if it is grainy since the natural lighting in the early morning was lacking.  I put it on my AI app and made it a little better, at least I think so.

I went back inside, going to the bedroom to inform Angie that there were two screech owls in the yard.  She told me that was her thought just as she had gone back to sleep, there will be two owls today.  She decided to get up, figuring she wouldn't get back to sleep again now, and headed to the kitchen for a look out the window.  One of the owls had its head sticking out the hole so her first bird of 2024 also was a screech owl.

I have to admit that in the last few weeks I suspected that there may have been two owls.  I had no proof though.  Why did I think this?  Behaviour.  Little Al is a very chill bird.  I can be outside and he pays almost no attention to me.  I don't abuse this privilege but if we do encounter each other out there, he ignores me for the most part, and just zones.  Then a couple times I have found that the owl at the box has been glaring at me.  One morning it spooked and flew out of the box, going to some cedars a few yards over.  Then as I went back inside, the owl returned to the box.  Little Al has never done that.  Now with two birds, both looking the same, I am extra cautious and treat both as the skittish new bird.

The evening of new year's day had us watching the box, to see if we could see both owls leave.  We saw an owl head.  Then it went back in the box.  Then an owl head again.  Another retreat inside.  Then a head again.  It was 5:18 PM, totally dark out, but we saw an owl leave the box.  Seconds later it was followed by the second owl.  Awesome!

Interesting is with the second owl, now they're both being quite elusive.  We've been monitoring the box the best we can from the kitchen.  Me in the morning and Angie at dusk because of our different work hours.  We aren't heavily monitoring but are making some effort to look out for them a little more.  No owls have been seen but that doesn't mean they aren't in there.  As I key this, I can see the kitchen window from the living room and the box as well.  Blue jays have attacked the box a few times so that's a pretty good sign someone, or both, are in there today.  My thoughts have been swimming with if they chose to nest here this coming spring.  Oh man!  The excitement.  The stress and worry over baby owls.  It will be something.

Here's a newly fledged screech owl that I saw a few Mays ago.  Adorable, eh.


So, again, happy new year to you.  How did you spend it?  I look forward to reading about it in the comments.  Cheers!


November 6, 2023

Coyote Encounter

Last week Angie and I were on vacation.  I put my camera to use despite my 500 mm lens isn't always working properly as the image stabilizer konks out periodically making for some crappy photos.  The lens is almost 12 years old now and probably needs to be retired.  I've got some saving to do before I can get a replacement.  Poor man problems, you know...

Anyway, we saw "nature" a fair amount last week while off and it has made for some good short blogs like the one I am about to key in here if I can stop rambling.

We went for a walk in an area down the Humber River from us one morning.  There was quite a few dog walkers around which didn't make great for seeing birds and wildlife, especially when the dogs are off leash.  A couple of woman with 2 off leash dogs came up from behind us on a path, we let them pass and get well ahead of us so we could hopefully stay on a peaceful path.

At some point we ended up catching up with them and they were back tracking.  The one woman said to watch out as there was a coyote up around the bend, not moving and just watching them.  They were backing away but this obviously got our curiosity.  We don't see coyotes very often and here we are in the woods with a lot of colorful leaves on the ground.  Maybe I could get a nice photo for our next year's calendar that we make for us, as well as family and friends.  We get around the bend and the coyote is no where to be seen.  We continue along this lovely forested path and hear angry blue jays and crying squirrels.  The coyote probably came through here.

We got out of the wooded area and into a small field of tall grass.  There was a man going through the field with his dog off leash.  Then for a split second I saw the coyote come up from a spot near them and then quickly moved along and away from this human and dog duo.  It disappeared as fast as it appeared.  Angie and I stayed on the paths and headed out to the driveway before going to check out another area for wild ones.  The coyote came out on the driveway just ahead of me, had a quick look in both directions, before continuing forward to the next field.


We didn't see the animal again and hoped it had found a good place to rest for the remainder of the day and not be disturbed by people and or dogs.

I don't think the woman in the background of the photo had any idea about the coyote racing by behind her.  It wanted nothing to do with her little dog either.  Thankfully she kept it on leash while visiting the park, unlike so many others.

Too often when I hear people in the parks telling others about the sighting of a coyote, it's seldom in a positive way.  Like one of my friends said, it is like it is the big bad wolf.  This coyote really wanted nothing to do with any body, human or dog, and was just trying to stay out of sight and rest.  I'd hate to think what would have happened if someone's dog got in the coyote's face, in an aggressive manner, what could have come from that, and in the end it would be the coyote who got the blame for everything.

I always say that we live in our houses but the outdoors belongs to them.  We need to understand, accept and respect that.


October 26, 2023

Happy Day!

I had a bad sleep last night with a few wake ups throughout the night not of my own doing.  I found myself getting up around 6:40 AM which is much too early for a guy who only went to bed around 12:30 AM.  I put the coffee on and inhaled it rather quickly.  It was so early and now with the java in my system, going back to bed for some more sleep wasn't going to happen.  I decided to grab my jacket and jeans and go for a walk in a park nearby since owls are on the move now and I'd like to see my first saw-whet or long-eared owl of the season.  Just before I was about to leave, I heard a lot of ruckus coming from the backyard.  House sparrows were screaming and the blue jays were going absolutely ballistic.  I knew without a doubt that there was a predator in the yard; but what?  Or should I say "hooooooooo?"

It took little time looking before I spotted a blue jay almost face to face with an eastern screech owl in the tree near our back gate.  Immediately I asked in my head, "is that Little Al"?

A few blue jays strafed the owl as it sat in this tree.  Occasionally the owl hissed at the attackers.  As you can see, I went back for my camera and took some photos on this dark drizzly morning.  I also tried for a video which isn't easy using a 500 mm lens and no tripod (too early, too lazy are my excuses for not having it out there).

This all lasted for a number of minutes before the owl took flight and went straight into the box.  Seconds later it popped its head out and just stayed there at the edge, looking out and about the yard.  It was Little Al, that I am certain of.

He stayed like this for at least 30 minutes and eventually the other birds backed off, leaving him be, and then Little Al started to relax.  I took the pictures from the deck as I didn't want to add to his stress.  I know he knew I was there but I think he also knows that I really don't pose a threat, especially from this distance.  If you have read my past posts about Little Al, I can go about the yard when he is out there and he doesn't flush from the box or even retreat inside.  He barely looks at me.  Heck, last winter Angie made a snow angel not far from the tree while he sat up there, looking down at her.  I should add that video to YouTube for better sharing.  It was something to see.  How many can say that they made a snow angel in the presence of an owl?  Anyway...

Soon after he disappeared inside.  This is the view now from our kitchen window.  No owl to be seen and no birds screaming at the box.  One would never guess that there's one in there.

Here's to the start of a third year with him visiting during the fall and winter season!  

I should add that he shows up sometime in the fall and hangs out here throughout the winter and into March or April.  He's not here everyday, and last year it seemed to be only on the coldest or crappiest of days.  We could have him for two weeks solid and then he's gone for a week or so.  Then he's back.  He sure keeps us guessing.  We were already talking about him a few weeks ago, hoping to see him again this season and he's granted that wish to us.

I know Angie cannot wait to get home from work and hopefully see him later in the day.

October 24, 2023

Groundhog Hill

A while ago I discovered an online comic panel called Groundhog Hill on Instagram.  I was searching for raccoon comics, or anything with opossums and skunks, since these are our three fairly regular nocturnal visitors that I admire.

I'm not sure which actual comic first caught my eye but from then I looked further into this and was delighted to find more containing these animals.  They are great single panel comics with one sentence and often bring a smile to my face.  Who wouldn't want that every now and then?

Here are a few samples from Groundhog Hill...

Look, all 3 of the mammal crew in one panel!  LOVE!


My heaven most certainly would have a cute little opossum hanging out with me.

Then there's this one.  Unfortunately some don't see the humor in this as they despise raccoons so much.  Sad.

This one really tugged on my heart for a few reasons.

I do my best to promote Groundhog Hill on Facebook as I have a comic album where I share such things every now and then.

Not all the comics are animal related.

Sometimes you have to look for the animal.  Somehow I missed the raccoon the first time I saw the panel.

And sometimes the animals aren't wildlife.  Fur family members make for great topics.  Our cats do this once the chill sets in the air.  We recently turned on the furnace and both Merry and Molly found vents to lay themselves on.  HAHA!  My mom's cat often laid out like the one shown here.

I highly recommend checking out Groundhog Hill on Instagram.  They are on Facebook as well.  As an added story, if you are still reading this...

The artist of Groundhog Hill had an exhibit in Dundas, Ontario early in the fall.  They live in the area and Groundhog Hill is actually a place nearby.  It is part of their inspiration.  Making a long story short, Angie and I talked about the exhibit and checking it out while we were on vacation during my "birthday week".  Not that I celebrate my birthday all week but we normally take a week off around it as the weather is nice, finally breaking out of the hot humid summer.

Leading up to our vacation, Angie contacted Rose (the artist) and they got talking about us coming to the show.  Rose was delighted to hear this and made sure to be present on the day we were going.  She wanted to meet us as much as we to her.  She's been grateful of my support of her work.  So when we did meet that afternoon, it was wonderful to be face to face, and not "chatting" through social media.


Here we are, and me holding Rose's book that she gave to me as a token of appreciation/birthday gift.  Yay!  I can "visit" Groundhog Hill through the pages whenever I want instead of looking at my phone.  

Rose had an amazing run with her exhibit and it was almost a complete sell out.  We picked up this original, that apparently came to be through some inspiration because of my pigeon posts.  It says "I could do that!".  Hilarious!!!


Angie was wondering if Rose did commissions.  A quick browse of her website and we learned that she does.  Angie had an idea for one and funny as so did I.  Mine was a bench with a raccoon, skunk and an opossum sitting on it.  There was a sign nearby that said "Mueller Sanctuary".  I haven't come up with any one liners and maybe I don't need to.  Angie thought that was a cute idea but liked her's better which is a back view of me and some of our backyard critters.  You know, a pigeon in my hand, a raccoon near my feet and a few other species scattered about.  It would say "Rob and the Animals" at the bottom.  Wow!  I really like that idea.  

Skipping ahead... the commission is complete.  Angie has seen pics of it and teased me over the Thanksgiving weekend by flashing her phone screen past me rather quickly.  I could see well enough that it was the commission but couldn't take in any of what actually was there.  OH MAN!!!  We are planning to meet Rose at the end of the month when we are on vacation again.  So as I key this, we are still a few weeks away from the moment where I get to see it with my own eyes and not just this visual that I have drawn up in my head.  I'm sure I will love it  

Skipping ahead a little more... okay, here we are after the meeting which actually happened a week before vacation due to busy schedules, the commission is at home with us and I LOVE IT!!!!!  What do you think?  Raccoon, skunk, opossum family which I dream of seeing instead individuals (although we did have a mom here the summer of 2022 and the cam caught her with one baby), pigeon in my hand, squirrel in the tree and there's a little owl further up.  Then there's me with my TWC volunteer hoodie and my backyard crocs.  Perfect!


The world can be pretty dark and grim at times; escaping to Groundhog Hill sure is nice when possible.  I think we are going to visit the real place one of these days.