We have a Cooper’s Hawk in our neighborhood. Managed to catch this photo of him when he stopped to rest. We also have a cat (or two), deer, fox, probably a skunk, opossum, squirrels, rabbits, and of course, the unwelcome groundhogs.
The hawk (and cats, I think) hunt the birds frequenting the neighbor’s feeder and certainly the smaller rodents I cannot see. Occasionally, an owl will make itself known. Did you know that owls and hawks often have overlapping territories? They hunt the same prey, and if there is enough to sustain more than one of them, they can coexist.
Across the way, over yonder, the tall pines conceal turkey vultures roosting – a committee – before they take off to glide above us. It’s a sight to see on a windy day – if birds feel joy, the vultures are surely joyful on windy days.
Over the last year, and certainly in the first months of the pandemic, wild animals seemed to proliferate like never before. Images of fox making themselves comfortable in downtowns were common in the early days of lockdown. With humans off the roads and quarantined, animals reclaimed their ground. In a way, it was magical, even if we were all going stir-crazy in our houses. Now that we’re beginning to engage in activity, the once-bold wildlife is retreating back into the woods or only coming out at night, when the humans are less active.
I was away last week, looking after my son and another young man (and two dogs.) It was a particularly warm week, so I was certain that there would be flowers blooming in my absence. I was not disappointed upon my return. Forsythia and daffodils galore along the property line out back, and loads of daffodils in the front garden.
Unfortunately, the weather gods are planning a freeze overnight – with temperatures in the high 20s – and a chilly day tomorrow. I am always worried about these first flowers of the season. Last year, we had a quick freeze and half the daffodils froze before they could bloom. Their flower faces are so cheerful and bright, and bring such happiness, I made sure to bring some into the house – just in case the backyard blooms are destroyed tonight. And while they surely will fade fast in the vase, I can be guaranteed at least a few days of sunny blossoms in my kitchen to buoy the spirit.
Next week, I will be eligible for vaccination. My daughter’s college is polling the students on whether they should have a vaccine clinic at school (YES!). Our friends who are a little bit older are either fully vaccinated or soon to be. And while some would argue that being vaccinated doesn’t do much to stop the spread of the virus, it will give me some peace of mind that I won’t die if I’m infected. That I can be among people and not die from socialization.
That is something.