Tails from Quail Trail

One of the gardens in my front yard has a new development, the multi hole home is built under some evergreen ground spreaders and houses a family of meadow voles. These guys are pretty camera shy, I got the snap from 20′ through my dirty glass window. They’re so cute, what little fatties.

I dropped my brush on the floor, black paint splattering the pale oak cabinets and seeping into the beige grout, I jumped to the window where the feathers were still hanging, shit a cardinal hit hard. I threw on my shoes and ran outside, there he was a young male cardinal lying dazed in a bed of leaves. I carefully picked him up and gave him a once over checking for injuries, all appeared fine. I carried him to the front yard where we could sit in the sun until he felt strong enough to fly, I wish I would have grabbed a jacket, it is February after all. His little face was so beautiful, his dark black eyes offset by long red lashes appeared alert as he perked up when he heard other birds calling.  We sat on the steps for around half an hour when he started to wiggle in my hands, I removed one hand to see if he was ready to leave but he seemed quite content to sit a while longer with me, probably enjoying the warmth of my hands. I brought him to the back yard where he could fly quickly to a protected area, as I approached the roses he picked up his little head, flapped a few times, crapped  in my hand and flew off into the thick cover. I’m happy he recovered:)

Psyched my Orchids are blooming!

Finally got some time to go through some photos from the summer. I miss the chipmunks they were such a treat to have:)

What fantastic weather we’re having this winter, a nice break from the last few snowy years;-)

For the last couple of months my neighbors have been telling me about the adorable fawn and doe that have been nibbling their way through their flower gardens and shrubs. Today was my lucky day, I finally got to see the youngster on my patio, the spots on his back have faded almost completely, but you can still see a few near his tail.

 I was cleaning up around the garage doors when I flipped over this steel tray with a complete snakeskin attached. My first reaction was, how cool! How cool quickly turned into SHIT, that means there’s a snake this large living outside my garage!

A few days later my sister offered to help me clean out my garage, we started pulling out all my garden equipment, horse paraphernalia, surf boards and …there it was it all it’s slithery glory, that feckin snake took up house under my surf boards!!! First I have to say I’m not usually a screamer and neither is my sister, I stress the NOT USUALLY, I screamed like B flick chic in a Wes Craven film.  That bastard was big. My sister grabbed a shovel and rake and in between screaming she was able to scoop up our reptilian friend. As she sprinted down the driveway, she screeched out, “where should I put him?” I shrieked “across the street!” Then from across the street my neighbor Barbra chimed in “Wha wha??  hahah oops Barbara got a snake delivery;-)