Unusual Critters in our Backyard

You will need to click on this picture to get the enlarged version. You then can clearly see a wood duck. He/She landed in late March (disregard the date on the pic). The mate was on the ground behind the fence. They stayed for 15 minutes or so and then decided this oak tree and the location was not appropriate for their nesting needs. Smart birds. Our neighbor's cat frequents our backyard daily looking for tasty morsels and quite oftens scores a mouse for his/her efforts. We are fans of the cat and cheer her onto victory. We also have a grey squirrel who has established a nest in the locust tree above the dog run. The squirrel seems to have trouble attracting members of the opposite sex. Yea!! Since the squirrel is entering his second year as a resident of our backyard, I am wondering if he has been exiled from the squirrel community for grevious wrongdoings. Out in the middle of acres and acres of wheat and onions would, me thinks, constitute severe isolation for a tree squirrel. We do have three oak trees that provide a plentiful supply of acorns. So squirrel food is not in scarcity. My Pennsylavania born and raised friends say I should encourage a robust population of squirrels because they make a very tasty meal. Their argument may make sense. We could benefit from the oak trees by feeding the squirrels and then reap the benefit of the oak trees at dinner time. Sure beats buying feed, feeding on a regular schedule, building a hen house just to have chicken dinner. I like the idea of no pain, no hassle for gain. Not sure if the wife would acquire a taste for squirrel, though. In fact, having thought this out a little further, I am sure she would not even attempt to acquire a taste for squirrel. I'll have to get grandson M over here for meals. I am sure he would like squirrel and be begging for more squirrel meals.

Well, got to go and tie some Prince Nymphs and JW Clouser minnows. They are very effective patterns in this neck of the sagebrush.


Happy hunting, CAT,
Papa Coyote