A-Z Challenge 2021 - Photo Shoot: M - Michigan Wildlife, Maxie,

 During our many visits to Michigan we get to see a lot of wildlife without having to move far from where we stay. Including this in the paddock - 

Rocky and Bambi share the food dropped from the bird feeder

Snapping Turtle from a nearby 'swamp'

Squirrels abound as well as deer beyond the lake.

And then there's Maxie waiting for the refuse wagon.

She just loved to roll in what the deer left behind. The stink she created was almost matched by how mad she became when forced to have a bath. She would go away and sulk in the dirtiest spot she could find.

Thematic Photography - Green

This week last year a shot in Michigan caught a squirrel in the act of sneaking across the grass.

But when we got home the green grass was strewn with apples.

This afternoon I have spent some time peeling apples to be stewed rather than being left to feed our local squirrels.

To see what other greens are available check out Thematic-photographic-424-green.

Later this week the most important greens will be those in France prepared for the Ryder Cup.

Trees - Thematic Photography

There are some village trees you become attached to, like these sycamores which stand next door to our front garden.

These beech trees has just been trimmed with the Council's approval. You are not allowed to 'butcher' them.

They are right next to the footpath and from the size of their girth they must have stood there for at least 200 years.

Further up the road is the nearest walnut tree to our bungalow - 400 plus yards away.

I wonder every year if this is where the squirrels get the nuts I keep finding, buried in our back lawn.

As you will have seen it's too early yet for any of these to be in leaf.

However with the horse chestnut in the local wood there are the first signs of things to come.

In the woods themselves there are different signs of life in the trees.

A tree trunk with its roots ripped out of the ground

But check out all the young trees and saplings that surround it, promising to more than fill the gap that it has left.

Elsewhere in the wood there is little left of what was once a tree.

Back home I find the sycamores' revenge in the gravel of our pull-in.

Last year I had to weed out nearly 2000 of the damned things!

Guess I'll need a rest before I get down to that. Just one set of trees to move first.

For the 'inspiration' behind this post just visit Carmi at Thematic-photographic-418-trees.

Summer - Thematic Photography

We have spent the weekend combating wasps. My wife found out the hard way that they were not amused when the clematis was being pruned and they attacked when disturbed. They had a nest in our bird box. The only way we defeated them was to drop the box into a bucket of water and hold it under with a house brick for 24 hours.

Other creatures are much less threatening in the summer sun.

Mouse on the Geum stalks to reach some seeds

This photo was taken from 15ft away and through the double glazed window of our lounge.

I also came across a youngster that was not in the least bit afraid.

Young Grey Squirrel

They must have known that it's summer time in the village this week.

Last Saturday it was the annual scarecrow competition. But what says it's summer in England more than a game of cricket?

He's just one in the tableau of - 

The Cricket Match

Twenty-six houses hosted scarecrows this year. I'll post more of them in separate blog posts as I did last year.

To see other summer events it will be worth your while to follow the links at Carmi's Thematic-photographic-298.

Life in the 'Wild'

Each year when we visit Michigan I try to get some wild life shots. Three dogs running around often makes this difficult. However I usually manage  to get a deer or two before they are frightened away.

Deer on watch

About to run

This chap stopped to pose.

Squirrel - where did it leave those nuts?

And one of the largest grasshoppers I've ever seen.

Grasshopper

The piece of metal to which is clinging is 3 inches deep.

Not much to show for three weeks - perhaps they were put off by the high temperatures at the time in September.

Caravans and Beasties - Sepia Saturday

I was in danger of going overboard when I saw this weeks prompt.

I knew I had some caravans from another North East fair that I had shown before.

Yarm Fair Caravans c 1949

Apart from goldfish I was a bit short on beasties until I remembered my sons at a seaside fair over 40 years ago.

Little Monkeys (No, not my sons)

When it comes to animals there is no need for me to go far from home. I just need to keep an eye on what moves in my garden,

Woodpile Inhabitant ( Frog or Toad?)

For some reason or another our bird feeder gets raided from time to time; if I am quick I can catch the culprit in the act.

Squirrel Attack - May 2008

I wouldn't mind if the beggar didn't bury his walnuts in the lawn.

Young rabbits also take liberties with our plants.

Rabbit eats its fill - July 2008

This year I have  different strategy for them.

Got the little blighter

Before I let it go I gave it a good talking to. I dropped it back over the wall you can see behind us - with strict instructions to warn its friends that "In that house they eat rabbits."

Having had an operation on my leg earlier this month I have not been very mobile. Today has been the first day for three weeks that I have been permitted to walk the two miles to the local garage to fetch a morning paper. This is what I met along the way.

Caravans in transit.

I was tempted to hitch a ride.

Now I suggest you do that a take a look at what other Sepians have done for Sepia-Saturday-179.

Animals of Great Britain - Sunday Stamps

As soon as I saw the animal theme for this week I knew exactly what to post.

British Wildlife

These stamps were issued on 5 October 1977. From left to right they are:

• Hedgehog
• Hare
• Squirrel
• Otter
• Badger

I haven't seen an otter for years in the wild and unfortunately its only the grey squirrel and the hedgehog that visit our garden, Hares frequent the fields in the neighbourhood but you have to travel some way to find a badgers' sett.

For other animal issues check out those at Sunday-stamps-83

One Thing - Thematic Photography

The theme I've chosen for my 'one thing' photos is that of wildlife. All these pictures are from Michigan, the first from an Oakwood swamp.

Great Blue Heron

Then, of course, there's Harry who visits a Deer Trail Lake.

Great Blue Heron

Meanwhile in Rochester there is just one collecting nuts.

Squirrel near the Paint Creek Trail

There is always one black 'sheep' in the family.

Black Squirrel (trying to get in on the act)

 

But they're mine, all mine!

To check out other 'one things' the only place to go is Carmi's thematic-photographic one.

Michigan Wildlife Singles

 I make fairly regular trips to Michigan and over the years have collected a few wildlife shots that meet the 'Singles' theme. These shots, except the squirrel, were taken within 100 yards of where we stay.

American Green Frog (Rana Clamitans)

I couldn't resist adding a second picture of him (or her).

Harry, a great blue heron visits the same lake as well:

 Away from the lake a dragon fly hangs on to a conifer bush:

 This one wants all the nuts for himself:

And finally one I had to wait for:

 

I've lots of others, but perhaps that's enough for now.

 To some others 'Singles' check out the hosts post and links at: Thematic Photographic - 133