A catbird sings every morning at the neighbor’s pond. It probably has a nest nearby.
It seems that in the forest, the evidence of young wildlife is everywhere.
While this photographer didn’t capture any youngsters, the signs abounded. Several birds were making their presence known, which usually means there is a young fledging around and they are trying to divert one’s attention.
Male ruby-throated hummingbird drinks from a feeder.
The neighborhood bluebirds were keeping a vigilant watch on their nesting box and the male was spotted trying to shoo away a chipmunk from a nearby tree.
The trail camera captured a very dark and unusable photo of a doe followed by a much smaller version of herself. Tiny hoof prints no bigger than a quarter were seen in the mud along the trail.
While it may appear that wildlife mothers have abandoned their young, the opposite is quite true. Most adults try to lead potential predators away from their young. So if you spot young wildlife, chances are their parents are not far away and it’s better to just leave them be.
A chalk-fronted corporal dragonfly
Meanwhile, there were at least 10 times more dragonflies buzzing around the neighbor’s pond.
Two young bucks in velvet are seen at the neighbor’s pond.
The trail camera did catch two bucks in velvet whose horns are growing.
Mountain laurel blossoms
The mountain laurel in the front yard is blooming while the peonies continue to open up.
The petals of a peony
Sadie, the Newfoundland, is enjoying the pond.
Sadie after a morning swim.
The bugs are out in full force and are bedeviling Kennedy the goat.
Kennedy scratches an itch.
A Walk in the Woods contains photos from newsroom staffer Anna Applegate’s daily jaunts around her neck of the woods. Tagging along on the treks are dogs Buford, Sherman and Sadie, and goats Kyle and Kennedy. Applegate manages the Good Times and can be emailed at bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com.
