Oh yes, I love the critters. Have not quite gotten bold enough to try hand-feeding them, though. There have been occasional reports of rabies in squirrels and raccoons around here, so I’m a-scared.
I do make a point to put bird and squirrel feeders in close proximity to windows where the cat has a good vantage point. Cat appreciates that, and it’s a laugh riot for the grand babies, too.
There’s an abundance of critters in the swampy woods where I live—owls, turtles, armadillos, road runners, bobcats and the occasional coyote.
We’re staying inside a lot; the rain has brought out lots of snakes. I’ve killed 5 in a couple weeks. Saw a small iguana on the porch yesterday. A baby, about 8 inches long. Wonder where his mama was.
I quit trying to put up feeders. I had one I just loved in the backyard, a little redwood cottage, and a big limb from my tree took it out. A fine person on my photography group shared after he posted a photo of his. I just had to have one and found one at Lowe's. Then he had a special way he "planted" the 4X4 so he didn't have to pour cement to set the post, and drew the plans for me and posted those. So I had the hardware store cut to order and make me a redwood box to set it in. It worked for years but is finally rotting deep in the ground. Now I have looked all over online and can't find one exactly like it; it was about $35 and now the nice ones are over $100.
I wanted to attract finches after I finally saw one and saw a nice tube imitation birch feeder I can bleach sterile and hung it on one of those rugged iron hook hanging planter stands right outside my sunroom window. I've filled it with niger seeds twice, but they get moldy and need changing often, so I haven't kept up with that and gave up.
Every day I faithfully scatter the seeds on the stoop which is easier on me now and in all weather.
I was just reading the sad story of the pair who rescued the baby bison who had been abandoned. I think it was Yellowstone. It is on ABC's front page a little down on the left sidebar, won't stay there too long. They ended up euthanizing the adorable baby and the pair who tried to help it were punished.
I've got beaucoup baby owl stories and photos but I'd better quit. I would probably kill snakes if I was confident I could do it, preferably quickly. I wasn't afraid of them when I was a kid but am now, haven't seen one for years and would be frightened if I did.
A girl here had a pet iguana, I think that's what it is, pretty green, cool to the touch, not cuddly but fascinating.
Your name is familiar; we have conversed before, but it's been awhile and I don't remember what it was about that time. Have a nice summer and keep the critters happy. Too bad we can't share photos; maybe you can but I don't have an account that will let me in any more because so many now don't like my browser and are trying to force me to upgrade.