With the Park still closed, we're walking in the neighborhood a lot. On Monday, Andy found a mule deer carcass that looked like it had been buried by a mountain lion. It was near a house, but after discussing with the neighbor, we learned it was vacant so in the evening we put up 2 trail cameras. Each morning Andy would fetch the cameras, but the first night, the lion just covered it up a bit better, and we only got two pictures. Then the second night, she ate a lot but moved the carcass, and the cameras again only caught a couple pictures. They say 3rd time's a charm and that was so true for us. Here you can see a partially buried buck, a brave mouse and the momma lion with her two kittens. You can see that she helps move the carcass (and take off its fur) so the kittens have better access. You can also see that she takes a pee break in the middle of the night and that the kittens are curious about the camera. When it is time to go, you can see momma carefully cover the carcass to save it for another day. Ah, the things that go on when we're asleep...
Note that all times are one hour later than on the camera (we forgot to change times for daylight savings). (Click on an image to enlarge). Since we live in the mountains, we are used to mice. Luckily, most of them stay outside and we co-exist well. This spring there have been incredible numbers of mice in our yard. We've seen them during the day and regularly see several at night. If we shine the flashlight on them, they will sometimes stop to investigate. This cutie was so curious!
What a Common Raven, Wyoming Ground Squirrel (and Red-tailed Hawk) do on a Sunday afternoon...4/19/2020
Since all the parks are closed, Andy and I have been walking in the neighborhoods. It was very bright and sunny this afternoon and we marveled that there weren't as many Wyoming Ground Squirrels scurrying about as yesterday. Then a Common Raven flew overhead and I got the camera ready for a photo. Soon we realized why it was circling around. There was a Wyoming Ground Squirrel that had strayed too far from its den. For the next 52 seconds we watched as the ground squirrel tried to fend off the raven. Just when it looked like he had escaped to a nearby bush, a Red-tailed Hawk swooped in! He/she must have known it wasn't his or hers, though, and quickly left. We wondered if the ground squirrel had gotten away, but soon the raven came back and seized its prize. There is one less ground squirrel in the world today, but it put up a gallant effort. We are in awe. RIP little one.
I've been walking a lot lately. It has been fun trying to find a picture for the day. I almost walked by this napping American Robin! He/she opened his/her eyes when I stopped but then just continued basking in the sun.
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