Wildlife adventures, part 1

A moment of unexpected beauty...

Yesterday, returning from my lunch time walk at work, I came down the hill toward the cemetary, where the closeness of the oak trees falls away to a rolling expanse of lawn. Just then, a red-tailed hawk soared across the sky, moving with that sure, impossible grace. Backlit against the brightness of the sky, its tail glowed like a gemstone, too orange for ruby or garnet, maybe carnelian. Magical.

Wildlife encounters of the not-so-pleasant kind

I had just fallen asleep when I heard Dave shouting outside, "Oka, come! COME!" (Oka is his German Shepherd Dog, Shutzhund championship lines, 4 1/2 years old, basic obedience titled) And then the smell hit...

Mephitis mephitis

From all the evidence, a skunk had indeed taken up residence in our yard, digging for grubs and moles, eating fallen fruit, hiding under the house. Oka had pounced on it, the skunk was on its back, spraying in all directions. Obedience training held, Oka came running, and got away with only a little lingering smell. However, the incident took place outside our bedroom window, which shall Remain Closed Until Further Notice. Dave's calling the local pest control people to see if they do Skunk Removal and Odor Abatement.