Wild Thing - You Don't Make My Heart Sing.....

Today, I was standing at my kitchen sink,

at 2:00 in the afternoon,  

and caught movement out the window. 

This is what I saw! 

Right in the front yard among my daffodils! 

I had seen this same coyote

just 2 weeks  before. 

Our property is completely fenced with sturdy 5 ft. horse fencing, 

but the determined can dig under or climb up a post. 

He picked up an old dog bone and trotted off. 

My heart skipped a beat, but I thought

to get my camera this time. 

The scary part is that I had just been outside.....

I miss my loyal protector, Champ. 

(We lost our sweet boy in January)

When I saw the coyote 2 weeks ago, 

Whitey was outside and barking, 

but the coyote was not even fazed. 

He's just too small. He is very brave, though, 

and once I went out and yelled, he took chase, 

which worried me, but he came back unscathed, 

although clearly upset. 

With the two big dogs, they had each other

 for back-up, 

and were always on patrol. 

And then there are these little ones....

Peanut and Weenie Baby. 

After seeing the coyote, 

I have not been able to take them out on my

morning walks. 

Although they are tiny, they are fearless, 

and we all know how an encounter would end.....

I have two cats, too. 

They refuse to go outside. 

They are very smart. 

I can't blame the coyote....

This is my fault. 

You see, I have been feeding the birds

for years. 

Black Oil Sunflower seeds draws

many birds, but also others. 

Like these guys......

And other predators, 

Like this beauty,

I believe this is a 'Rough Legged Hawk.'

He was hunting the Mourning Doves and wild Wood Pigeons
and was all too successful.

The bird feeders also attracted all sorts of varmints,
like squirrels, mice, raccoons, skunks, possums -
you name it.

Which attracts these, and of course, coyotes.

I have had encounters with them all.....

And so, I made the decision to stop
feeding the birds.
I've had enough....
I'm sure the coyote was hunting at the feeders.
They were busy places.

With my beloved Champ gone, I have
no back-up.

I want to go out and garden and take walks,
but until I find another big dog,
I am not feeling safe.

And with my two little house guests, Weenie Baby
and Peanut, I have to be extra vigilant.

They are so tiny.

(I will begin my search for a companion
for Whitey, once these two are reunited
with my daughter, who is living as a room-mate
while saving to buy a home)

I can't stand the thought of anything happening
to these little sweeties.

I will still feed my beloved hummingbirds, though.

It has been sooooo quiet since I stopped
feeding the birds.

I feel so badly, but it is for the best.
We have had a mild winter and spring is
in full swing, so there are plenty of bugs,
cones, and sprouted seeds to eat.

I will be sure to keep my eyes open for
bird friendly plantings at the nursery, too.

We had a little storm blow through yesterday,
with heavy rain and lots of wind.

We lost our electricity for a few hours
in the early evening, but all is well now.

The good news is that lots of cones and seed pods
were blown down off the trees for the critters.

My Sweet Box and Viburnum are blooming
below the deck and filling the air
with the loveliest of fragrance.

I am so fortunate to have a high
 and completely enclosed deck
to enjoy nature without being vulnerable to it.

The area around the house is completely fenced and gated,
but the little dogs are somehow able to slip through,
so we will be reinforcing it this weekend.

View of front lawn where the coyote was sighted. 

But beyond this fence lies the great unknown.....

xoxo