BABIES!!

I knew it... I just knew we would see more groundhog babies this year! Unlike last summer, this year's babies did not emerge until they were a bit bigger. Their mama must have kept them under wraps longer than last year's mama groundhog. In fact, this mama is far more shy and protective than the one last year. It has been quite a coup to get any pictures at all! But I managed to sneak a couple pics as they curiously investigated their surroundings under the rhododendron in front of our porch:

One was poking up through the hole looking for his sibling under the rhododendron... as you see he came out soon afterward.

There is A LOT going on around this rhododendron because a mother robin chose this as a great place to build a nest! My husband and I have a perfect view from our front window.

The beginning of construction

All moved in

The mother sits on her eggs and the father robin is always close by. He watches the nest when mom goes to get a bite to eat. He even chased a squirrel up a tree (no joke) when one came too close to the area. It is absolutely fascinating to watch. I managed to get a photo of the eggs this morning when mom went away. I won't do it again. Both mom and dad were incredibly anxious and protective and distraught. I still feel bad for invading their precious territory. But I did quickly snap this photo of 3 beautiful, blue robin eggs:

It is such a treat to be able to watch all of this from our own front porch. We are amazed at the brilliance of nature, not to mention endlessly entertained!

Now I have to share photos of my husband's special buddy, Nessie (nicknamed after the Loch Ness Monster). Nessie appeared from a pile of rubble/compost that my husband keeps and stirs around in our backyard. Okay... heeeeeeeeere's Nessie!

Yes, normally I would freak out at the sight of a snake. But this guy is more afraid of us and he is truly harmless. I have to admit, he is kind of cute in a slithery-don't come-too-close-to-me sort of way.

Gotta love all creatures great and small. :)

Mama's back!

I haven't had much success capturing pictures of my little guys this spring. They come out to eat and as soon as I show up, they dart back into their holes and wait it out. They win every time, despite my patience. I still believe they will get used to me but they are still trying to figure out who and what is safe. But our Mama groundhog knows and I finally had a chance to visit with her yesterday! She sat nearby eating peanuts and carrots and didn't mind the flash of the camera. I also learned that groundhogs like rabbit food and water too - thanks to HogHaven! It is an absolute perfect 10 today... it feels and smells like summer. A great day for a picnic with Mama. :)

The neighbors must think I'm nuts

We are enjoying a real, honest-to-goodness Spring this year in the Northeast. Perfect weather for groundhog outings... and we have witnessed quite a few humorous and adorable antics! Alas, our little buddies are playing hard to get. I had to work extra hard to get a picture of them this weekend, despite my clever efforts. Today, I swear I went outside FIVE TIMES trying to snap a photo. I tiptoed toward the hole, tossing peanuts and carrots in front of me to prove to the little fuzz-face that I can be trusted. He would look at me, braced and guarded, then dive into his hole.

After the fifth trip outside, I plunked myself down on the grass and waited. And waited. (Oh and I should mention that my next door neighboor can see all of this.) And waited until....... he popped back up.

I remained still and quiet long enough to watch him come all the way out of the hole and turn around.

Then as soon as he caught a glimpse of me the show was over and he dove underground. I waited again but he had caught on. So I called it good with two new pictures to add to my album.

(Of course as soon as I was inside the house again, he came out to feast on peanuts and carrots for dinner. )

Better luck next weekend. :)

Chillin' with mama and papa?

Today was another glorious sunny day, and two of my groundhogs didn't mind me snapping some photos while one enjoyed peanuts and the other munched on carrots. In looking at both of these pictures, it sure looks like one might be waiting for a few babies to arrive! What do you think... mama and papa here?

Getting kind of hard to bend over to eat the carrot with that belly in the way!

But doing a pretty good job just the same.

No belly on this one over here...

... perhaps he's papa.

Do I smell peanuts?

We are enjoying some beautiful weather this weekend, and with that comes lots of activity in the neighborhood. Our little buddies are still trying to figure us out, but they're getting used to the fact that we aren't going away AND best of all, we bring lots of goodies like peanuts. Ooooh they can't resist peanuts. (They have exquisite taste.) My husband threw a few peanuts toward their hole (with camera in hand, of course) and while they didn't quite dare to come too far out, they put up with him long enough to grab a snack.

Mmmmm do I smell a peanut?

Ooooh yes I do!

I'm ready for more...

Aw c'mon... stop hiding

Yesterday my husband was doing some spring cleaning around the yard. He was making great progress picking up branches, twigs and raking when guess who decided to make an appearance? Time to get the camera. Of course our little buddy wasn't too pleased with the idea.



Don't even think about it...




She was simply interested in nibbling on those peanuts under the bush.

Then she decided the branches looked good. She started gnawing away and finally stopped long enough to SMILE for the camera. :)

Okay okay now get that camera outta here.

Building trust

Our little groundhogs have been lying low these last couple of weeks. However, today the temperature neared 60 degrees - warm, sunny and too nice to stay holed up! A couple of the babes ventured out to eat and my husband tiptoed outside to sneak a few photos. Well not so fast buster. They really don't know that they can trust us yet. They peered just above their burrow entrances trying to figure out what we're all about, as you can see from the few photos my hubby managed to get.

Hmmm... who are you?

Okay this is as far as I go.

Of course we had a bag of peanuts and carrots on hand, so we tossed some treats near the holes while chatting with them. They will eventually learn that our voices mean goodies on the way - and while they always remain cautious, they will become comfortable sitting nearby feasting as we watch in awe. But at this point we need to build that trust.

Ooooh yummy. Maybe you weirdos aren't so bad after all.