Our Wild Entertainment
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A Rabbit with the Deer
OK, the secret is out. It really doesn’t take much to entertain us.
We haven’t bought each other “big” Christmas gifts for a long time. There was a time in our lives when we would spend hundreds of dollars on each other on gifts.
One Christmas during my corporate years, Dale gave me $500 worth of gift cards. I did have a really good time with them shopping the sales after Christmas, but we just don’t need “stuff” anymore.
Since moving to Our Little House, during the holidays we could afford it, we decided to spend only moderately and get something we both could enjoy.
We do love watching television series and movies on DVD, so last year, it was a small (because who needs a big screen in a little house?) flat screen.
The only two things I really wanted is a 4-wheeler to go up and get the mail and a wild life cam.
Since we didn’t win the lottery, the wildlife cam won.
We bought a bag of deer corn last weekend and off we trotted through the woods, far enough away from the house so the wildlife wouldn’t be spooked by the dogs – or so we thought.
We allowed Chloe, our rescue lab/pit mix to follow us, which was a mistake.
For the next two days, all we got photos of was Chloe coming back to the spot to nibble some corn (and probably crack her teeth).
On day 3, Dale hurried home from work and brought the camera in before darkness fell.
We were both so giddy to see if we had anything, we were practically shaking.
When the note popped up on the screen showing “40 photos downloading,” I could hardly wait to start the slideshow.
We scored! A small herd of does with a baby came along once during the night and again the next morning, and then there was, of course, Chloe, again.
We were going to wait to reset the camera over the weekend, but we wanted to keep the deer and anything else coming back.
We trotted out to the woods, even knowing it would be dark before we could get back.
We did set it a little lower on a tree trunk this time and also put the corn further away from the camera to get a full view of the animals and herds.
Our dream is to “capture” the elusive mountain lion and a black bear, though we’ll take turkey and anything that wanders in front of the lens.
Like I said, it doesn’t take much to entertain us.
Have you ever had a wildlife camera? What’s the coolest picture you’ve gotten?
The wildlife camera sounds great. We have about 6-7 deer that go through our yard regularly. My dog goes crazy–but the deer, well, they don’t even seem to notice him.
The cam is fun, we’re getting a lot of entertainment out of it. We’re out of corn, though, so we’re going to have to get more this weekend to draw them in!
So sorry I have not been here in a while. I am hardly keeping up with all the blogs I’ve added to my reading list. This, I suppose, is my entertainment. My laptop is the only screen in this little two-room house and it is all I need. I so understand what you mean about stuff. Loved reading about your excitement when you realized there were 40 pictures on the camera. I tried to imagine the look on your faces. You are proving once more how large one can live in a little house!!
Thanks, Granny, it is indeed fun. We’ve done this several times since and it is just as exciting each time! Welcome back!
What an incredible, awe-inspiring view, Kerri. You are very, very, very fortunate!
Thank you, Merr, we do feel very lucky.
You’re very own wildlife cam? Way cool. I’ve always enjoyed finding webcams onine that show wildlife. It would be so much fun if you do photograph a bobcat, mountain lion or bear. Hope you post it here if you do.
You bet I will, Donna!
Are you kidding? This sounds like great fun.
It is, Ruth. We brought it in again yesterday evening. Still the same deer and dogs! 🙂
That is so cool that you got the photos of the deer on the wildlife camera. The only “wildlife” I could capture here is the weirdo door-to-door salespeople. But I know the pet detective in this area uses wildlife cameras to find lost dogs and cats.
That would be a good use for a wildlife camera.
I have thought of getting one to see what animals come in under the eaves and into the attic during snowstorms. Squirrels? Would like to see them galavanting around, since they sound like a herd of elephants. I remember reading a blog called Starving off the Land, and the author set up a camera to see what critters were stealing her chickens. The results were quite amazing. Think she had a coyote and a fox on the film.
I would definitely have to have one to see what critters we had if we had them coming under the eves, Alexandra! A wildlife cam would be very beneficial to see what is stealing chickens, for sure.
I like to sit by my window and look out into the woods. You never know what you’re gonna see. So far: wild turkeys, lots of deer (I especially love the babies), an occasional red fox, coyotes (those scare me), racoons, skunks, possum (ew)…so far no bears (whew).
We don’t see much wandering by the house, because of the dogs. But I have seen deer, coyote and turkey in the yard at different times. We figure we might have better luck seeing a bear on the camera!
This is an exciting read! We’ve thought about buying an outdoor cam but haven’t gotten one yet. I have seen deer, red foxes and a big brown owl. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ll catch on camera.
We are too, Sheryl. I get really excited when we bring the camera in for a look!
We see a lot of wildlife without a cam — skunks (not so good if you startle then and then …), deer, possum, and raccoons. I love seeing these animals. Unfortunately the raccoons sometimes become pests. And though I really love skunks when they spray under our back rental everyone is very sad…
Yes, I can imagine. Be careful, too, if you’re seeing these animals during the daytime hours. They can carry rabies and seeing skunks and raccoons during full daylight is not typically a good sign.
Oh my gosh, this is so much fun! I can’t wait to see who else poses for you!
We can’t either, Brette!
We have been using one for 3 years now. Like Chloe, our longhorns get in the picture a lot and we have some funny ones of them. Have gotten a pic of two fawns fighting like boxers, lots of big bucks, does and babies, raccoons, a big black hog, jackrabbits, and turkeys. Keep hoping to get one of a bobcat or fox but no luck so far, even though we have seen those here. We have moved the camera to different places. The company my husband works for has a big ranch in South Texas and they have gotten pics of mountain lions and bobcats on their cameras. Hope you get a pic of one of the big animals! I know you will share with us when you do!
We were talking about moving the camera this past week. There is a place that is cleared that would be easier for us to get to across the road. I might try that next time!