That was a long break!

It’s been a long time since my last post. Actually, that seems to be a pattern. and I’m not sure why. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t had the time or that I haven’t had much to write or that I simply haven’t felt like sitting down to the computer. Maybe a bit of all three. And part of it may be the weather–I started this yesterday but had to shut down the computer when it started thundering.

Ah, yes, the weather. Tropical Storm Fred dumped over 4″ of rain here in the Hollow. Other places nearby got much more. As you can see above, the river was so high that there weren’t even ripples over the rocks. Other than that, it’s been up and down since my last post.

What about critters? Well, I had finished my walk and was headed toward the house on the morning after my last post when a rather large black bear crossed the road ahead of me. I quickly snapped the photo then began sounding my air horn. I kept sounding it intermittently until I lost sight of the bear in the tall brush in the meadow, then I quickly–and cautiously–walked to the house. (I couldn’t run uphill on a gravel road at the end of my walk.) Fortunately, there was no sign of a bear visit there, but I kept my eyes peeled until I learned that a neighbor had seen it headed away. That’s the first photo.

The second photo was sent by a different neighbor just a couple of weeks ago. We had just finished chatting as they drove down when they called to tell me that a bear was not far behind me! I never saw it, but that was another cautious and quick walk home!

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It looks to me like the deer have plenty to eat in the meadow and woods, but they seem to prefer the corn and apples I feed them. I never know how many will be waiting for breakfast, sometimes impatiently! Dolly occasionally tries to stick her head in the bucket as I walk down, and Fuzzy paws (hoofs?) at the feeding pan if she thinks I’m taking too long to fill it. Jenny and her two fawns are almost always waiting in the meadow, although the fawns run away or hide in the tall brush.

I still don’t know how many fawns are in the herd(s). A little one appeared just this week, while the older ones are losing their spots. I sometimes seen one that appears to be alone when I walk, and I wonder if it’s an orphan or simply curious.

The young bucks Flopsy and Muley hang out with their moms and their 2021 fawns, but the other young bucks are more of a gang. If they’re nearby, they come running when I feed, although the does are still the bosses.

I’ve been at this most of the afternoon and really want to get it posted today, so here are the views of Dark Hollow:

Maybe it won’t be so long before I post again.