Category Archives: Critters

Scourge Surge

Posted on January 3, 2024 by sputterpub

I’ve co-existed with the critters here –the garden is their home as much as mine –and wasn’t overbothered till this year,when building on my eastern boundary line,and now the north, has changed the biosphere.Too many skunks no longer seem benign.I’ll … Continue reading →

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Market Musing

Posted on November 27, 2023 by sputterpub

I walked 2,000 steps toward south and east,to buy some groceries that filled my pack.I looked at clouds and with the weight increased,I waited for a bus to take me back.I saw the clouds hint drizzle’d come at least.I noted … Continue reading →

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Is Something There?

Posted on November 1, 2023 by sputterpub

Is something there, atop my place of ease?I’m hearing thumping lately from somewhereabove, that’s like a mammal scratching fleas.Is something there? A roof-explorer in the upper air?Or is a skunk inside, that brings unease?I smelled that musk last night in … Continue reading →

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Missing

Posted on August 24, 2023 by sputterpub

I heard a thump upon the deck last night,and searched today to find the noisy source.Before I saw the fallen rock, my sightwas taken by these spectacles, of course.Undoubtedly, some squirrel dropped them rightbefore my office door with no remorse.But … Continue reading →

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Fauna Report

Posted on August 18, 2023 by sputterpub

A skunk explored the garden yesterdayat 10 a.m. – a little late to show.Twelve hours later raccoons raced their wayacross my roof. They thumped and scurried so,I nearly yelled through skylights – “time to go!”I found a moving bug inside … Continue reading →

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Traffic Monitors

Posted on August 15, 2023 by sputterpub

My mood was good already, but it rosea little higher when I saw the birds –two pigeons gazing roadward in a posesuggesting they were monitors of cars.They perched, wings folded, steel beneath their toes,and seemed when traffic passed them to … Continue reading →

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Mystery Roost

Posted on August 4, 2023 by sputterpub

I started hearing hoots a week ago –an evening croon from somewhere up abovethat penetrated consciousness to throwattention from TV to trees I love.I couldn’t guess at first. I didn’t knowwho spoke, except it was no mourning dove.I haven’t seen … Continue reading →

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A Riot of Raccoons

Posted on July 24, 2023 by sputterpub

Raccoons are visiting my place of late.In nearly 20 years I’ve seen a few,but never this – a gang of 6 to 8,that tour the trellis, deck and roof. The viewfrom here’s a clutch as they investigate –I snap but … Continue reading →

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Near Meeting

Posted on April 16, 2023 by sputterpub

One animal is ugly but benign.The other is unwelcome beauty here.Today I watched them nearly meet, and veer. The house cat has a graceful soft design.The young marsupial is slow and drear.One animal is ugly but benign.The other is unwelcome … Continue reading →

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Spared (For Now)

Posted on April 12, 2023 by sputterpub

Aroused by corvid chorus yesterday,I marveled at the raucous caws I heard.There must have been a myriad at swayabove my yard. I like the ebon bird,but not the clots of shit they leave behindas they take flight. So I was … Continue reading →

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