Category Archives: Critters

Ant Visit

Posted on December 28, 2021 by sputterpub

The tiny ants that visit every yearcan easily be crushed with fingertip.December weather makes them show up here,but I don’t see a trail or find the source.They don’t make me acquire killing gearor poison pots – they’re simply not that … Continue reading →

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Feeding Time

Posted on November 27, 2021 by sputterpub

Observing squirrels through a pane of glass,I see them growing fatter every day.Voraciously they forage, adding massand making tree limbs bounce from what they weigh.They’re full of flora calories and sass.They vandalize the plants and throw awaythe bulk of what … Continue reading →

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Requiem for a Polecat

Posted on September 7, 2021 by sputterpub

For 14 years I’ve lived in this back yard.Accustomed to its fauna and inuredto critter evidence, still this is hard.It’s sadder than a headless hummingbird,and more upsetting than a ‘possum, deadupon the deck and in the rain.At 9 a.m. I … Continue reading →

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Making Do

Posted on August 17, 2021 by sputterpub

In further evidence of climate change,the squirrels are resorting to green plumsas dietary mainstay. It seems strangeto watch them hunt the prunus; hungry bums,they must be famished – fruit once scorned becomestheir diet. See them finish every bit –who used … Continue reading →

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Whazzat?

Posted on August 1, 2021 by sputterpub

I’ve heard the bird for weeks but haven’t seenits size and shape, its flight or coloring.I googled corvid calls – I played umpteenrecordings, but don’t recognize this thing.Today I got a glimpse of white-edged wingin glide above the garden, with … Continue reading →

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Ambients

Posted on July 26, 2021 by sputterpub

The squirrels spiral-argue up the tree,and tearing bark they chitter-bark back down.A giant redwood is their armory,and eucalyptus forms their battleground.Now crowds of crows send raucous caws around,while seagulls croon and chickens mutter-cluck,and chainsaws fill the air with power sound,invading … Continue reading →

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Wake Up Caw

Posted on May 18, 2021 by sputterpub

The din disturbed my sleep at ten to six.It issued from a raucous flock of crows.I like their shiny black, their clever tricks,but noise and splats of shit I don’t receiveso well. There doesn’t seem to be a fix –I … Continue reading →

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From a Fan Fan

Posted on May 1, 2021 by sputterpub

I thought my little cottage needed screens –I had them on the wish list from the start.But reconstruction soaked up all my meansbefore we got to insect blocks. In partI was okay with screen delay – they thwartthe bugs but … Continue reading →

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Ants

Posted on February 6, 2021 by sputterpub

I spent my early childhood back East(Manhattan-born, Long Island reared to 8),and sure I have strong memories, not leastthe insects Mom would burn to death or bait.She never minded summer fireflies.She swatted other bugs and was appalledwhenever ants invaded. She’d … Continue reading →

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Excreta

Posted on January 20, 2021 by sputterpub

I like the eucalypt above the deck.I fancy the biota in my yard.But critters make their messes. Squirrels wreckthe seedlings and they piss from high above.The crows I love deface the wood with fleckand splat of poop – tenacious chalky … Continue reading →

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