What a hilarious response, thank you. I especially love
"birds do not read books on ornithology. Hence they do not know how they are supposed to behave … so they become a source of confusion to ornithologists everywhere".
My grandfather had a pet baby porcupine for a year which he brought home for his children and carried around in a pocket. He released it when it was old enough to fend for itself, or its quills got too sharp.
Such a poignant ànd true perspective on what we humans are doing to the rest of nature! I reflect on my relationship to the plants in my garden that are called ‘weeds’??
Ah yes — life on the edge of the wilderness. For us it is porcupines with a taste for the pine trees that were planted a century ago by the first homeowners on what is now 'our' little plot of prairie. A Provincial Wildlife Department officer offered to come and shoot them; we declined his offer. We decided that the porcupines were here first. For decades we have arrived at a compromise wherein I try to shove the invading creature out of the lower branches of a tree and trundle it off to a nearby (but not too near by) wildlife park. Every now and then we lose a tree … and gain some firewood. In return we are rewarded with the occasional company of an endearing wild creature who will be the subject of stories and photographs to be enjoyed by friends the world over.
"Why is she alone?" Remember, Carole, that birds do not read books on ornithology. Hence they do not know how they are supposed to behave … so they become a source of confusion to ornithologists everywhere. There are many possible outcomes to your present conundrum. Perhaps you will become a significant location in the territory of a newly-established merganser colony. Perhaps you will restock your pond with merganser-proof fish or overhang the pond with repurposed camouflage nets decorated with an artistic display of colourful ribbons.
thanks Tannis
Weeds are often tge strongest most beneficial plants.
Love this, Carole!
Stuck between a rock and a pond. Beautifully written, Carole
Thank you. I may have already replied on my phone. Rabbits, like racoons are pretty indefatigable. At least we don't have otters or herons.
I love this comment. I don't suppose the rabbits are indigenous either, so many layers to this conundrum we've gotten ourselves in.
What a hilarious response, thank you. I especially love
"birds do not read books on ornithology. Hence they do not know how they are supposed to behave … so they become a source of confusion to ornithologists everywhere".
My grandfather had a pet baby porcupine for a year which he brought home for his children and carried around in a pocket. He released it when it was old enough to fend for itself, or its quills got too sharp.
Such a poignant ànd true perspective on what we humans are doing to the rest of nature! I reflect on my relationship to the plants in my garden that are called ‘weeds’??
Ah yes — life on the edge of the wilderness. For us it is porcupines with a taste for the pine trees that were planted a century ago by the first homeowners on what is now 'our' little plot of prairie. A Provincial Wildlife Department officer offered to come and shoot them; we declined his offer. We decided that the porcupines were here first. For decades we have arrived at a compromise wherein I try to shove the invading creature out of the lower branches of a tree and trundle it off to a nearby (but not too near by) wildlife park. Every now and then we lose a tree … and gain some firewood. In return we are rewarded with the occasional company of an endearing wild creature who will be the subject of stories and photographs to be enjoyed by friends the world over.
"Why is she alone?" Remember, Carole, that birds do not read books on ornithology. Hence they do not know how they are supposed to behave … so they become a source of confusion to ornithologists everywhere. There are many possible outcomes to your present conundrum. Perhaps you will become a significant location in the territory of a newly-established merganser colony. Perhaps you will restock your pond with merganser-proof fish or overhang the pond with repurposed camouflage nets decorated with an artistic display of colourful ribbons.
Something interesting is sure to happen.
(Take heart — a heron would be worse.)