Foxes...lady bugs...bats...and other stuff...
This week, we’re going to start with our latest Critter Sighting Updates...
Fox sitting on our front porch. Yup. Fox sitting on our front porch? Really? We did not actually see this. A fellow traveler on The Journey Through Life spotted the critter early one morning last week. Our front porch ecosystem apparently now includes a fox, an armadillo, raccoons, possums, squirrels, an outside cat and who knows what else?
Fox meandering through a neighbor’s yard. Yup. One bright and sunny morning last week. The critter paused for moment before heading off to its next appointment.
Fox, or maybe a coyote, wandering across the road near the Jonesboro Square. Yup. Spotted the critter last Friday morning while heading to the Union County Courthouse.
Pileated woodpecker zooming overhead. Yup. Saw one of the majestic birds fly overhead while I was motoring along Spanish Bluff Road north of Anna last Friday morning.
Hawk, on the ground, along old U.S. Route 51 between Carbondale and home. Yup. Spotted it last Saturday afternoon while I was on a date with The Other Half.
Lady bugs. Even more than last week. Yup. Clouds of the red, black and white critters were flying around in front of the house in last Saturday afternoon’s warm sunshine. I was attempting to read out on the porch, but gave up ‘cause so many of the bugs were landing on me.
Dead skunk in the middle of the road. Yup. And, yes, as usual, the critter was stinking to high heaven.
Meanwhile...
Speaking of critters...
Last Saturday afternoon, I attended a program presented at Stinson Memorial Library in Anna by Native American author Kim Sigafus of Freeport. As part of her presentation, she shared some words in the Ojibwa language. She even taught people how to sing a song in the language.
One of the words she shared was “animosh.” That’s the Ojibwa word for dog. After the program, I chatted briefly with Kim and asked what the Ojibwa word for cat might be, since I come from a household run by cats.
When the word for cat wouldn’t come to mind, Kim steered me in the direction of translator that can be found online. I followed up on her suggestion and learned that the Ojibwa word for cat is “gaazhag,” which is pronounced “gaw-zhug.” I will be working that with Bob... I just won’t make him sing...
On a personal note...thank you to the folks at Stinson Memorial Library for the many programs they are offering to the community.
Meanwhile...
And speaking of critters, some more...
Last Friday evening, yours truly headed over to the little gem of a park of Jonesboro which I frequently visit. The U.S. Forest Service/Shawnee National Forest was presenting a program about bats. Lots of folks, of all ages, came out for the program on a warm October evening.
It occurred to me while I wandering around taking some photographs that I have not seen a bat in quite some time while sitting on the front porch of our humble abode. I would be happy to trade or bat or two for a few zillion of the lady bugs which were flying around last weekend.
Meanwhile...
...happy Halloween, folks. Hope your day is full of treats...