22nd June 2024 . Since June 10th alone, I have captured 145 groundhog pictures, but there could easily have been twice as many. These little creatures provide endless entertainment. More so than ever this year. . …
Since June 10th alone, I have captured 145 groundhog pictures, but there could easily have been twice as many.
These little creatures provide endless entertainment.
More so than ever this year.
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Groundhogs are quite fond of grass. The dexterity of their claws is amazing.
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After last year, when we saw so few of these creatures, it is such fun to watch a whole family growing up right in front of the kitchen window.
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Groundhogs start their hibernation from the end of September or early October.
We moved here September 29th, 2018. The cats that came overland arrived on October 1st, then Grant went back to Seattle to sort out that house, so I was alone for a while.
Once the dust from that initial flurry of activity settled, I began to take stock of my environment and as I stood by the kitchen window one night, I felt I was being watched.
Glancing outside I caught sight of eyes beneath a hedge and I could see they were set into a stocky brown body.
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Although I had never seen one before, groundhogs are easy to recognise. But I knew nothing of their behaviour.
That creature continued to watch me as if checking out the new owner. I hoped I would measure up.
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People who are dedicated to their gardens seek to be rid of groundhogs and I soon saw them devouring my flowers.
So I offered alternate sustenance which they made into a second course...
How could I do battle with faces like these?
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EverySpring we watch out for a first sighting of baby groundhogs.
This year there were four.
Or I should say that there is a family of four living in the hedge in front of our kitchen window.
These days, there seem to be groundhogs rushing about in all directions, but our four are still together.
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Once they make their first tentative appearance, baby groundhogs soon become quite bold.
They also learn very quickly at what times they may expect to receive supplementary food offerings.
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Although we sometimes see them together as a group, it appears that two of them are closely bonded since they always turn up together.
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Mum is much less vigilant than she was at the beginning.
In the middle of June she still came to share a meal with one or other of the kids but lately she seems to be keeping a low profile.
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"I love you my twin."
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What mischief were they planning?
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"Wait! Hold everything!"
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"I's got a terrible itch!"
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This day, mum had apparently told the kids it was time to clean up the burrow.
The smallest one took the instruction seriously and set about collecting grass.
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"You're not really doing spring-cleaning?"
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"Goody-two shoes!"
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Then Number Three turned up and a tousle ensued.
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"Don't stick your oar in our business!"
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"Stay out of it Number Three!"
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"I stick my foot in your face!"
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"Ooh...cool move, Twin!"
.....Number Three tumbled down the bank...
"Well that got rid of him!"
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"Sniff! I don't like altercations!"
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"I'm sorry! Kiss and make up."
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"Here. I found you a nice bit o'carrot."
..."to soothe you."
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Number Four arrived at that moment.
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A bit of carrot calms everyone down.
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It's easy enough to transfer a video clip from my phone but I've yet to figure out how to edit out the wonky bits.
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Four dear little groundhoglets.
All made up.
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For a nano-second...
"Hey, Number Four! That's my bit!"
...kids!
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"What? Did you say something?"
"Um. No. Not us."
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"Just...nibbling on our carrots."
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"Why's he so cranky?"
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Another bit of imperfection.
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The "twins" are very cute.
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The other night I looked up and they were just standing...
"You 'fink if we stand here long enough she'll bring us some more snacks?"
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Sometimes they pose quite nicely as a threesome.
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...and even, sometimes, as a foursome!
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Don't tell me they weren't posing in those last two!
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