Monday, August 10, 2009

Some Days Are Diamonds

The critters have been active lately. The rat came over to me from the field being baled and just looked at me from about three feet away. The tree I was cleaning up was close to the property line and the baling in progress. I stared back. I think he wanted to file a complaint. Not my land being baled! More drama in our Tiger Pit (basement egress window, see Tiger Pit tag for other journal entries). This particular vole wasn't as wild as the previous one and I easily removed him with my scoop-lift-throw technique. They're so darned cute with their stubby little tail. After he landed, he started moving rapidly toward me. Keep in mind I'm in the Tiger Pit, with my eyes about a foot above ground. Here comes the vole, right at me! I'm at eye level with him and he's looking bigger and bigger. Then he jumps toward the rim of the Tiger Pit. I'm feeling pretty trapped and start to wave him off when I finally see that his burrow is along the edge of the Pit. He had me going there. If it was the deer mouse I would have put up a white surrender flag.

7 comments:

Speck said...

Daaamn... Did the deer mouse have a "Yum, human sushi" look when you jumped in the pit to save him? Like he needed saving.

Anonymous said...

these are wonderful sketches and so is the live at the pit journaling---but where are all the ticks running rampart? winna

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

You're lucky he didn't eat YOU! I love your journals, John...

vickylw said...

LOL! Great entry! It's like a peek into Beatrix Potter's world.

Revelle Taillon said...

I have no idea what a tiger pit is (you catch tigers in your free time?) but if these little creatures keep getting stuck in there, attach a length of rope to a big stake at the top and let it drop to the floor. I'm sure they'll all escape easily! Cute drawing!
Revelle

Sandy said...

EEEEKKKKK - I had to force myself to read this page, very interesting and descprective, almost too much so ! ;-)

Aurileide Alves said...

never thought I would say rats are cute... great!