Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Visitor

This cute, thieving little bandit decimated my tulips a couple weeks ago. I apologize for the photo...but dusk had already fallen when I took the snap, so I had to lighten it, giving it a rather grainy texture. Animals are quite abundant at this time of year. As soon as spring hits, they make their way down the mountain side looking for some tasty morsels after the bland winter fare. One evening I came home to find three in my yard, or rather on the outskirts. This one was a loner who was quite startled when I opened the door to try to get a shot...shot with my camera that is. He immediately took off at a trot, but not before he had bitten off almost all of my tulip heads. Tulips are apparently quite sweet. Ironically, they never touch the daffodils. I have a ton of them. Deer aren't the only beasts lurking about in the spring. Last week a bear took apart my compost box trying to find a good feed. I didn't actually see the spectacle as occurred, but witnessed the mess later. Luckily a kind neighbour put the box back together for me. There was a Grizzly just this past week who was wandering about a neighbourhood just a few miles out the lake. A conservation officer had to be called in as apparently nothing was scaring this fellow off. These aren't overly common occurrences, but do occur regularly in the spring.

20 comments:

The Fool said...

Cute lil' critter. Dem bears give me pause though. One took down a moose just outside the yard last fall, and then dragged its carcass up hill. You've got to make room for anything that can drag a moose up hill with its teeth.

JBelle said...

Daffs are actually toxic. ;)

(I grow nothing but daffs.)

Jannie Funster said...

Oh spring has sprung in the wilds of B.C.!

Pretty darn good picture I think, considering. Photo reminds me of a line of lyric in a Joni Mitchell songs from the first album of hers I ever had -- "For The Roses." She sang about running like a white tailed deer. (And "springing from the boulders like a mama lion.")

Seems the deer liked my tulips in N.S too, the year I was there to plant them. Daffodils it will be when we move back there!

Take care of the bears, which I am sure you will.

Pamela said...

I could handle the deer (and I've heard that about tulips being attractive to them)

But keep the bears please.

Steffi said...

Nice thoughtful photo and post,Carla! Sorry please,I was at the last time too lazy and tired to post at my blog or to comment,dear Carla!

Carla said...

Fool, They're cute, but can be quite pesky. I sure wouldn't get in the way of that bear. I wouldn't even mess with the moose.

JBelle, Are they? I didn't know. Guess I'll be planting a bunch more next year.

Carla said...

Jannie, Thanks. I guess the deer are the same everywhere.

Pamela, I'm keeping my distance from the bears. I wouldn't want to have to face one down.

Carla said...

Steffi, I understand. I go through periods where I'm too tired / busy / stressed. Then I just check in occasionally, but don't always comment.

Ed & Jeanne said...

I suspect they have been plotting this attack all winter...

we're doomed said...

Thanks Carla for giving us another reason to hunt Bambi. LOL

Anonymous said...

Captured beautifully - a delightful image of the deer.

although the prospect of a bear, may be somewhat less appealing - and given the mess they leave - table manners - need improving...

pandave said...

Well if someone is going to steal your tulips, they better be this cute.

Ah the great outdoors, we only dream about it in our tiny NY apartments ;-)

jillie said...

This reminded me of our friend that couldn't figure out what was happening to all of their roses, there was a buck coming down every night and eating them....lol. I guess he really does "smell" like roses...hahahahaha

nyd said...

Although I can do without the bears, a vist from little doe a dear would be most welcome.

He or she is quite welcome to my neighbors tulips.

Carla said...

VE, Quite right, I'm sure. My poor little tulips.

We're Doomed, Be my guest. Bambi is mighty tasty.

Carla said...

Peter, I would not want to do more than watch the bear from a distance. He has not been around lately though.

Pandave, I wish you the chance to travel to truly experience the great outdoors.

Carla said...

Jillie, Too funny. But I'm sure your friend was not all that thrilled.

NYD, Well then, let's hope your neighbour has an abundance of tulips.

Envoy-ette said...

OH my goodness! I'm mourning your tulips! The bear sounds quite scary!

dawn said...

Our dog tends to scare off critters in our yard and the ones not scared off by the barking dog in the middle of the night are scared by the lunatic woman in her nightgown threatening the barking dog with a broom ;-) .

Carla said...

Envoy-ette, I was quite sad for them as well. I did and up with some that had escaped the massacre, which I enjoyed very much.

Dawn, That image made me laugh. And yes, I'm sure that a dog would be very helpful in this case.