A Wildewood walk and Canis connection

 

In the distance, I saw one of Wildewood's Coyotes cross the street. Nature's wild dog and our free rat control neighbor (80% of the Coyote diet is vermin). This was a few days ago. Today, when I turned into Pineneedle, I saw one of the Coyote pups catch a mouse!

Coyote reminds me of how we share space with animals, wild and tame. 

Urshela inspires aspirations for all creatures, even Coyote

A neighborhood Coyote, photo by Susan. December 2022

There is a new family member: Urshela. She is 8-year-old grandson Gavin's pet hamster named after a New York Yankee baseball player. Here is a photo of Gavin showing how to hold Urshela.

So, 12 days ago, my cell rang. My daughter was calling, but when I said hello, it was Gavin. He said, "Grammie, are you still good with your stitches" implying - do I still sew? He wondered if I'd sew a Christmas stocking for Urshela. 

Someone said, "Oh, just buy a little stocking. It's only a hamster!" But I had a glimpse from Gavin's view. He loves this sweet hamster and regards her in the same way he regards me, as a friend and companion. We decided that this stocking will be for Urshela and all pets to come, and wildlife - as a way to extend care and kind regard to all life.

It's finished! Gavin said it was good timing because Urshela was not feeling well (a trip to the vet is scheduled).

I told him and his brother Dylan about the neighborhood Coyote and showed them the recent photograph I had taken. 

Then Gavin asked what Coyote eats, and I told him, mostly vermin. 

There was a big pause. "You mean mice?" I nodded, adding that Coyote's favorite food is the rat. 

He realized that Coyote eats creatures like hamsters. That disturbed Gavin, and I wondered what I could say. Gavin knows about the cycle of life, so I decided to stay away from defending death or Coyote. 

Then Terry, Grandpa, came up with a workable response. 

"What if we remain curious about this?" Curious about the needs of Coyote and other animals. Curious about how to live with wildlife. Curious about how to remain safe in a way that also allows safety for Coyote. Curious about how to live with the idea of not having to get rid of a creature.

That interrupted worry. 

Gavin and Dylan decided it was a good time to write aspirations. Each one was written on a strip of colored paper, folded, and placed inside the stocking.

Santa will be delighted.

"Let Urshela be healthy."

"Enough berries for birds and flowers for butterflies."

"May snakes slither freely." 

"May the Coyote find food at night." 

"Let all the dogs in the neighborhood be safe." 

"Let the water in the pond be clean for the otters."

"I hope Urshela lives a long and happy life."

"Urshela, please do live a happy life and do not die tomorrow."

"I have hope that peace around the world will come true."

"I hope that Urshela feels better soon."

"I hope Urshela has enough." 

"I hope Urshela does not get eaten by a monstrosity." 

"May all animals and people get along."

UPDATE: Urshela died on Christmas Day, 2022, just a few months after she joined our family. 

Holding steady in the summer heat with all our friends

 Snowy Egret, holding steady in the sea. Coquina Beach, July 4, 2022

We headed to the beach early enough that it only took @6 minutes from Wildewood to see the rising sun's exquisite light play in the sea. 

Waves coming and going.

Like this Black-Crowned Night Heron. Landed on the Woodlawn side.

Then turned around and flew off!

That quick peek was the opposite of this nursery of raccoon kits. Four of them watched us watch them with equal curiosity. We were looking from inside our place. 

Then they dispersed. It felt like Where's Waldo? trying to find them. (Their nest is high in the Laurel Oak tree. A squirrel nest is on the opposite side of the tree.)

Marc Holtsberg said he was at the Springlakes pool when this male Pileated Woodpecker lit nearby. 

A juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron visited Deb Coomer.

The Zinnia I planted a few springs ago said on its container that they could grow to 4 feet. They are that tall! I only planted a few. They self-seed. Plus birds eat and disperse their seeds, so there are now some along the pond edge.

Summer rains bring rainbows. Have you ever thought about what makes a rainbow? Just right atmosphere, amount of light and water, temperature? It appears, but it's intangible. As soon as one of the factors contributing to it is missing, the rainbow disappears.  

Last and important.

Summer also includes a family of Coyote nearby. (I've written about coyote HERE). Neighbors report 3 very active, cute cubs. BUT, we need your help to keep a safe environment for our residents, pets, and wildlife. How to help? It is so important that you do not feed any wildlife. No bird seed. No bird feeders. No feeding peanuts to squirrels. If you eat lunch on your front garden, patio, or courtyard, double check that no food is outdoors. Please tell your neighbors nearby and in other villages.

Additional help:

Wash your recycling materials before placing them in the bin. (This is required by the County, too.) 

No containers with food waste in recycling bins.

PS Our WS2A Board and HOA will share care and guidance information regarding Coyotes with residents and other HOAs. 

Coyote reminds us how to help all wildlife

Barb Reis took these photos of a Coyote. 

My first thought is a gentle one - this is a welcoming community to all creatures. This coyote senses Barb's kindness and is comfortable enough to hang out (briefly).

So here's a good opportunity to learn more about Coyotes in Florida. This fact sheet is full, beginning with "coyote bites are rare" and includes information about keeping children and pets safe.

Though coyotes are always around, the photos remind us to NOT feed wildlife.

Wildlife professionals and Wildewood HOAs are emphatic about the message of NOT feeding any wildlife in Florida. 

If you see anyone feeding wildlife, they may be visiting and not know why we don't feed birds or any wildlife. Invite them to learn how to support our habitat and wildlife.

Rabbit and rodents make up the bulk (90%) of the Coyote's diet in Florida

Just last week and before tropical storm Eta, Barb Reis sent this photo of a Coyote along with the message, "Look who just visited us." I think she meant, look who is looking for a duck lunch. No such luck this time about its lunch. 

Then Coyote headed over to a nearby butterfly garden to sniff the flowers. Or check for rabbits or rodents. "Rabbits and rodents make up the bulk (90%) of their diet in most areas." 

That quote is from this article HERE ("Dispelling myths about the coyote in Florida or more than you ever want to know about the coyote in Florida.")