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After a stressful work week, it’s nice to sit back and enjoy your surroundings — even if you haven’t quite made it through the entire week.

Yesterday was just one of those days. I couldn’t seem to focus on my work and with so many projects in the works; it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed at times. So, for me, the best thing to do is simply take a break and that is exactly what I did.

Stellar Jay

I went out on the deck to watch the birds and snap up a few pictures. We were just a little naughty, too.  Last year, my husband wanted to show me something his great-grandfather used to do — tie peanuts in the shell on a string and hang them from another. It’s fun to watch the birds try to get the peanuts off the string.

This year the hubby got the bright idea to use an old pan we had sitting around and placed some peanuts in the corner, with the pan perched over the edge of the deck rail, so when the Stellar Jay tries to take the peanut, the pan falls, startling the bird.

We spent about an hour setting it up and watching the birds. Some are very brave, others have to work up the courage. Finally, one brave soul snags a peanut, the pan falls, making a loud noise. It was very funny — perhaps the bird didn’t think so, but he didn’t leave.

We got out the video camera and set it up again. We caught the entire thing on video, but in the process of copying it over; it crashed and was accidentally deleted — so we lost the entire thing. I’m bummed.

I did however; get some nice images to share with you all.

Those of you who have been following my posts will recall my mentioning the purchase of new metal cans with locking lids, last fall, to prevent access by area wildlife. These cans have worked wonderful until…

Yesterday, we stopped at the Sonora Feed Store and purchased some wild bird seed and some black oil sunflower seeds for the birds, and to be honest, just as often the squirrels eat it too.

Raccoon

Later, while shopping at the Twain Harte Market, I noticed they had unsalted peanuts on sale. Well, the Stellar Jays simply love peanuts (and Almonds), so I purchased a couple bags, which I dole out to them a few handfuls at a time.

When we arrived home, we took the time to empty the bird seed into the metal cans, along with the peanuts and the corn cobs we still had on hand. My son and I filled up the bird feeders, secured the lids on the cans, making sure they were locked. But we made one fatal mistake, we left the cans sitting on top of the table, instead of under the tables as usual.

This morning, I opened the door to the deck as usual, only to find a huge mess. Why I didn’t take pictures I’ll never know — but the funniest thing was, I actually thought the Stellar Jays made the mess. My husband was quick to point out that the birds could not have opened those cans and I piped up and said, “Sure they can, they can just push those handled down with their bodies.”

The problem is, there is no way they could possible have pried the tops off. I feel like an idiot even thinking about it now. There were peanut shells everywhere – the tables were both covered, the carpet was covered; the raccoons must have had a field day last night. They barely touched the bird seed.

Dead Raccoon

So much for my wildlife-proof metal cans.

We finally got the mess mostly cleaned up. I went to the store and picked up a few more bags of peanuts but this time, I’m leaving them in the house. So far those crafty little raccoons haven’t figured out how to unlock our doors — yet.  We always have to stay one step ahead of nature and it’s not always easy.

I admit I felt kind of bad, when we found this poor little raccoon, dead in the middle of the road that very morning. I won’t deny the little critters drive me nuts, but I’d never wish one dead and certainly not a death like this one.

I have to shake my head in wonder, as I see cars zip up and down these mountain roads like they were hell bend for election and nothing was gonna stop them. What’s the rush?

Caution: Deer Crossing

One bright sunny day our family had made it’s way up to Sugar Pine Ridge to pay a visit to a family member. As it turned out the family member was not home.  Just as we had maneuvered the car around to leave, we saw the most incredible sight. What a time not to have my camera ready.

There, just a few feet in front of us, was the most astonishing view — two mother lions with two baby cubs were walking down the center line on Middle Camp Road. Incredibly they didn’t pay us a bit of attention and didn’t appear to care about traffic or anything else for that matter.

Mountain Lion

This little guy wasn’t so lucky. The sad thing is, as we have travelled up and down Highway 108 and Tuolumne Road, we’ve seen about a dozen mountain lions and bobcats slain by the side of the road. The vast majority were yearlings, who probably had no idea cars could travel so fast.

This year alone we’ve seen deer, fox, lions and believe it or not, snakes who have been run over and killed. We make it a point to stop and investigate when we can. I’d hate to think of an injured animal suffering on the roadside.

My advice to mountain travellers: Slow down, take your time and enjoy the fresh air, nature and our beautiful surroundings and remember to watch for wildlife, who may be crossing the road. Maybe you will even have a camera handy.