All my backyard birds flew away when Mr. Cooper’s Hawk landed in our tree and then moved to the fence. There was a noise like “wooosh” when the quail took off. They sound like jets. I haven’t had many hawk sightings, which is fine with me. I think they are beautiful and the huge Harris Hawks I used to get look so regal. But they prey on doves and quail which I don’t like.
While my husband was out of town on business, this lone javelina stuck his snout through the fence under our bird feeder. I got pretty close to him, since I felt safe on the other side of the fence from him.
Next thing I knew, more javelina came out of the woodwork! In the end I counted seven. It was surprising that so many were hiding out in the brush behind our house.
Eventually they all walked away. You can watch this video and see how javelina seem to use their sense of smell more than their eyesight. That snout is busy moving and smelling me!
I was outside the other evening talking on the phone with a friend who lives close by. I spotted the biggest coyote I’d ever seen. I was sure it was a wolf, but my husband said we don’t have wolves here. I tried to get a photo of him, but he heard me and hid behind a shrub. I was looking for him through the fence and then decided I really should go inside the house and shut the door! What would I do if I found him? What if he could jump over our fence. I’ve seen coyote jump over the wall behind our house onto the golf course next door like it’s nothing. That wall is six feet tall.
Happy Wednesday everyone. I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my wildlife. Hopefully in a few weeks I’ll have baby quail photos to share!
UPDATE: I googled it. There are wolves out here. Hubby is wrong. That was definitely a wolf I saw. It was twice the size of any coyote and a different shape. Didn’t look anything like a coyote. UGH.
How’s your week going? Do you have anything exciting going on?
Wow, be careful of the wolves! Scary. Is the Javilina edible? Like bacon? 😂 I guess they scared of Mr and Mrs Red, eh?
People do hunt javelina and eat it. But it sounds horrible to me. They have a gland that really stinks that hunters have to remove or all the meat is tainted. I wish they were afraid of Mr. and Mrs. Red!
It’s always disconcerting when the really wild and dangerous animals start showing up. Might mean they aren’t finding things to hunt in their usual grounds and feel the need to expand their territory. Stay safe EA!
I think the wild animals are migrating to the mountains to avoid the heat. We’re on their pathway up north. We have an abundance of rabbits, quail and doves for the predators to eat.
You have the circle of life there. I would keep an eye on the wolf/coyote too. I know they’re scared of people and all, but I wouldn’t want them getting too close. The javelina too. Stay on your side of the fence little guy. Ha, ha.
There are some predators I wouldn’t want to encounter on my own. I’m going on a walk and I’m bringing my husband with me. I think there’s more safety in numbers! I’m thankful for the fence.
You might also want to make it a point to let him know that there are wolves in the area. Ha, ha. Yes, the beauty of life is that most animal predators tend to run away from humans. They like to know where we are, but tend to run away. Thank goodness.
I did let him know about the wolf. He said the same thing as you. He said I won’t see a wolf again and that it is afraid of humans.
Tell your husband that if the wolf does make a run at you guys then you plan to first trip him than you just need to be faster than him (and he’ll be safe because wolves are scared of people.) Ha, ha. Stay safe!
No thank you! I have a neighbor who encountered a mountain lion. She said she made herself really big with her arms in the air to scare it away. I tried that with a pack of coyotes out on a walk and they didn’t budge. I was fortunate that a gardener in a truck pulled up next to me between the coyotes and the sidewalk. I called my husband to come pick me up!
The javelina is so cute! Like cute in a homely way. That’s fascinating about the wolf. Thank you so much for sharing your abundance of wildlife. What a great show you have!
It is exciting to see the different wildlife around us. The javelina can be dangerous, even if they are cute! They see or smell all dogs as dangerous. So, people out walking their dogs have to be careful!
I know it’s probably not advisable, but I totally want to pet and make friends with that javelina.
❤️
I’ll admit I threw some carrots through the fence. Not smart but I couldn’t help it.
So many exciting sightings! I’ve seen a bobcat, a coyote, and several roadrunners this week. Fun fact: in the past 100 years, there has only been one death due to coyote, and that was a pack of starving coyotes in the early 1900s in Canada… they’re more scared of you than you are of them.
The wild creatures are out! I’ve only been afraid of coyotes when I was walking on Stagecoach Pass next to the preserve. I counted eight and I was alone. They stopped and stared at me! I was waving my arms yelling, and waving my coat. They were not afraid. But they have plenty of bunnies and other food out here. Thanks for the fact about them!
This is all round exciting and fabulous Elizabeth. I love that you saw a wolf
Thanks! I looked the wolf up and saw images of it online. It was definitely a wolf! It’s called a Mexican Gray Wolf. I had no idea they were here.
Wow! A wolf?! Yikearoonies! 😳😳😳
That’s a great word for my wolf sighting. I looked up Mexican Gray Wolf and saw photos and yes, that was it! Then I learned they are trying to increase the population in Arizona!
Whoa…stay safe! 😳😳😳❤️❤️❤️
I’ve only heard of one person who was attacked by coyotes and he lived through it! I think they were going for his little dog and he probably got in between.
How exciting… and a bit unnerving… to see a wolf! We get coyotes around here and we used to see red foxes, but they avoid humans as much as possible (which is harder and harder as we invade their natural environment).
I know they aren’t, but those javelinas look narrow enough to fit through your fence.
It was exactly exciting and unnerving to see a wolf. We have foxes too, but I’ve never seen one. The photo does make the javelina look thin enough to get through the fence, but in real life he can only get his snout through.
Ugh? How cool to see a wolf!
It is cool. But I never knew we had them before! Kind of scary too.
You have your own private zoo. Very cool, but be careful!
I used to walk alone each day. Now I take my husband! I feel safer.
😊 Good idea!
😊
You have a bit too many wild creatures.
We are next to a nature’s preserve with 131 miles of hiking trails. Next to that is a national forest.
Perfect location.
Perfect location for wildlife to wander. They don’t seem to notice they enter our neighborhood because we have wash behind our house and fenced in yard. That’s the animals thoroughfare.
And you can remain secure in your home
Yes! Plus the fence keeps most of the wildlife at bay. But most isn’t all.
Yes, some animals are very agile.
I would keep my eye on the coyote and his jumps. We are getting a lot done this week. It has been a great week! I notified the doc that I need a scan of my hip and she is arranging a time. I took the first step!
I’m glad you’re having a great week! Also that you’re getting a scan of your hip!
Yes, it has been 2 years since the last one. It is needed.
Good luck!
I might be lucky. Looks like the last one I was diagnosed with osteopenia. Weak bones. An alert was on it. Better than arthritis. We shall see.
That’s the diagnosis I recently got. My primary ordered a bone density test after I broke my ankle.
Let us know how it goes.
On the other hand, it is excruciating when I sit or kneel which indicates bone on bone.
That sounds really painful!
Yeah, doing my best to deal with it. I get very grouchy.
That’s understandable.
still mentally recovering from.our Florida visit. trying to finish planning Amsterdam trip and working on application to pitch conference
You’ve got lots to work on right now. Take care of your self post Florida!
having a pedicure at 3😉
I had my first pedicure post foot surgery yesterday. Pure heaven!
so relaxed….
Not only that, but there was major work to be done since my last pedicure was before our Christmas vacation. I had surgery in January. I felt like a new person.
My kids got me a beautiful purse for my birthday this month. I got my toenails painted blue to match! It’s an all beaded purse by Staud, which is a brand I’ve never heard of. I love it.
awesome!!
👍🏼
and the wolf….omg…
I was so surprised to find out we have wolves. I found a chart with a coyote next to a wolf comparing their size and shape. The wolf looks exactly like what I saw!
I can’t imagine….
My husband is convinced I’ll never see another wolf in my life. We shall see!
I admit I hope he’s right ..
Me too. It was a sight that was breathtaking, but not all in a good way.
I guess Mr. Cooper’s hawk was looking for dinner and wasn’t interested in your seeds. There are definitely wolves in your area, Mexican wolves, I think, are the ones found there.
I looked up wolves and you’re correct. They are Mexican wolves. I found photos online and a chart with a comparison between coyotes and wolves. I definitely saw a wolf, in my opinion. It was so much larger than any coyote I’ve seen — and we have big ones here. It also had a head and ears that were different from a coyote.
Well, hopefully they’ll stay away from the quails.
I think the wolf is gone for good. I’m sure quail are a staple of all the predators out here. Thankfully, we have dozens of them. Plus a dozen eggs that should hatch this week.
That’s good! They’re hatching this week? Awesome! I hope you’re able to get them on video.
I have to stay away the nest, so I can’t get them on video until after they are running around the yard.
Yeah, you’re right. I’m sure it’s going to be awesome seeing the little one running around.
I have only walked by our nest about once every three or four days. I haven’t seen any quail parents, so that is alarming.
Oh no!
It’s been so hot, maybe they don’t need to be on the eggs at all times?
Yes, let’s hope that’s the case. I found the following on the internet: “they only sit on the eggs to incubate them, typically beginning once the entire clutch is laid and lasting about 21–24 days.”
Thanks for the info! I had the date pinpointed at the end of this week to hatch. But I was going off the first four eggs laid. Two showed up each day until we had 12.
You’re very welcome. I’m rooting for those little ones all the way from Illinois. 🙏🏼
That’s awesome! I have a friend out here who says she puts something soft on the ground so that when baby quail fall out of the nest or try to fly, they have a safe landing. I may do that too. The planter the nest is in is two feet tall and the babies will land on concrete.
That’s a good idea. Anything to help keep those little ones alive.
😊
I feel like the first javelina that came out was prodded by his friends to see if there were any snacks available or any threats. LOL
Yikes on the wolf. But maybe wolves aren’t as scary to humans as coyotes? I have no idea which is a threat to us. Either? Neither? But it’s nice that you were right and your husband was wrong. I wish we had video of you telling him so.
Why yes, I am a catty person! 🤣
You gave me a good laugh! Yes, I enjoyed letting my husband know he was wrong! I bet that javelina was the Guinea Pig. Literally. That’s who javelina are related to!
Stay safe. It’s a blessing that you are able to see nature, wild and free. I am thankful they are still there. 💞
We have a nature’s preserve across the street. Then next to the preserve is a national forest. I love our location.