Where the wild things are ... still!

It's funny, so after our ugly turkey vultures... it's been nothing but wildlife and adorable creatures around here. The adventure started last week when Chris went out to water the flowers. He went to turn on the spicket under the kitchen window, and he heard a rustling in the leaf-filled window well right next to the faucet.

To explain the arrangement, we have a few boards leaning up against the house to prevent the window well from filling with rain, thus keeping our basement dry.

So the first thought was oh gee, I think we've got a mouse in the window well... but after pulling back the boards, quite a different critter was waiting to say hello! Let me introduce you to Rhiyana... pardon her heavy eye make-up. :)



Here's a picture looking at her from Chris' desk.

We really thought she was going to settle in for the long haul and have babies. She was a small raccoon, but definitely had a very pregnant tummy on her. (thought she might be the next octo-mom!) But after 5 days of her free-loading at the Twelve Gables B&B, our adorable raccoon left to find more suitable arrangement to have her little kits. I think the dogs barking inside may have made her a little uncomfortable.

Just wait though... our wildlife story doesn't end there!

So today, we had some wicked bad storms that rolled through. Crazy winds, over an inch of rain, and it all rolled in so fast. So we hunkered down, read a book and when the storm passed and the skies were blue again... look what was waddling down our driveway...



Yes, this is Ted, our adorable little turtle. By the time I got my camera and got outside, he had waddled into the grass and was heading back to the woods. I got down to shell level to get to know Ted the Turtle better, he's middle aged, lives in the pond next door, and likes long walks in green grass. If you happen to bump into a single, Tina Turtle, Ted's number is 1-800-Got-Shell.

So that's the most recent adventures in Dawn & Chris' Wilderness Rescue. Chris said in all his years living here, he's never seen this much wildlife on such a regular basis. That is must be my good chi that they feel so welcome here. I still don't have any pictures of our drunken robin. The Mr. & Mrs. have nested down and I'm sure are sitting on eggs at this point.

Our little fox was running around early last week, but I didn't get any pictures. I just stared in awe at the beauty that surrounds us. I hope these warm & fuzzy pictures make you feel better than seeing our Turkey Vultures. Stay tuned for the next episode of Chris & Dawn + the 4-leggeds!

Love to all!