I’ve decided that the House seems to be a magnet for animals. Of course I’ve mentioned the House Hare, who while he/she doesn’t stay around all of the time, spends a day or so every week here. There were the two wolves that had stopped by this past winter, and the lemming. About a week ago there were Ermine tracks that led under the house, and today I noticed that there were Arctic Fox sign (tracks and scat) underneath and around.
Now the Fox sign has me a little concerned on the account of rabies. This weekend Travis and his friend Chantel were sliding, and when they came in he told us that there had been a puppy that chased them and scared them. Later, we found out that it had been an Arctic Fox. When we asked them about further we found that the fox had been mere feet away from Travis and had run around him twice. Leah’s sister said that she had never seen a fox that small before.
But of course my favourite wildlife here are the Ravens, who ride the wind when it sweeps around and over the House. They also love to perch here, both on the peak, and on the deck railings. How can you not love a bird who come and hangs out for your clients to admire while they sit in the dining room.
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When does the landscaping go in?
I looked at those photos and wished I was there, looking out at the raven, with the smell of casseroling lamb shanks filling the house.
Ah, I see, the house hare always lived at the House, not where you used to live. Great raven–adds a friendly dimension to that beautiful, but stark landscape.
Nice! I’m not sure why I was surprised that rabies exists in the far north. It makes sense of course but for some reason I didn’t expect it.
Actually the landscaping was already done. It should be fully in bloom around the first week in July, although I did collect some River Beauty seeds this fall and scattered them on the land fill in the hope they’ll catch. They do like newly broken land.
Lambshanks are in the oven Pete, come on up.
Ah the House Hare, yes it is here she/he lives, although she did come and visit at the other place once this winter, scared me as I walked up from Leah’s folk’s place.
Actually one of the two strains of rabies is thought to have originated with Arctic Foxes, so in a sense it makes more sense here than down south (In a sense it makes more sense? Man I’ve got to get a thesaurus)
I thought most communities just shot arctic foxes on sight because rabies is so prevalent with them. Judging by the fox’s unusual and agressive behaviour, it’s a good possibility it did have rabies.
As for the ravens, they are remarkable birds. But people keep telling me stories about how their puppy or small dog was carted away by ravens.
I’ve yet to figure out if this is true, or just one of those stories you tell new arrivals too stunned to know the difference.
Ravens perching on your deck. Your place is special. Their keeping an watch over you.
I don’t know Craig, they must be telling you tales. In all my years living around Ravens I’ve never heard of them stealing pets… golf balls yes, cel phones yes, pet’s dog food yes, but never the pet themselves. They are without a doubt one of my favourite birds, the brainy ones.
And they are one of Dave’s favourites also. You’re right Dave, the place is special, and the Raven’s make it doubly so.