We have a new turtle... or at least one we don't recognize. The one little male that we usually recognize has been marked with a tiny red heart on the far back of his shell. This one I quickly ran out and marked with 2 tiny red stripes on the right side of his shell (see them?)... and I rewarded him with a strawberry. They like to come up and eat the dry cat food, but they also like figs and strawberries.
The 3 young black feral kittens were fascinated with him and kept surrounding him, but would run away when I got too close. However, this black female who has been in and out our yard for years, came right up and checked him out. She didn't seem to mind that I was taking pictures.
Now I have to send this picture to my grand daughter who has a 'thing' for turtles. She also has her own turtle website and club. As of this summer, she now owns 3 African dessert tortoises, one Red-foot, one Eastern Box turtle (that is from our yard), and 3 Red Sliders (not to mention 3 horses, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and at one time a squirrel, several toads, and 2 alpaca). Yes, she has inherited my gene for loving all critters big and small.
I will close this today with one more picture of the raccoons that frequent our yard. They come every morning and evening (and occasionally in the middle of the day), look in the back door (as you can see) and scratch and knock on it until DH goes out and puts more food in the plates. Last night there were 17 of them (most are mamas and their babies). We really don't want to encourage them, but we do put catfood out for the ferals and don't discriminate. (It's similar to the squirrels and the bird feeders - all are welcome).
Our backyard is a certified wildlife habitat and even though we live in a suburban neighborhood, it is on a creek with a greenback and floodplain... thus, the abundance of critters.
Cute, all...
ReplyDeleteBut mmmmmmmm, may I please ask a question? Have you ever heard that it hurts turtles, to paint on their shells? Or is this not at all true?
And around here, we do not leave any food outside. We are in the city limits, but have a wooded area of a college campus, across from us. A Black Bear has been sighted on the campus.
So we do not, not, not leave any food outside. :-)
Gentle hugs,
"Auntie"
I think it could be hurtful to paint all over their shells, but I don't believe one tiny dot or 2 stripes can do any harm. But I WILL check to make sure.
DeleteWe have a 6 foot wood fence which keeps some predators out (like coyotes). Basically we get raccoons, possums, turtles, and feral cats(and of course birds and squirrels). I can't imagine not providing food, water, and a safe haven since it is us that have encrouched upon their habitat.
We used to have a bird feeder, and we fed birds. But the only way to it, could get very icy in winter. And the steps to the patio, to get to it, also could get very icy. We felt bad, but had to discontinue bird feeding. Because we could not take a chance on falling and breaking a leg.
DeleteAnd because we didn't want to have them in the habit of getting fed... And then having to stop a few days, because of weather conditions. -sigh-
Guess everyone has their 'own story.' :-)
"Auntie"
Yes, you are caring for the entire neighborhood of critters.
ReplyDeleteWe try... and we realize what we do is controversial, but to just ignore them when they're hungry or thirsty or need protection from the heat or cold seems wrong.
DeleteMy sister had a problem with the racoons ripping through their kitchen and bathroom screens to get into the house and steal food. We have some that will visit the hummingbird feeder for dessert if we don't take it in at night but they have not tried to actually come in the house. People on the other side of the road have seen bears up on decks. That would freak me out. There is a corridor to the east of us, but we don't see the bears. They stick to their established path so far.
ReplyDeleteWe have found that by feeding them (raccoons - not bears)they learn to go to the plates to eat and not tear up people's garbage, etc. We don't touch them or try to make pets of them. If they ever did anything destructive, we would probably have to change our methods. But we have been here almost 30 years and so far, this has worked well.
DeleteI think it's great you do this, but am glad you aren't getting coyotes in your back yard. I'd be a little freaked out by all the raccoons at the back door, though. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWe did get a coyote or two at one time - thus, the new 6 ft fence. And I do get a little freaked out when the numbers increase (as they have lately). But most of these are babies... and they will go off on their own soon.
DeleteHi, My name is Dee, What a fun blog..anyone who likes cats, critters, and chocolate is someone I would like to visit. I was not sure which blog to follow..I like each of them. I get excited to see one raccoon on my patio..LOL aren't they the cutest little things. Love your photo of them at your door. and I love your little turtle visitor. We have a toad that visits us on occasion.
ReplyDeleteHi Dee, I just visited your place also. The backroads of Michigan are beautiful. I will be checking it out further in the next few days. Thanks for coming by and do come back! :)
DeleteHi Rian, what gorgeous little raccoons. They seem downright courteous, waiting patiently for some food. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know about 'courteous', but they do act 'entitled'. And if you touch the window pane with your finger, they reach up and touch your finger.
DeleteA new turtle? Where did it come from? Here, you buy a turtle in a pet shop, you ALWAYS know where critters come from.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet bunch of raccoons, but 17? They take some feeding, and feral cats too. You should open an animal hotel, no, wait a minute, you already have one.
Friko, these turtles show up in our front or back yard all the time. They probably live somewhere around the creek. I've even found them crossing the road in our subdivision... and usually rescue them and return them to the creek area.
DeleteHow amazing is that shot of the Racoons ....I wish I lived near you.xx
ReplyDeleteand you live in Scotland, yes? Oh my, I don't think you want to live in Texas. I do love it next best to Louisiana, but it gets pretty hot here. And Scotland is so-oo beautiful.
DeleteThat's quite he livestock report you have given us. They're all fascinating critters. We get all kinds of them here in Canada, too. But not in our back yard!
ReplyDeleteYes, our backyard is 'active'. At times I feel that I have lost it to the critters, but that's ok.
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