Under the bird feeders

During daylight hours the colors
around the bird feeders are many; Gold Finch, Blue Jays, Red Winged Blackbirds
and Cardinals.

Under the feeders the tiny chipmunks,
brown with black and white stripes on their body shuffle about searching for
fallen seeds. They are actively running around under the half-filled three feeders.

They are not bothered by the occasional
Mourning Dove or Grackle that joins them on the ground.

Very often there are two or three chipmunks
playfully hopping and skipping to clear the ground of sunflower seeds and
shells.

There is no special time of day for their
arrival; whenever they come it is meal time. They fill their pouches and go off under a
bush or on top of the fireplace to enjoy their feasts.

At night between 12 am and 5 am my
visitors are skunks. Beautiful black and white fur accented with bright white
strips.

I wake often at night and turn on the
outside light to enjoy the night and early morning skies.

The skunks freeze for a moment and
the go right back to their search for their supply of fallen seeds.

I have gone outdoors at 3 or 4 am to
try and get some close up pictures. My
arrival causes the animals to freeze and they recognize my presence. I move a few steps forward, camera ready, and
I am confronted with what looks like two very large black eyes.

We are still, both of us, and I have
decided …should there be a battle, the animals have the advantage.

Pictures will come from the window
inside…

Any time of day or night there are colors
on or under the feeders.

ShirleyRabb