We have a chipmunk problem!

 

Be careful what you wish for! 

There's a population explosion going on here.

 

We had just one chipmunk for years. 

We named him/her Chippy and always enjoyed seeing that cute as

 a button creature emerge from hibernation each spring. 

Chippy must have found a mate somewhere underground this past winter!

We now have several scooting about the garden, coming up on the

 front porch to drink from the fountain, gorging and filling their pudgy cheek

 pouches with fallen birdseed, and digging in some of my potted

 plants. That's definitely a no-no!

But it's not just our garden riddled with chipmunks, neighbors near and

 far in our area seem to be experiencing a gigantic explosion of cute 

chipmunks in their gardens this spring. There have even been news

 articles about them showing up in eastern North Carolina toward

the coast, a place they never called home before!

Size comparison of the Eastern grey squirrel, of which there are millions 

and are a real nuisance when it comes to eating the birdseed, or anything

 else they can get their greedy little paws on, and the smaller chipmunk.

Yes, adorable, cute. . . . . . . and now also becoming a nuisance by 

causing holes all over the lawn and garden.

A few days ago I actually caught this chipmunk - perhaps Chippy or

 an offspring - in the pot of heliotrope, rolling around in the soil 

making a real mess and causing the plant to go sideways.  

I chased it off and had to repot the plant deeper.

Any new creatures sighted on your garden this spring?

Many neighbors are finding cute 'Bambi' fawns, often twins,

 tucked away for safety in their back gardens. Mama deer 

leaves them while she does other things but always comes back

 for them later.

Early in the week the most unexpected visitor seen in our 

neighborhood was a fairly large black bear! Several people were

 able to catch it on video running through their yards, crossing a street,

 and one woman filmed it climbing over her fence. It was last spotted

 heading toward a shopping center - wildlife officers are tracking it. 

We all hope it's not a mama bear who has been scared off and

 left babies somewhere!

These lovely animals are losing their natural habitats in this area

 due to the tearing down of older homes and clearing of wooded

 spaces for the construction of larger than life million dollar plus

 houses, apartments, office buildings etc. 

With Google, Apple, Amazon etc. set to move into the area and

 the population growing by leaps and bounds, we will see more

 changes in the months and years to come.

Called 'progress' but really more like destruction. Very sad!

On a happier note - the Carolina wren and Black-capped chickadee

 enjoying the seed wreath hanging on the front porch. We just bought two

more of these wreaths as the small birds are really loving them.

Garden green. . . . . and a new visitor!

Well, those expected gentle showers have turned into two days of very heavy

 downpours, especially overnight. Quite a difference in the garden colors, and

 even now, at noon, drenching rain still falls and steady breezes continue to wash

 off the dust and remaining springtime pollen. But enough is enough!  We are still

 looking at one more day and night with plenty more rain which we really don't need!

The hydrangeas love the rain, much cooler temperatures, and no sun to curl the

 edges of their perfect leaves and turn them brown.  The blooms are just starting to

 open, looking small but usually end up huge once all the tiny buds are fully open.

Some of my potted plants I've brought up on the porch, many don't need

 continuous watering for days on end, and seedlings certainly don't want to be

drowned or washed out of their small pots - basil mostly.

Oh, about the new visitor to the garden.  A surprising return of a chipmunk yesterday! 

 We had one named Chippy for several years who disappeared after hibernation

a year ago. This little guy/gal was running along the front porch yesterday morning, 

then headed over to the bird feeders and spent time with the squirrels - who tried

 to chase it away - but got along famously with this male cardinal as they

 breakfasted together.  I think we'll just continue using the name Chippy . . . . .

. . . . after all it may be the same one, just back from traveling!!!!!

Bad squirrel - we have a whole new family this spring and they are definitely a nuisance!

Just another garden wildlife story. . . . . . . . 

See you when it stops raining!

Good garden friends. . . . . . . .

It's been a while since I've seen chipmunk activity in the garden. 

This little cutie showed up a few days ago rustling about under the front

 garden feeder, picking up fallen sunflower seeds. . . . . . .along with

 Mrs. Cardinal whom you can see stuffing her beak with seeds. 

They apparently are friendly toward one another, remaining long 

enough for me to grab the camera and take a few shots from the

dining room window.

Rain last week brought a growth spurt in the garden. A couple of years back

 a chipmunk was living in a burrow under the plant to the left of the birdbath - perhaps

 this is same one!

I've also seen it out here in back, again picking up seeds under the feeders.

Loving the cheery look on this little cutie as he/she holds that seed with those

 tiny sharp claws. . . . . . .wildlife such as these delightful creatures are 

always welcome in my garden.

Happy weekend dear readers - hope it's lovely weather where you are.

 We spent several hours working in the garden yesterday as the temperature

 was pleasant - now it's heading back up in the 90's for the week ahead - much

 too warm for me!