The deer are back - a welcome sight since all of the home construction and clear cutting of lots have frightened off many of our field animals. The woods behind out house were home to a resident bobcat, several deer families and other smaller critters. The bobcat hasn't been seen for about a year, making the lives of the feral cats much safer.
But, the deer are back - standing in the backyard for what seemed like a nanosecond and then running back through the woods to the next open space. I think it was checking out my hawthorne bush - one of its dinner delicacies. Still there, still tempting.....
Last year, one of our more unwelcome guests was a large black/brown bear. Viewed from the house it looked about 10' tall and easily 1000#. In reality, I guess 7' and maybe 400# would have been closer to the truth. We had heard stories of this bear visiting all the backyards around us and destroying birdfeeders while he ate all the available seed. We didn't realize we were next on his hit list until a neighbor called to say he was at our feeder, about 10' from the house. This was just past dusk, and looking out at this overgrown Pooh, lolling against my red oak tree, licking his chops over the finch food, was an experience! Safe in our house, we could admire him as a picture of complete relaxation as he snacked on our seed. Except for a missing TV set, he could easily be mistaken for my brother-in-law finishing up his Thanksgiving dinner. But, when he decided to amble toward our screened-in porch, possible to tear the screens and gain access to the house, my neighbor decided to act. Bringing out his pistol (he is a retired police officer), he fired into the air, scaring the bear away and driving half of our neighborhood to their telephones. As big as this bear seemed, he had a good track record as a runner, and that was the last we have seen of him in the area.
The next day, the animal control officer visited us, to make sure the bear hadn't been hit or hurt by the gun. Left to themselves, a bear will not bother humans. Barking dogs on a leash may seem threatening, but humans staring at him during his dinner hour won't bother him a bit. In fact, one of my neighbors tried to take a frontal picture without too much success until, by tapping at the kitchen window to get his attention, he caused the bear to amble up to the window, look in to see what was causing the noise, and the camera recorded a great picture of a very puzzled looking bear. But, a bear that's been hurt can become very aggressive. Since we could reassure the officer that the bear left here in good condition, we were only given a verbal warning about any future 'firing of an instrument that would sound like gunfire.'
So - the bear is gone and the deer are back...hopefully to stay for awhile, or until their homes are demolished again as we continue to become their uninvited backyard visitors.