We are in our final few days of caring for out two
grandchildren and are shifting our focus to getting everything ready for the
arrival of family. This has been a fun
but tiring few months and a great way to have real quality time with the
kids. Caring for them certainly brought
memories of when our girls were young . Victoria was heavily involved in making
some Christmas cookies and Nico has enjoyed his second home during these final
days.
The small problem seems to be related to the winter
season. We have a large wooded area behind
our house and the area is well known for a variety of wild animals. The largest are the black bear and white
tailed deer. We have not had any problems with the bears, as we do not leave
our trash containers outside. Neighbors
who choose to do so, will occasionally find their containers overturned and
everything not deemed edible by the bears scattered everywhere.
Since we back
up to such a large woods, we have had the occasional deer in the yard. The last few weeks it has been apparent that
the deer were in the yard often overnight, as the piles of deer poop were growing
all the time. Now the last week or so,
we have seen deer boldly walking around the yard during the day eating the
grass. That is my small problem. When we moved in the house, the lawn had been
neglected by the builder and the first owner who lived here only a short time. We
have made real effort to bring the yard back and it is just starting to pay
off. Deer tend to eat the grass right to
the roots, often pulling the roots up, as well.
I spotted one enter the yard while I was out walking Halley without a
leash. I quickly scooped of the dog and
put her in the house before she disappeared in to the woods on the heels of the
deer. Amazingly, while all this was
going on the deer remained in the yard.
Then Victoria wanted to go out and see the deer. Even with us standing in plain sight, talking
in a normal voice the deer continued to enjoy my grass. After taking pictures and talking with
Victoria about deer, she just kept eating.
Even when I left the patio, approaching her, she became more alert but
kept on eating. You would think she must have known I had given up deer hunting
years ago.
Since we enjoy watching the deer, we will just have
to live with the damage to the grass.
15 comments:
I don't remember how you got the long term Grandchildren assignment but it looks like you have enjoyed it. Will you take it up again after the holidays? Interesting that the deer are so tame. Are they out of habitat with a lot of building around? Bears in my backyard would be "very" interesting.
That is a dilemma. Sometimes we get them around here, and I worry for the dogs, and for that matter us, as they are carries of ticks that carry lyme disease... But I do like to see them.
We have deer in our yard in Ohio also. They are such lovely graceful animals. So far...no damage to the grass. We have lots is snow right now also. We can see where they dig. In my garden...now that isn't good.
For what it's worth, one of the workampers here told me that shredded Irish Spring soap is a good deer repellant. Don't know if it works or if it's an old wives tail.
Beautiful animal. It sure makes up for some grass damage, if any.
Deer would be fine. A bear, not so fine.
Deer are fascinating to watch, but I can see where they would pose a problem for the lawn. I would prefer to put up with the deer, but it's a personal choice.
Lovely looking, healthy deer!! and I don't believe for a minute that you desire to be here, with frozen water and ice everywhere :) Oh, Luci thinks that deer poop is jelly beans :) ice, huh?
A dilemma indeed. We enjoy watching deer when they come into campgrounds or when we are out and about; not sure how I would feel about them if they were in my yard. Most likely, we'd let them go about their business.
I feel for you. Deer and grass. Hope you find a solution.
We had frequent deer in our yard in Oregon and never had a problem with the grass. They sure did like the rose bushes though. Lots of neighbors put up deer fences around their yards or gardens.
I love the deer but probably wouldn't be too happy if they did damage. On the other hand, I wouldn't like the black bears anywhere close.
Those deer obviously have no fear of humans which is probably not good for them in the long run.
Great pics of your beautiful grandchildren. You are both in for some well-deserved rest and recuperation.
Kids, cookies and Christmas doesn't get any better for grandparents.
Maybe if you had a salt lick in the woods, they wouldn't eat the grass? I have no idea. Strange when these 'wild' animals get so close. Merry Christmas and all the best in 2014.
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