Jungle

The deciduous trees (not the conifers) seem to have largely recovered from the deer infestation over the winter.

There's plenty of lost browse on the cedars that shall not regrow - and the small oaks are stressed and trying to recover.

The soft maples are toast.

The northernmost plantation is looking almost jungle-like...

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Do not be fooled.  Most of what you see is undergrowth (not available in the winter) and white spruce (which deer prefer not to eat).

Carpodacus Mexicanus

Sure.  I know.  Sounds like the name of a dinosaur from south of the border.

House finches. 

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They're a delightful bird and so social that they'll let you get really close for a family photo-op on the porch...

Deer With a Complexion Problem

Check this out...

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A deer with a serious complexion problem.  A crevasse along its right jaw line, dark warts on its face and a large knobby growth on its snout.

Did this animal run into a fence?  Get smacked by a car?  Get into a brawl?  Contracted a disease?  I'll let you know what I find out.

Buck

Nice photo of a curious buck checking-out the camera. 

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Haven't seen any fawns lately.

The Turtle Calleth

Chrysemys picta to be exact.

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The painted turtle.  The most common Wisconsin turtle that there is. 

The Frau and I were sitting on the porch the other day enjoying a refreshing adult beverage when this turtle materialized on the driveway.  She was heading north (in the direction of the pond) and most likely finished laying her eggs in a location with a south-facing exposure.  Like my garden.

Will have to keep our eyes peeled for little turtlettes...

The Garden Chronicles

Hot and sweaty day yesterday. 

Basic garden maintenance - pruning, weeding and mounding.  Details over at the other blog...

Sunset Moonrise

From last night.

A spectacular peninsula sunset...

And the Bad Moon Rising....

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It's really not a bad moon.  Just a Super Moon.  Or a full moon.  Bad photography and the naked eye cannot tell the difference anyway...