The berry season is over and I have begun planning for next year. I want to expand the berry beds so this includes clearing out some areas that have been overgrown with brush for over thirty years. As I was working I came upon this bone. This is not unusual in our rural area of the county. When my children were young sometimes they would find a bone in the woods and bring it home.
After a bit more clearing I came upon this:
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| animal skull as seen from the underside |
Hmmm, curious. I continued and not far away saw this:
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| deer skull |
Now I was wondering and remembering an event from last fall. We had a day when there were two roadkills that ended up in our yard - a deer and a raccoon. My husband and son pulled them into the brush. The next morning something had pulled them out and left them in a small open area. I remember that had me curious and a little nervous. I continued working and came upon this:
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| coyote den |
I know it is hard to tell the size but I was too nervous to get up close and place something beside it so that you could tell the size by comparison. Believe me, this was no groundhog hole. I thought of the rumors I heard of coyotes in Earl Township so I decided to do some research. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission there are coyotes living in every county of Pennsylvania. They even build dens under people's sheds in suburban areas if they can't find a more suitable spot. An article in a Pittsburgh paper referenced coyotes living in the city parks and between 400 and 2000 living in Chicago. http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/outdoors/2015/06/26/Coyotes-are-everywhere-but-they-pose-little-threat-to-humans/stories/201506260005
Now I know why there are very few rabbits in our yard compared to years ago. Also, we don't have many chipmunks. As I continue working on my berry beds I will leave this patch overgrown for my coyote neighbor.
Rejoice in the beauty and mystery around you. Go outside and see what you can find that you didn't expect.
