The vast forests of the northwest are famous for cryptids such as the Sasquatch, a fabled furry forest creature. They are rumored to look like a tall human, and there are people who would love to capture one. Their only proof of existence being rumor and a rather dubious home movie. But there are other creatures to be found in the northwest, like these.

This baby was spotted crouched on a stump, in preparation to disappear into the shrubbery.

This one was seen sunning itself on a mossy rock, it seems safe enough.

Here’s a freshly hatched baby, and where is it’s mother? I hope she’s close at hand.

This is obviously a land turtle, as there is only a trickling stream nearby, but there is plenty of delicious greenery.

Why I do believe this is a pterodactyl (one of my favorite dinosaurs). I must have startled it, so it’s taking off.

Actually, these are not real relics of the past, but in the forest, hidden among the tall pines it seems possible. These creatures are a labor of love, artfully ensconced in a believable setting, and are a minor tourist attraction that appeals to the 5 year old inside of us (well, at least I have this). And I think probably that one is more likely to encounter dinosaurs than a Sasquatch, so I found these figures enchanting. And if you find your way there, they are waiting still, for you.

As my house is near a park/open space, there are a lot of deer that wander through the neighborhood enjoying the landscaping and hanging out.   I have named a number of them, although I am not sure if they recognize their names.  🙂   Some I see only occasionally, and others I see more frequently.   And these ones are my favorites, although I do love them all.

This is Rosa, who is the friendliest of the bunch.  She came right up to me the other day when I was out fetching the newspaper.   She just seems to like people.  She had a reddish ear, so I decided her name must be Rosa.

This is Tamara, and she is quite easily spotted.   She stopped by without her youngster for once (he must have been off learning how to be a stag).   She has been coming by for the past three years at least.   I’m not sure how she injured her leg, my veterinarian friend though that she might have been struck by a car.   Her full name is Tamara the lame, but she still gets around and enjoys a full life.

This stag is the newest deer to be hanging around the house.  From the shape of his antlers, I have decided that he must be Albert’s grandson (Albert used to sleep under the deck some years ago).   He had obviously been fighting and lost an antler.  He also has an injury to his right hock.  I called the Department of Wildlife to see if they could patch him up, but they only euthanize injured animals (not an option).   However, they did say that he could survive with only three legs, and that there are a number of three legged deer wandering about town.  So I do make sure that he has plenty of water, and I am hoping that he makes a recovery as he seems to be rather nice for a stag.

My friend’s great-grandson stopped by one day and was excited to  see the “cows”, so now he expects to see them every time.  But they are on their own schedule, and I feel fortunate when I get a glimpse of them.

It is always nice to come home after being away.   Home is familiar and comfortable, just the way one likes.   And we have the many sayings that reflect this “there’s no place like home” or “home is where the dog is”, etc. etc.  My house is not only home to me, but there are a few others that share this address, although they do not get much in the way of mail.

A Pine Siskin (a sort of sparrow with a bright  red head) decided that right by my front door is a great place to put a nest and raise a family. The spot is sheltered from the sun and rain.  I usually go out the garage door, and that is okay with this bird.   But the siskin gets vexed when I peep out the window to see what it’s up to, so I try not to do this.

Out in the back yard, the ‘esquilos perversos’ or evil squirrels have made themselves at home.   They need to enjoy it now, because the hot tub is going away this summer, so they had better load up their tiny furniture and move.

This hole doesn’t look like much, but I’m pretty sure that it has a comfortable lining of soft dried grass and fur (I did watch her constructing this).

And this is the architect of said hole, the bunny former know as Pete. Because the bunny hides the entrance whenever she leaves, I suspect that there is a baby bunny living in there as well.   None of them pay rent, but they all make this home a better place to live (well maybe not the squirrels).

 

I think that Rosa has become the matriarch of the neighborhood herd.  She is certainly the friendliest and least fearful of the local deer.  That is Adele standing in the background, she is a little skittish and is ready to bolt at the slightest thing.

Adele does have a sweet face to go along with her shy disposition.

 

Tamara (the lame) used to be the matriarch of the group.  But she has a crooked leg, so she is just not as swift as the other bunch.  She has been hanging around for a couple of years, so I know she is older than the other does.

This is one of the youngsters of the group.  I call her the angry deer because of the eyebrows, but she’s not really angry.  She’s the oldest of the youngsters, I think and the offspring of Tamara.   She’s medium skittish, but always glad to see me.

This was the view out my front window one day last week.  The herd makes the best sort of lawn ornaments!