It doesn't take much to remind me that - although we live in a city of a million human inhabitants - we are surrounded by at least that many animals and birds as well. Many species come out in the dark, when I'm rarely out. I don't even know they're there.
I see dozens of squirrels daily. It's rare that I look out the window without seeing one. Raccoons, chipmunks, mice, groundhogs, coyotes and foxes inhabit our neighbourhood, as well, though I see them less frequently. And, of course, lots of birds!
There are skunks, too ... one sprayed our neighbour's dog a few mornings ago when the dog was let out into the back yard. She's an indoor dog... For two days every window in their house was left open, until the scent of the spray disappeared!
Then, a few days later, this owl (a barn owl?) swooped into this same neighbour's garage workshop, three crows in wild pursuit.
Fortunately, the owl soon exited through the open garage door - then attempted to hide in our pine tree.
Eventually it flew away, still chased by the crows.
This little taste of wild animal life has reminded me that they all live here, among us, all the time... a fact I usually forget!!
