When is a Tree NOT a Tree?

When it is a cell-phone tower.  It is great when technology blends in with the environment.

When is a Coyote NOT a Coyote?

When it is a FAKE.

Below are two pictures of the kids' soccer field, and it looks like there are three coyotes lounging around.  They were there last year, too.

one coyote

two coyotes

Here's one a little closer.  

note the stake and tail

And closer.

doesn't look much like a coyote this close

first we were tricked - we thought these were goose scat

Here's the deal.  Parks, athletic fields and cemeteries near Denver have a difficult time with geese leaving a mess.  So someone taking a page out of the fake-owl book decided to try fake coyotes to keep the geese from landing at the soccer field. 

We drive by this field often, and the population of geese eating the grass and making a mess is down considerably.  This year, they added a strip of black cloth on the southside of the northbound fake coyote.  This waves in the wind to further focus the geese's attention.

The last picture fooled me as I walked over to get a shot of the fake coyote.  At first it looked like the geese had been there by the hundreds.  But as some first impressions are wrong, it was the grounds crew running the aerator.  On second thought, goose scat is smaller, slimier and greener.

Indian Brave and Indian Princess at Children's Museum Halloween Party

The brave spotted me taking his picture.  The princess had no idea.

Friday is Veterans' Day

Thank a veteran today for your freedom.

This POW-MIA flag flies below the American Flag at Mt. Olivet Cemetery west of Denver.  I waited until the right breeze stretched each to their full glory.

While you are thanking a veteran for his/her service, remember those who were injured and killed while serving our country.

And don't forget their spouses, children, parents and other family members, either.  Our veterans' tour of duty wasn't easy for their family either.

Keeping Coyotes out of the Neighborhood

Food is the biggest incentive for coyotes to come to neighborhoods and around houses.   Coyotes are hunting all night, but they are especially active at sunrise and sunset. 

Here are steps you and your family can take:

• don't feed dogs, cats or birds outdoors in a manner that coyotes can eat leftovers.  If you must feed your animals outside, take the food away when they stop eating.  For birds, coyotes aren't usually interested in seed hushs, but will eat whole seeds if they are not suspended off the ground  
• discourage adults and children from give coyotes "treats" on the trail to get them to come closer.  Coyotes are wild dogs and can appear approachable
• Make sure your compost piles are protected from coyotes, and don't put any meat scraps, juice or gravy there.  When a vegetable might be tasty for coyotes, I sprinkle it with a heavy dose of coffee grounds
• discourage adults and children from leaving leftover lunches and snacks on the trail
• make sure small animals and chickens are in coyote-proof fencing (with top fencing) if they must be outside 
• barn cats need escape routes to rooftops and protective zones like sheds and garages with special openings whenever possible.  Most of our barn cats are great tree climbers

Thanks to the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife

Pink Cowgirl Boots on Sleepy Child at Craft Fair

Darling boots.  Notice the top of right boot where her puppy chewed it.  Only in the West.

Weather in the Teens

We will have more Indian Summer weather in Colorado, but right now night-time temperatures are hovering in the teens.

Consider these for the house:

• flannel sheets on the bed.  We still like regular pillow cases, though
• electric blankets, mattress warmers and extra blankets
• oven dinners and baking  bread

Consider these for the car:

• blankets in each vehicle so if you get stuck, you're warmer waiting for help.  I didn't say warm as cars in Colorado without our natural solar heat cool off quickly
• take your coat, hat and appropriate walking shoes
• flares and flashlights

Consider these for the pets:

• a place for them to get out of the weather and away from predators.  For us, either the garage or barn is their emergency spot.  However, ours hibernate in the house whenever possible 
• cat condos for one in their emergency spots - smallish boxes with insulation and soft clothes
• unfrozen drinking water.  We use electric bowls (garage sale). 
• small amount of dried food if we will be gone overnight (unusual).  We don't want to feed the wildlife.  We have had mice, squirrels and raccoons invite themselves for dinner and a drink. 

More on Coyotes

We went down to the Garden of the Gods Sunday and found a treasure trove of information on coyotes.  The coyote hide below was killed by a car and gloved skinned.  The hide is soft, but the fur is slightly wiry.

When you go, asked to see and touch their various animal skins.

They also had a display of coyote vs. dog tracks and a sample of coyote scat (poop).  See photos below.

Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife

front end of coyote skin

tall end of coyote skin

note similarities to dog to right

note differences to coyote to left

coyote scat