Meet Ralph. He has been living up in our attic and walls and making all kinds of disturbing noises at night. Lately, Buddy noticed some of our plants had been used for a diner meal by some unknown animal. He came up with an idea for protection: the grill, two rise trays removed from the grill, plexiglass, some beaded board and the propane tank. Only something small would be able to break the barrier. Well, one did and nibbled off the tops of two of his little flowers. Well, that did it, and of I went to Lowes for a friendly trap that you bait with food, and when the animal gets in it and the door slams shut, you have pick up the cage and release him far, far away.Well, we got him and it oh, so quiet now. Bud calls it a Wood Rat. He’s so cute with his little pink eyes. By the time Bud got him up in the woods of North Mt., he was scared to death. Finally, he tilted the cage and Ralph scampered off into the woods. The house is certainly quite these days :-)
I am not sure which bird this is, but he surely was enjoying the food left at the entrance/exit from a part of the Appalachian Trail. Please let me know what it is. While I was waiting for my two hikers to return from their 10 day hike (I shuttle hikers to and from the trail), I spotted this hungry guy. He would get the food into his mouth and then fly off with it. I did not ever see him actually eating the food in front of me, and I was not able to get a frontal shot.
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looks like a crow to me. :) the ones i get here are american crows. they stack up crackers like that and fly off with them.
ReplyDeletewell, glad ralph got relocated. we get mice in our walls, sometimes, and i have to kill them with bait - not a good odor for a while.
I'm glad that you little critter is back in the woods. I don't like critters in my house.
ReplyDeleteThe bird looks like a black bird, hah, maybe it is a special kind. I can't believe all the stuff in his beak.
Sounds like you are keeping busy. I hope you are doing okay. xo
How big is that bird? Larger than a crow?
ReplyDeleteRalphie did okay! Usually when I catch a rodent in a live trap, it's on a bitter cold night and we have to drive a half mile away and then release the creature in the dark.
Oh Genie, I am so glad you used a live trap for Ralph, bless you! So many people exterminate little creatures like this. I'm not a bird expert, but it looks like a crow to me.
ReplyDeleteI do hope poor little Ralph doesn't find his way back home ... even though he is pretty darn cute.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear Ralph has a new home (you hope). Looks like a crow to me ... they collect and eat everything! Happy Critter Day!
ReplyDeleteI use the same method for relocating squirrels that harass the birds and their feeders. Since I've come home 5 days ago I've given three tree rats new homes far far away from here. Things are peaceful and quiet once again. I like that you provide shuttle service for hikers on the App Trail. You should do a post on that someday, including a picture of your clients.
ReplyDeleteHope Ralph happy in the new place. The crow looks so busy.
ReplyDeleteWhat does the crow have in its mouth in the last shot? #cameracritters
ReplyDeletehttp://naturalbeautism.blogspot.com/2014/05/atkins-pickle-fest-2014.html
Of course, it is a crow - they love to collect things and I can think of many times finding crows nests with all kinds of things in them - they especially like bright and flashy objects and will collect forever. Really great shots Genie.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how you felt with Ralph living with you...bet you are glad he is gone! Even if he is a cutie!
ReplyDeleteI think we had Ralph in our attic crawl space. Now that it has been over 108 degrees here, however, "Ralph" has relocated on his own!
ReplyDeleteCheryl Ann in So. Calif.
I hope Ralph has a good life out there. I'd say that bird is a crow. EXTREMELY smart and resourceful.
ReplyDeleteI hope Ralph is enjoying his new location.. I think the bird is a crow too, great shots.. I am catching up after being away..Thank you for linking up to my critter party.. Have a happy day!
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