I am not alone

Do you ever have the feeling that you are not alone?

That someone is watching you?

I find that I am surrounded by little critters and creatures in my garden,

and that my family and I are not the only residents on this property.

Sometimes their presence is not obvious, you have to really pay attention and see.

Can you spot the three birds on the tree above?

Some creatures are fairly stationary and melt in to their surroundings in terms of shape and color. Others provide plenty of movement and and beauty and are impossible to miss.

Others exhibit behavior that is bold, energetic and sometimes a bit loud and mischievous.

Their presence is most often not deterred by my presence.

Then there are those that melt my heart every time their feather light body swoop in and lands on a flower stem to have a snack. I want to thank them for choosing my garden and tell them to "go ahead, eat as much as you want".

There is one that always puts a smile on my face because when it spots me, it freezes and thinks that if it doesn't move, I won't see it. But I do, I saw it first. And to this one I want to say "Go ahead, eat the clover but leave my flowers.".

And lastly, the mystery residents and visitors.

Sometimes you see traces of activity, but you just don't know who or what.

As I was gardening one day, I was stepping on some ground-cover to reach some weeds. As I stepped back, I noticed some movement. For a moment I got a bit worried wondering if I had possibly upset some kind of hornets nest in the ground and contemplated running inside. Then I saw how it moved and figured it might be some kind of tunneling animal, like a mouse or something. I have lots and lots of little entrances on my flower hill, probably close to one every square yard. And I imagine that I have an underground tunnel system more impressive than the London Subways.

I have long suspected chipmunks or voles, but never seen anyone enter or exit these tunnels until the other morning. And I caught it with my camera. I think this is an infant vole.

I am afraid I might have a fairly large population of these. Fortunately, they have not been bothering my plants or their roots... yet.

Well, that was one mystery solved.

All these critters and creatures are part of what makes my garden alive and "homey" to me.

Annelie