Groundhogs Unlimited

The Groundhog, also known as a Woodchuck is a member

of the squirrel family....yep, ground squirrels known as marmots..
Hard to believe isn't it?

'Nobody picks on a strong man"
That was a quote by Charles Atlas.
This picture made me think of him and I named it
"Chuck Atlas"
Why? because on his
emergence from the darkness to the sunlight this
groundhog thinks he can 'move the mountain'
and push over the shed....

Finding out quickly that he could not...

He decides to explore the yard.

Groundhogs weigh between 4 and 14 pounds and are
stocky built

They are very cautious.. because I have a dog and watch
carefully before coming out into the yard.

They eat a broad range of vegetation... and can wipe out your
garden in one day if you don't fence it. For this reason they
are not welcome in most peoples' yards.

Meanwhile out back the adults are playing
a different game.

sniff sniff...naughty I say.. Or is this how they know
who they are?

Awwww must be a girl and boy thing... When I saw this
I thought of 'muskrat love'... these fellas look alot like
the muskrat except for the tails.

These two pal around together... eating bird seed and corn
that I put out for the birds.

Don't stick your tongue out at me! This is what I do..take
your picture and put in on my blog. Hey! You could be a star.

I get up one morning and look out my dining room window
expecting to see a bird or two...and Surprise!! Hey! How
did you get up there?

This feeder is usually loaded with grapes and oranges
and it's even with my windows...

From the outside you can see it's about 5 feet off the ground.
Yes, groundhogs can climb and will for a free meal. I get ready
and watch and wait.... I want to see this creature climb up this
pole.

Here he comes through the yard.

and foot over foot... up he goes.. no problem

He looks really big up there on top of the feeder checking
out the fruit.

I shouldn't have been surprised to see him eat oranges...

Last year he ate apples under the tree as they fell on the ground

Starting in early summer and running through fall

until about mid October the groundhog puts on a heavy
layer of fat....

This will sustain as he hibernates from October until
he emerges in February.

I fill this little Cheshire cat full of corn and the
groundhog loves it... I can get many portraits

He becomes a ham and smiles just like the cat...

He welcomes a friend .. sharing the corn

A groundhog is also called a whistle pig. because they
stand straight up and whistle to sound the alarm of
danger. I'm sure you've gone by a field and seen
one standing there like a sentry.

They are active by day, especially early morning and
late afternoon. They seem to love a sunny day.

The birds are not intimidated by him... and feed
together. They live 2 to 6 years in the wild and
dogs and humans are their worst enemies.

I think he is blending in by trying to be one of the
statues in my garden...

'If I stand still she won't notice I am real" What a fun
animal to observe.

This was my summer in 'groundhog' days.

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things he Hath Done