Trick or Treat?

 
Our yard has no shortage of spiders. Our basement has no shortage of spiders either, for that matter. In the spirit of the Halloween season, I give you this spider web, a trick for those of you who are afraid of spiders, a treat for those who can appreciate a nice web. Happy Halloween!

Intruder Caught

 
Recently police have been warning county residents about a serial burglar who enters through open garage doors or open doors and windows. I forget the total number of burglaries but it's enough to make you a little on edge. Today I noticed the garage door light flickering on and off, leading me to believe something was in the garage. Turns out its that dirty groundhog again! He was right under the door sniffing a banana peel I had carelessly left on top of the full compost pail. I guess that's what I get for failing to dump the kitchen waste in a timely manner. The other day my husband opened the door to put something in the compost pail, and sure enough the groundhog was right there. All it takes is one time to forget to close the garage door, and sure enough the intruder will take the opportunity to check out the premises and help himself to whatever he wants.

Mystery Solved

 
 
 
During the blizzard, something dug a big hole under our house. Turns out it's a groundhog. We haven't had one for years. It must have moved in from across the street. It also has a hole under our porch. One day I was trying to get a picture when it was under the porch, and a few minutes later, it appeared on the other side of the house. Either we have more than one, or its burrow goes all the way from the front of the house to the side. I hate to think what it's doing under there, but actually I don't really give it much thought. What's worse is that it eats everything I plant. About the only things I can grow are hostas and mums, both of which it likes to dine on. I just planted a mum covered in flowers and then it ate about half the flowers off. I affectionately refer to him (or her) as "that dirty groundhog!".

Butterflies and Bees

 
 
 
I'd like to say these pictures are from my yard, but they are not. They are from a local garden. I did buy a butterfly bush so maybe it will attract some butterflies next year.

Hummingbird

 
This is not a good picture, but hummingbirds are fast. We finally had them coming semi regularly for about a month or so, when before they would only pass through. Next year I will be more diligent about putting out the feeder for them.