Today is the National Wildlife Day, and it gives us all an opportunity to step back, take a deep breath and think about all that surrounds us. It inspires us to consider preservation and conservation efforts that work to improve the natural world. Here on the farm we see quite a bit of activity everyday. We do our part to retain natural habitats for the wildlife around us.
Local Wildlife
Local native animals we see around us include birds, all types of pollinators, deer, rabbits, chipmunks, and lots of bugs. I have always thought that it is so amazing that all types of wildlife are born with natural instincts. It is completely mind blowing to me that a weird looking worm can be born on a random plant, then know to nibble on that plant until some random time, when it’s like ok time to hang myself in a cacoon and completely transform into one of the most magical looking creatures on earth. And here I am born into this same world and can't do a single thing for myself. What a world....
Birds
Birds of all sizes are constantly flying around our property. Hawks, turkey vultures, cardinals, red winged blackbirds, barn swallows, blue jays, robins, hummingbirds. My mom has a beautiful flower garden outside our dining room. She puts egg shells out for the birds. Like clockwork, at 7pm, there are a family of these beautifull native birds that fly through and eat the shells. They fly so quickly and look like they are dive bombing the place!
Pollinators
We have seen so many happy pollinators this year buzzing around the farm. Bumble Bees, bees, wasps, beetles, and butterflies (Monarch, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Grizzled Skipper).
Mammals
White-tailed deer are prevalent on our farm. There are groups of deer that graze in our fields enjoying grass, soybeans and corn. Also Eastern Cottontail Rabbits hop around the farm. They are, in my opinion, some of the cutest animals that can be seen around here. Especially their little babies! (except for when they try to cross the road right in front of my car!) I always yell at them that they have all freaking day to cross the road and then they wait until I’m 20 feet from them and then sprint. Ugh! In recent years there has been a return of coyotes and just this last year a bobcat has been spotted.
It’s a privilege to be able to live and work around such amazing creatures and nature. We must always remind ourselves that although humans created an entire civilized society we are now immersed in, we are also living beings, part of this world, and we must live in harmony with this incredible planet. We can feel energized, revitalized and find our purpose when looking through this perspective."