For several years I have had to deal with bats that like to hang out, literally, at night on my front porch. In a way I don't mind because they eat the bugs. OTOH, they leave bat guano all over the corner of the porch. Plus, I'm always afraid I will open the door at night and one might fly into the house. To solve the problem, I have been 'leaving the light on'. Detroit Edison can thank me later.
Daylight hours are no better on the porch. I was getting ready to open the door on Sunday when I saw this tiny little house wren flying into the glass door. It eventually flew off but I got this pic of the parent bird watching the young learn to fly. I guess they have a nest nearby.
Yesterday it was pouring rain in the afternoon. Well I guess that is not news since it seems to do that a lot here lately. I was pointing out this little toad that was jumping around in the driveway for my grandson. Still not sure if he noticed, but while I was doing so my son arrived to pick him up. I told him to make sure the toad didn't get into the garage. That is a problem I have dealt with in the past and do not wish to revisit.
He shooed him out of the way and when my son was ready to depart the toad was sitting under the overhang on the porch and out of the downpour. Don't know what species he is but they are all over my yard and I am no fan of them. Even if they do eat bugs. Nothing like thinking you are chucking a rock out of the flower bed only to discover that it is a toad. Yuck.
This afternoon though I had a real treat. I have lived here for 43 years. While I never saw deer back then, I did see grouse and wild turkeys. It has been a while since any turkeys came strolling through the neighborhood, but today it happened. I was outside doing some yard work while Charlie was napping and spotted this wild turkey crossing the road. To get to the other side, obviously. I ran into the house to grab the camera.
I actually like bats because I think I am a bit batty myself. I would not like their doo-doo though-stinky. The little bird is so cute and Mr. Toad looks OK to me. I recall picking them up when I was young and they would always pee on me. The turkey reminds me of Thanksgiving:)
ReplyDeleteOh and how could I forget the brilliant smile of that little boy-so very sweet
DeleteThe bat poop apparently carries a lot of disease. Don't want it on the porch or tracked into the house. Especially with Charlie here. I wonder how much that turkey weighed. She was huge!
DeleteOh, your grandson is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have bats in my yard. We once built a bat house and waited for years, but alas--no bats.
I love toads, so I'd take those off your hands as well. :)
I have a bat house. Had it for 20+ years. I do not think a bat has ever used it. I just worry about the disease in the bat poop what with Charlie here.
DeleteI just googled bat guano Denise. It isn't that dangerous. It can cause a fungus to grow in soil. which can be dangerous. Bats themselves can be rabid but only if they bite you is that a problem. When I was a kid they used to say you get warts from toads so I would never go near them.
ReplyDeleteWell, the site I was at said that guano was dangerous, so who knows? I've never worried about getting bit by them or getting warts from toads.
DeleteHere is what I read: Bat droppings can carry a fungus known to cause Histoplasmosis. Don't breathe the feces and avoid contact with them. Ideally, you should wear a HEPA filter mask and spray the fecal material down with 10% bleach solution.
DeleteWow, the turkeys. I first saw them at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and then in Orlando suburbs but have not had them here, only the deer, the fox and everything else in my WB woods. The bats fly by at night, thanks, I will never turn off my porch light again. I would not touch that toad for a million dollars. It's creepy. Birgit can come pick them up at my house too. And the grandson is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI figure there have got to be more turkeys someplace near here. It was just thrilling to see them. And Charlie is cute when he is behaving, lol. Thanks.
DeleteI love bats! But I think I would be a little creeped out if they were outside my front door. I'm okay with toads by slimy green frogs...and lizards...give me the willies. Having a turkey in my yard would be cool. I've always wanted to adopt/sponsor one. Which you can do through this site: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/giving/adopt-a-turkey/
ReplyDeleteYour grandson is adorable! :)
Thanks. Turkeys are so much cooler than the Canadian geese which poop all over everything. They are another nuisance around here.
DeleteJust saw a wild turkey in my backyard for the first time in like ever! It scared the life out of me. All I could think of was the movie Jurassic Park!😂 I'm in Detroit, MI and I live literally across from a stream that runs to a river. We have beautiful deer, rabbits and soon my yard will be loaded with frogs and toads. I googled large birds of Michigan that may be in your backyard. A picture popped up and when I clicked it, it brought me here! Thanks now I know. 2015-2018 I'm sure your grandson is a big boy and even more affordable. 😉
ReplyDeleteThat little boy turned 4 on Friday. Lots of wild creatures in these parts. My son lives at Woodward and 14 and had a deer in his backyard. That is just nuts.
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