Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join the Adventures of the LLB gang. Wilson here. After setting records for 10 of the first 11 days of October, autumn finally arrived this week and with the cooldown, we also received close to an inch of rain. The super El Niño we’ve been tantalized with by Nature actually provided a nice long rain shower over Tuesday and Wednesday. What a joy to be able to finally be able to measure moisture in inches instead of drops. And snow has hit the high country in the season’s first storm. Woohoo.
Wilson: Zzzz…mlem…oh hello. {Sleepily} Good morning. It’s still pretty dark outside and I’m feeling rather comfy here…yawn…while waiting for things to warm up. It’s currently 36F (2.2C) outside so this spot on the sofa is cozy and warm. We’re currently under a freeze warning until later this morning.
The Mum: Good Friday morning, House Pony…you plan on getting up any time soon?
Wilson: Only if there’s breakfast. It’s quite toasty here and I’m rather enjoying it.
The Mum: Well, I just made up your dish and it’s ready for…
Wilson: Bouncing up and racing into the kitchen. You don’t have to ask me twice.
The Mum: {snickering} I kinda thought you might be interested in food. I’ve never seen you turn any down. So what have you got for us this week?
Wilson: {nom, nom, nom} Umm, hang on a second {inhaling his breakfast}.
The Mum: Why don’t I get us started while you eat breakfast. A few days ago we were walking along the creek trail when I noticed a couple of coyote pups in the wilderness habitat meadow area. They split up, one ran south, deep into the trees and the other one ran north across the trail. This pup stopped and turned to watch us. Isn’t he gorgeous? He looks nice and healthy. After a few seconds, he moved into the deep undergrowth.
Wilson: Here’s the meadow he ran through. I wasn’t sure what to think. I think he felt the same way about me, Mum. 
The Mum: I love seeing them in person. I’d heard them earlier yipping just before dawn but hadn’t seen them along the trail for a while so this chance encounter was quite serendipitous.
Wilson: We had another encounter with a critter a couple of days later. Because it’s been so dry and warm, the canal has all but dried up. Not sure where the beaver went, but the raccoon was checking out his summer home. That little pile of sticks to the entrance of his little den can be seen in the lower right hand side.
The Mum: We’re finally seeing some leaves changing colors finally but it seems fairly apparent, this is not going to be a vibrant year for color]. So whenever I see a spot of color, I have to grab a shot of it. Wouldn’t you know it, I’m pretty sure it’s poison ivy. Well, we won’t be walking through that spot but will admire the color from the safety of the path.
Wilson: Poison Ivy?? Yikes, Mum. Yeah, no, I won’t go sniffing for great smells there, rest assured.
The Mum: You got that right. There is a lot of wild things that we need to avoid but we sure feel lucky to be able to see stuff like wild animals and amazing flora right off the path.
Wilson: I know I can count on you to protect me, Mum. Well that’s it from us. We hope you have a marvelous weekend. Have any special plans? Whatever you do, we hope you are able to enjoy a beautiful autumn weekend.
The Mum: We are on baby watch, getting ready to welcome the second great grandbaby. Little Halia will be joined by a new brother. I’m beyond excited for my sweet granddaughter and the whole family. Just received word that they left for the hospital a little bit ago this morning. Squeals!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
I like the color and the raccoon. Not so much the poison ivy. The clear winner is Wilson snuggled up on that couch. I’m pretty sure he know how adorable he is. Sorry if his head get stuck in the next doorway.
Chia: Coyotes? Do you have roadrunners, too? I could be a roadrunner! I run really, really fast! XOXOX
Lucy: Hey, Wilson, that’s how we all eat. Hope Mom didn’t notice your slow-eating-down bowl… *wags and kisses*
A new baby, how wonderful! Hoping everything went in delivery and Mom and baby are doing well. Can’t wait to see the pictures!!
So lovely you’ve had some rain and golden autumn colours Monika and I love the way you captured the young coyote. How exciting to welcome Halia’s wee brother into the world! Here’s praying all will be well and a blessed weekend to you all 🤗❤️🐾 xxx
Many thanks, Xenia. We’re all very chuffed he has arrived. Enjoy a lovely autumn weekend and please give precious Bria a gentle ear rub from me.
We’ve had both bear and coyote in our neighborhood — I think they are hungry due to the drought. 🙁
No doubt. Haven’t seen evidence of bear. Yet. But have been told there was one roaming around east of Indiana. Have a great weekend.
How exciting to be awaiting a new member of the family! Love all the photos – the young coyote was brave enough to pose for a photo. Leaves changing means Fall is falling and we have lots of beautiful colors here in Virginia as we change seasons. Wilson looks like he might have had a recent trim?? Mr. Handsome!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
Thank you. New new prince arrived and he’s beyond adorable. The family is thrilled to welcome his presence.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. About 30 minutes ago, as I took Wilson out for his morning airing and we heard the coyotes along the canal. Hearing them, made me smile. A great way to begin the day…a little presence to remind me of nature in my ‘Hood. Have a wonderful weekend.
What a lovely walk along the creek!
Yay for the rain!
Ooh Wilson you are looking too cute. 🙂
Awww about your new great grandbaby! 🥰 So precious! I hope all has gone well with her arrival into this BIG world! 🩷
Thank you. Baby boy Kai (Hawaiian for ocean) arrived after an emergency c-section when his heart rate dropped dangerously. They decided best to be safe so they moved with hast. No known reason for the heart rate drop and he’s doing fine now. Mom, Dad and the little prince are resting in recovery. I’ll go back to see them tomorrow.
Glad you enjoyed the walk along the creek. We were very excited for the rain. Everything looks so much better after the rain and the high country received a bunch of snow. Everyone was very excited with this moisture.
Enjoy a wonderful weekend!
Congratulations 🎊! Love his name! So thankful all is well! Scary!! I understand. That is exactly what happened with my firstborn. Had an emergency C-section, too. Never knew the reason either for her heart rate dropping.
Wow on the snow already in the high country. Not ready for that here yet! Let me enjoy Fall! 😄
Thanks. Same to you and Wilson!
It’s my Dad’s 87th birthday tomorrow, so we will be celebrating 🍾 🥳😊
Sending many happy returns to your dad.
Thank you! 💛💛
Beautiful photos. And cute video of you. XO
Thanks. He’s a funny boy. Glad you enjoyed the photos. Have a lovely weekend.
Last things first because . . . . another grandbaby!!! Great to hear mama, what a way to get the holiday season off and running.
As for that coyote, you’re right, it is a beauty. These creatures are so magnificent to see up close like that. It saddens me so, to know the struggles they go through.
I don’t blame Wilson for wanting to stay in bed. When it’s nice and toasty inside, sleep is the thing. No doubt about it, the boy knows of what he is speaking. Or in this case, he knows of what he is sleeping.
The rain is a great bit of news too. We get so much here, but you guys really are up against it most of the time so it’s nice to hear you were given some serious rain.
Have a great weekend peeps
Thanks, Marc. Just got home from the hospital. We have a beautiful baby though it was a bit touch and go early in the labor and they decided to do an emergency c-section. All seems to be well now and Mom, Dad and baby seem to be resting comfortably. Still can’t wrap my head around the fact that this little prince is a great grand baby. How the heck did I get this old?
I love getting to see these beautiful creatures. This guy was a handsome fella. I wish him a long healthy life.
Once we got going, Wilson was very excited about his morning walk. Enjoy a great weekend.
P. S. How ‘bout those Brewers? Still can’t believe they swept the Dodgers.
Congratulations! A baby boy, that’s great news to start the day. And don’t focus on the number, I sure don’t. I can’t. Ain’t gonna help me none anyways.
Me too. They deserve so much more than they’ve been handed. I know the poor creatures in this area just get used to a retrofitted habitat and then the bulldozers come in and force them out once again. And they call it progress.
I wish you the same.
PS- I’m so impressed with the Brewers. I told a friend of mine who is also a Yankees fan. Imagine if we HAD made it to the World Series. We would have been swept by the Brewers! LOL. They are a baseball team worth rooting for. I am kinda hoping Cleveland makes it out of the AL.
Thanks you. You’re right about worrying about the number. It beatys the alternative, right?
We’re all beyond pleased about the new prince’s arrival. And while he arrived via c-section, he’s beautiful and I couldn’t be happier for the family.
I’m thrilled for the Brewers. It’s a joy to see a fresh batch of teams play in the series. And if it’s the Guardians, what a fun series that could be.
So nice running into that coyote. I have yet to see one in the wild. I see them on my security camera but not face to face. Poison ivy is very pretty. I’m with you in giving it wide berth. Wishing you and Wilson a lovely weekend. Your pumpkin watercolor is spectacular.
I always feel so blessed whenever I see one. They’re very elusive.
Have a great weekend, John!
Such beautiful fall colors!
Aww thank you. They are a bit muted this year no doubt attributable to our summer from Hell. We’ll take it though and hope the El Niño effect stays with us through winter. Have a splendid weekend.
what a wonderful time to be born!! Good wishes to all of you!
Thank you, Martha. We are so thrilled to be able to welcome this little tyke. Am headed down to the hospital shortly to welcome him in person. Have a fantastic weekend.
I hope your new grandson arrives safely and healthy! Congrats in advance!
Fall is for sure, here too. And the colors on my way back from Ontario were spectacular in some areas. Too bad I wasn’t able to take pictures as I was driving…and no other peep or pup to use the camera, LOL!
Poison Ivy?? Yikes! I never want to encounter that stuff again…it landed me in the ER a couple years ago.
Glad you had some good rainfall. It is drizzly and 50F here right now, we may get down to 31F here tonight,. Brrr! That should make the fall paintbrushes get to doing their work!
Thank you. He made his appearance via emergency c-section about 4 hours ago. He was kinda big so I’m guessing that’s why they went that route. Am on my way to the hospital now. Mom and Dad are resting in recovery but everyone is doing well.
Yeah, I don’t think of poison ivy showing up here but we are close to the foothills so I guess that makes sense. We’ll be giving it a wide berth, that’s for sure. That moisture was so appreciated. It’s a gloriously clear blue sky day today, about 51F. A perfect autumn day! Have a great weekend.
Hooray on the new grandson! Congrats!!
Thank you. We’re very excited about him. He scared us earlier but seems fine now.
We see fox and coyotes on our early walks now and then. Mom always thinks the coyotes are loose dogs but the she realizes they are not dogs. Fox like to follow us from a distance. It’s amazing they are all still around as the area is totally built up as a residential area but they somehow live here too. Sounds like an exciting weekend for you with a great grand baby on the way, and the second one! No babies in our family except Henry the puppy.
Seeing these critters in an urban environment makes me think nature adapts. This area used to have lots of little farms but is very dense now with houses. I’m happy to co-exist with them.
Baby arrived a few hours ago, am headed down to the hospital to see him. We’re all giddy with excitement. Have a wonderful autumnal weekend. We’re enjoying a clear blue sky and mild temps now.
Very good manners, Wilson, such patience! 👍🏼
Hope all goes smoothly with the birth, very exciting! 👏🏼
He has to wait until I give him the proceed command. Until then he wags his tail and moans. Once I give him the “ok” commend, he digs in with such enthusiastic gusto. It’s so hilarious. Have a great weekend.
P.S. The new baby boy made his appearance shortly after 9:00 AM via emergency c-section. I’m headed to the hospital now to get all the details but everyone is doing fine.
Congrats! 🥳 😍
Many thanks!
Wow! Wilson ~ you are a cutie and such beautiful nature photos and a new grand baby coming ~ so exciting ~ Hugs ^_^
Thanks. Yes, we’ll all very excited about the new prince’s arrival. Have a wonderful autumnal weekend
Great fall colors!
Many thanks, Lisa. The colors are somewhat limited around here-only a few yellow spots, most are still green or brown so that poison ivy really screamed at me. Have a lovely weekend.
An excellent report on suburban wildlife spotting! I think this is prime coyote spotting season. Our local neighborhood apps are daily full of ‘yote reports and cautionary advice because those rascals are showing up in people’s backyards (“bring your furball inside!!!). Then the inevitable and interminable debate of “they were here first” vs “we need to protect our land.” The Mauzer does not care. Her backyard is secure unless Wiley and Friends obtain Acme brand pole vaulting equipment. First snow, you say? Oh how I wish I could make a quick run to the San Juans! Have a good weekend.
Thanks, Tom. I think the San Juans are being dumped on, big time. Close to 9 inches on Red Mountain Pass near Purgatory. Good for them!
Small dog owners have every right to be concerned, Wilson takes these sightings in stride and has assured me he can take ’em. Have a great weekend.
And congratulations on the new family arrival! Wonderful!
That was a sweet video Wilson! Hey, keep far away from the coyotes!
Thanks, Terry. Glad you enjoyed his video. He outweighs those coyote pups by a good 40 pounds so we’re not overly concerned. I just love seeing them in their habitat. Have a great weekend.
I can see why you love Wilson. More videos, please.
Aww, thanks, Jacqui. He’s so funny as he waits for the release command. I wish I knew how to compress the size of those videos-they’re ginormous! Enjoy a wonderful weekend.
Take a peak at the freebie app called HandBrake. Easy to use and compress without uploading large files up to the internet.
Hmmm, thanks for the recommendation, I’ll check it out!
we cross all fingers for the little one what will enter our crazy world soon… hugs and welcome…
Many thanks. Everyone in the family is very excited to welcome this little man. Have a fantastic weekend!
I hope all goes well with the birth of the new grandbaby. Holding good thoughts here.
Many thanks. My poor granddaughter has been miserable for a good month. I know she’s happy the day is here where she can bring the little kicker into the world. Have a lovely weekend.
Wilson, Mum, thank you for the tour and pictures. Mom here said that here it is so warm that the leaves have hardly budged or changed color. But Mom always goes out once that has started and takes new pictures as well. I like to see any wildlife, and seeing them healthy means a lot.
Thank you! We typically have brilliantly gold leaves (aspens or cottonwoods) but they’re much paler this year. Many have gone straight from green to brown. When I noticed that spot of orange, I was over the moon, until I looked closer and thought…huh…that looks like poison ivy! Awk.
Often coyotes have mangey looking coats so to see that guy with a soft looking one made me feel very good. With all the rabbits in the area, I think/hope they’ve been eating well. Have a wonderful weekend!
A new person joining the tribe! Wonderful! The coyote does look healthy. I like to see that.
I know! So exciting. Five living generations-we are feeling so blessed.
I always love seeing nice healthy fur on the wildlife. It was a tough summer and they’ll need a good start to get through the winter. Have a terrific weekend, Kate.
Good morning to you!
You might want to move that decimal point in Celsius… coz 37F is definitely NOT 22.2 – which would be a perfect 72F 😉
What a wonderful capture! He is a cutie. And I hear you on the colours. Very little red again, this year but the oranges are bright.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Oops, hate it when I write a typo like that. Thanks for the heads up-it’s been corrected! Have a marvelous weekend.
Mee-yow Wilson yore video iss so cute!! So you DID eat yore Brekkie rite?? I due that two. Purrtend not innterested an then NOM it guud! Gotta keep our Meowy’ss on their toess! THE Autumm colorss are so lovelee this yeer! You’ss furinallee gotted RAIN! HURRAH!!!!! Wee have had steady rain sine 8 Pee Em last evenin. Wee need it (not as much as youss’…) It’ss so gloomy out. That’ss THE diffycult part…..
Wee are apposta have Sun tomorrow; pawss crossed! Have a lovelee Furiday there!
~~~head rubsss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{{huggiess}}} Bellasita Mum
In the nearly 4 years Wilson has been with me, there has never been a time he wasn’t ready to dig in. I make him wait to reinforce self control. Once he starts, he wolfs it down like he hadn’t eaten in a month. Silly boy. Wishing you a sunny weekend to enjoy.
Mew mew mew Most Poochiess seem to eat like they nevurr easted fore a month!! Poochiess are so funny Miss Monika!!! Wee catss liek to saunter over to THE food an think about it, mew mew mew….