Later that same evening, one of the notorious foxes that live in the Cedar Key residential district started across the side yard. We've seen him do it before from afar, but now we were seated maybe six, maybe seven, yards from his path. He stopped, started again, hesitated and retreated the way he came. He just didn't want to chance passing two of us so close.
A neighbor has been having trouble with rodents. It is that time of year when it cools off at night and warm buildings are more pleasant to rodents than the outside. About dark a few days back, again from the back steps, I followed the rodents on their route up a palm tree, across the neighbor's roof and into an air vent. Now they know how to fight the rodents at least for the time being.
We've recently noticed a late afternoon visitor on his almost daily search for lizards or whatever. He lands silently and stalks up to our porch. Even though we don't feed him, this common egret comes right up seeking a handout. Sorry, bub, not from here. After a bit, he wanders off and we lose track of him.
Out back perched in Ms. Oder's huge ancient pecan tree about dark we've seen two mature ospreys. Lately they have been circling with branches in their beaks making that harsh raspy call, reaching always for that next higher note, yet never quite getting there, building a nest close by. We haven't yet spotted the nest. Those nests are huge and can weigh hundreds of pounds. I fear for Ms. Oder's pecan. It has been hit by lightning twice in the past many months and now few leaves grow on the upper branches.
I've spotted an owl that noiselessly flies southeast to northwest out over Goose Cove soon after dark nearly every day, it's white underbelly and wings clearly visible against the deep blue sky. I wonder what tales he has? I wonder where he spends his days? We sometimes hear a pair of barred owls in the early mornings. Maybe he's one of them.
Late one afternoon from the porch, I heard a commotion above an upright that supports the tin roof. I couldn't spot a thing. Then he flew out from under with that chatter we all know. He was a redbellied woodpecker. We have a pair that work the trees in the yard almost daily. They are often called "ladder back" woodpeckers for the white and black bars across their backs all the way down from the red patch on the head to the tip of the tail.
Being a mere sixty-five yards or so, give or take, from the high water mark off Goose Cove yet part way up an incline, we coexist in a neighborhood uncommonly rich with wild life. And taking advantage of the shorter daylight hours, we have really enjoyed that richness from the back steps. Stop by one evening and join us. Better yet, just spend some time outside in your own neighborhood and share with us what you notice the next time you see us out there looking for Trouble in Cedar Key.
Origianlly published 2000 November 13
