When we came home last week there was a smell, not strong, of something in the side shed that was inviting scavengers: crows, skunks, whatever could get into that space, to have at it. I did not go looking to see what it was. Within a day or two it was gone.

I’ll never know for sure–but it was along the path the male cottontail took to come into our yard, and he has not been seen since the day we left. Just the female, with her distinctive lighter curves over her haunches contrasting with her darker fur.

Her belly is noticeably smaller now, and yeah, it’s been about a month since they declared which of them was which.

For the first time, there was no sign of her today either. Yeah I know rabbits are terrible for one’s garden, but I was really enjoying watching them as they kept our weeds at bay, their ears twitching from time to time, their watching me when I open the door, waiting a moment to see if (insert teen whine) Aw, Mom, do I *have* to hop away? I was just getting to the dessert part of this leaf! Okay, FINE. (Slaps back feet against the ground. Goes to their room under the bush.)

While below we have the rare Dog-Faced Spring Titmouse.

Meaning, a paper lunchbag’s worth of my friend Kathy’s dog’s fur was put out there for the birds before we left and nearly all of it is gone now.

I can’t wait to see the fledglings. I am slightly less enthusiastic about a yardful of baby bunnies. But we’ll see.