No remorse, maybe even hard of hearing, this big cow was right next to my window this morning after having torn down the bird feeder, munching on . . . what, sunflower seeds?

That's what was in the bird feeder, and it's for little birds. Not Blue Stellar Jays, not big bad black birds or crows or other wildlife bullies.

I banged on the window. That usually startles them.
But it had no effect. I raised the window. That got the beast's attention, but not enough to make it go away. It sauntered. slowly.

Over to the other side, where I caught it checking out the hummingbird feeder, now long empty of sugar water.

I went out to confront the cow and it just looked at me, like uh . . . wazzup?

Yesterday I met a woman on the bus who bow hunts.
I invited her over to my house because she hadn't had a harvest yet.

She declined the offer out of sympathy to neighbors, as in people and other living creatures.

The empty bird feeder reminded me however that it's December, the month when birders tabulate bird species in their neighborhoods. This happens all over America and Canada and has been going on since 1900.

The Evergreen Naturalists Audubon Society will be out and about Dec. 17 for the annual Christmas Bird count, so if you see people with binoculars roaming around, you'll know they are counting birds.

For more information on this endeavor you can visit their Web site at
www.dipper.org

To check out the Colorado Audubon happening, go to
www.auduboncolorado.org

An email from my neighbor Monica Kerr contained this bit of wildlife interest:

All - We had a Mtn Lion in our GARAGE last night! With our Dog! Guess it
wasn't hungry, thank heavens. We think it was looking for garbage or dog
food. Please be careful with your pets and children!
If you see it, pls call the DOW Rep. Ti Petersburg at 303-679-6184.
Stay safe! Monica

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