So I'm looking around my image files for other backyard sightings. We all have these little bastards. They were in one of the boat storage bays. It was very hot that summer.
And some have deer. We had a pair born inside fenced property and were raised inside for several months. Think this was dad.
And Hope & Love. Had to give them names.
In the Fall beginning in late August, we have the big Ruby throated migration to Mexico. We have been one of their stopping points since moving here in 1999.
I'm starting to move a bit out of my backyard now but still in the neighbor hood. One of our astronomy clubs runs an observatory at Brazos Bend State Park. The park is full of alligators so when we leave the observatory at all hours of the night we have to be watchful. The path to the parking lot crosses a swamp and meanders through the woods. It is not unusual to have a resting gator, day or night, laying across the path. Many years ago we were taking a visitor/speaker from Hawaii down to the park to show him the facility. We also took him to see Hildegarde, our 14' Momma and her babies. He got a bit close and she hissed at him in a way that is a big time warning. She disappeared after tropical storm Allison in 2001.
Moving farther away from our backyard, Joy's Mom lived in Navarre, Florida and was told not to keep feeding the bears. She never paid attention to the game wardens. She sighted them often, yes even cubs, in her backyard. She snapped this portrait while the big boy was in the act!