IPFW is no friend of wildlife... unless you're a muskrat...

We took advantage of the last day I won't be working OT for a while the sunny day to take a walk.

Tons of cardinals out and about, and robins, and the occasional squirrel.  And a shadow that made me wonder what was running across the grass- until a brain cell sprouted and I looked up.

Maybe if he woulda let out a screech...

As for any bigger wildlife, no chance.  IPFW has torn out more of the brush along the woods that gave them places to hide.  Their idea of "forest management" is to make the woods an open, sterile place fit for nothing but being overrun by squirrels and geese... like, say, Shoaff Park.  Of course, the park is smart enough to leave up enough plant life (as well as not removing natural wetlands for vital soccer fields) that they don't end up with the bunches of low spots on their way to becoming muddy, smelly ponding spots like what IPFW is creating.  And smelly, muddy ponding spots aren't real good for seeing deer.  They are perfect, however, for...

'Skrats!!!!!


This guy was munching about in the pond near the bridge into the Plex.  When he saw me, he went under and disappeared...

Until he popped up here, about six feet away, peeking to see if I was still around.

We did run into some ducks, a welcome change from all the damn geese playing "Occupy Hefner Soccer Fields".

Hey, Chris, what kind of geese do you have?

Ubiquitous.