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LIFE IN THE WOODS
by Betsy Seeton --Summer of 2009- 2012
by Betsy Seeton
I guess you could say Chippy is a family name. My brother and I had a pet chipmunk named Chippy when we were growing up in the 1960's. We found him in an old tin can and rescued him; he was barely breathing. I would never cage one of these animals again. At the time, I was about 9 years old and became very attached to him after he recovered. In hindsight, I should've released him back into the woods. That's where he belonged. The pictures here show a new Chippy - happily living in the wild -- among a lot of other wild critters living nearby. It's a great privilege interacting with them.
 2010 Jasper and Bear series - by Betsy Seeton - click to enter my art gallery |
 Stop and see Chippy In New York! by Betsy Seeton |
All images are for sale as greeting cards, postcards, or framed prints.
Albert and Alberta made it to Nat Geo!
2011
2011
 FIRST DANDELION by Betsy Seeton  June 2011 |
 June 2011 |
THE FOLLOWING TURNED INTO A BLOG WITHOUT STARTING OUT TO BE ONE...
My 'driveway' summer 2009
It's July 4, 2009
Each summer, I live in a remote area in the mountains where the elevation is 10,000 feet. The roads aren't paved and the closest commercial enterprise - a small cafe - is three miles away while the nearest grocery store is an hour's drive. Undeveloped Forest Service land surrounds my property on three sides and an undeveloped privately owned piece of land borders me on the east. There's not a neighbor in sight. In the winter, roads aren't plowed and the average amount of snow on the ground is easily four to six feet with temps dipping to 30 and 40 below zero for long periods of time. It's a tough environment, but equally beautiful and serene. It's quiet in a way that takes you back in time.
Each summer, I live in a remote area in the mountains where the elevation is 10,000 feet. The roads aren't paved and the closest commercial enterprise - a small cafe - is three miles away while the nearest grocery store is an hour's drive. Undeveloped Forest Service land surrounds my property on three sides and an undeveloped privately owned piece of land borders me on the east. There's not a neighbor in sight. In the winter, roads aren't plowed and the average amount of snow on the ground is easily four to six feet with temps dipping to 30 and 40 below zero for long periods of time. It's a tough environment, but equally beautiful and serene. It's quiet in a way that takes you back in time.
This is a mixture of writings and pics from 2009 to 2011.
Click here to read July 4, 2010 with my granddaughter.
Click here to read July 4, 2010 with my granddaughter.
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July 5th, 2009-
I've become part of the eco system around me with the animals and birds that live here year round. Pictured here are some baby golden mantel ground squirrels -- they're the ones without stripes running up their head. Chippy is their mom. This is my 4th summer with her. You might notice a small 'chip' out of her left ear that she got a couple of years ago from a scuffle defending her territory. She also has half a tail from that little rumble. Chippy comes to her name and lets me pet her while I feed her nuts. She climbs all over me with ease.I first met Chippy's babies yesterday and I was able to pet them and feed them within minutes of approaching them. I've never experienced that with a wild baby animal! I don't know if Chippy has communicated with them and given me the thumbs up or what! I gave one baby a dandelion and played a gentle game of tug of war like you would with a puppy.
I've become part of the eco system around me with the animals and birds that live here year round. Pictured here are some baby golden mantel ground squirrels -- they're the ones without stripes running up their head. Chippy is their mom. This is my 4th summer with her. You might notice a small 'chip' out of her left ear that she got a couple of years ago from a scuffle defending her territory. She also has half a tail from that little rumble. Chippy comes to her name and lets me pet her while I feed her nuts. She climbs all over me with ease.I first met Chippy's babies yesterday and I was able to pet them and feed them within minutes of approaching them. I've never experienced that with a wild baby animal! I don't know if Chippy has communicated with them and given me the thumbs up or what! I gave one baby a dandelion and played a gentle game of tug of war like you would with a puppy.
July 4, 2010 - My granddaughter took this of me. Chippy made it through the winter to summer #5!
by Betsy Seeton
Chipmunks have stripes all the way up their face to their little pointed noses, unlike the ground squirrels. They also feed from my hand and come when I call and are very gentle. They allow me to pet them without coaxing them with food. There are three of them and this is my first summer where they've come to me so freely. They are such gentle, sweet creatures. They'll climb all over me waiting for a nut. I've taught one to come to my second story window in the evenings. They stay up later than the ground squirrels and the rise earlier in the morning. They can climb right up the side of the cabin like they have a little bit of magic. One of the baby ground squirrels tried (unsuccessfully) to emulate the way they climb. It was comical!
The baby ground squirrels are about the size of a chipmunk right now. When full grown they'll be twice their size. Also pictured above are a few shots of Punky, Chippy's year-old daughter. A couple of photos show Chippy and Punky together. Punky gave birth recently, but I haven't seen her babies yet. Both she and Chippy appear to still be nursing.
The changes in the babies in just one day are remarkable. They are exploring everything and trying to figure out what's edible. They chew on anything they come into contact with from bark, rocks, sticks, dirt, to left over stuff in the outdoor fire pit, which they are playing in like children in a sandbox. I gave one baby a pecan and another one a peanut for their first time. Yesterday they weren't interested in the nuts at all.
The baby ground squirrels are about the size of a chipmunk right now. When full grown they'll be twice their size. Also pictured above are a few shots of Punky, Chippy's year-old daughter. A couple of photos show Chippy and Punky together. Punky gave birth recently, but I haven't seen her babies yet. Both she and Chippy appear to still be nursing.
The changes in the babies in just one day are remarkable. They are exploring everything and trying to figure out what's edible. They chew on anything they come into contact with from bark, rocks, sticks, dirt, to left over stuff in the outdoor fire pit, which they are playing in like children in a sandbox. I gave one baby a pecan and another one a peanut for their first time. Yesterday they weren't interested in the nuts at all.
by B.Seeton - Chipmunks July 2010 - Sold as a postcard, greeting card, and/or framed print
Jul 10, 2010 - by Betsy Seeton
Rachel resting on me
I LOVE the quiet and the slower pace I take with life here in the mountains. There is no cell service. No texting. No having the TV on in the background. No traffic sounds. It is also my temporary salvation away from all things crazy and unjust. I often listen to the natural world: the stream flowing, the trees creaking, all kinds of birds whistling, the wind blowing and take notice of the insect world (did you know there are an estimated 10 quintillion insects?) and how all life around me from the plants, animals, insects, and birds is interwoven and connected with one another.
 Amazing feeling to interact with a wild bird
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 Mutual love and trust! |
Jay-Jay
There are half a dozen gray jays I feed by hand year after year. I know them by name. Rachel is fearless. She will land on me sometimes just to land. She'll stay longer in my hand when coming for bread. Swooper comes in and grabs the bread without stopping and half the time will drop it because she's going too fast. Scaredy Cat won't come to me but wants so badly to overcome his fear. Zoro has the same fear but is more vocal.
I have one Stellar Jay that occasionally comes knocking at my windows with her beak. She'll knock at all the windows looking for me until I come out and throw her some food. There are two porcupines nearby. One is huge and loves the willows on the edge of my road. The smaller one actually walked toward me the other day. I have deer stroll into the yard and when I take walks I sometimes see elk nearby. There are also a couple of moose but I seldom see them. I have one coyote in the area and sometimes hear a group of them howling at night.
I have one Stellar Jay that occasionally comes knocking at my windows with her beak. She'll knock at all the windows looking for me until I come out and throw her some food. There are two porcupines nearby. One is huge and loves the willows on the edge of my road. The smaller one actually walked toward me the other day. I have deer stroll into the yard and when I take walks I sometimes see elk nearby. There are also a couple of moose but I seldom see them. I have one coyote in the area and sometimes hear a group of them howling at night.
 JUST HANGING OUT - by B.Seeton |
 My 4-yr old granddaughter took this of me with Rachel |
This porcupine has been around for several summers. Taken in my yard.
From my window
Punky
Punky is a regular around here now and so is Chippy's mate - the most rust colored one. All of them feed from my hand and have distinct personalities. The male (I just call him Boy Chip) is oddly aggressive and has a mischievous, quirky and almost unlikable demeanor. If he were a person he'd be a thug and possibly in a gang. Even the way he walks is more of a skulk (is that a word?) than a cute scamper. He often has a nervous leer like he just knocked over a bank or something. He's never satisfied with the nuts I give him. Chippy on the other hand is quite adorable. She's queen of the territory and will run off the others if she feels her nut supply is being threatened. She's much more tolerant of Punky than Boy Chip. (Part of that is about protecting her babies.) She's very comfortable being petted and stroked while sitting in my lap. She often comes to the kitchen window looking for me and stands on her hind legs with her little front paws crossed.
July 9, 2009 -
The babies are learning to play. They look like a litter of puppies chewing at each other, jumping on top on one another and rolling around in the dirt. This is where their personalities begin to emerge. There's always one more timid than the rest and one more rambunctious and ever ready to tease and tumble.
July 12, 2009 -
All the babies came to me today looking for a nut. Sometimes they run and hide, but today they were all comfortable coming right up to me. They're still playful. One was trying to climb a tree. They get along well with each other and with the chipmunks. The harmony is comforting in a world so torn apart by differences. Every once in a great while a dispute over food breaks out, but all in all, it's mostly peaceful.
July 9, 2009 -
The babies are learning to play. They look like a litter of puppies chewing at each other, jumping on top on one another and rolling around in the dirt. This is where their personalities begin to emerge. There's always one more timid than the rest and one more rambunctious and ever ready to tease and tumble.
July 12, 2009 -
All the babies came to me today looking for a nut. Sometimes they run and hide, but today they were all comfortable coming right up to me. They're still playful. One was trying to climb a tree. They get along well with each other and with the chipmunks. The harmony is comforting in a world so torn apart by differences. Every once in a great while a dispute over food breaks out, but all in all, it's mostly peaceful.
 Summer 2008 |
 August 2009 |
Scaredy Cat
August 4, 2009
It's exactly one month since I started this page and first met Chippy's babies. Of the four babies, only Jacob remains close by. He was the most gentle and fearless of his siblings. The first word that comes to mind is sweet. He was on a log yesterday and he let me stroke his back without moving or looking for a nut.
And I have a fun update about Scaredy Cat. A friend stopped by a couple of days ago with her young daughter, Erin, and her daugter's friend. Her daughter got Scaredy Cat to feed from her hand, which was a first! We noticed that Scaredy Cat was being picked on by the other gray jays. Yesterday I began working with Scaredy Cat and giving her special attention. I wouldn't let the other birds have any food before she did. She began trusting me more and more and I guess her confidence got a needed boost because now comes to me often and has trust in her eyes. Today she landed on me twice when I didn't even have any food! She has the lightest touch. It's a special feeling to witness an animal overcoming fear. She's a year round bird up here so she won't be in danger from other humans like she might if she migrated to where someone else might not be so friendly. She's in safe hands up here!
One more note. Boy Chip has increasingly become obnoxious. He leaps for food and tries for my fingers. He's a real trouble maker. I'm trying to be patient and trying to teach him, but he's a real bully and I instinctly yell at him when he chases the other ones. He seems to especially try to take on Jacob who so far has held his ground. Jacob knows I will defend him and he seems quite intent on staking his territory with me. How interesting and crazy are all the different personalities of animals and birds. We often take it for granted that they are just pretty much all alike without personality and individuality. It's our loss to be so myopic. So much goes on that we seldom take time to notice.
It's exactly one month since I started this page and first met Chippy's babies. Of the four babies, only Jacob remains close by. He was the most gentle and fearless of his siblings. The first word that comes to mind is sweet. He was on a log yesterday and he let me stroke his back without moving or looking for a nut.
And I have a fun update about Scaredy Cat. A friend stopped by a couple of days ago with her young daughter, Erin, and her daugter's friend. Her daughter got Scaredy Cat to feed from her hand, which was a first! We noticed that Scaredy Cat was being picked on by the other gray jays. Yesterday I began working with Scaredy Cat and giving her special attention. I wouldn't let the other birds have any food before she did. She began trusting me more and more and I guess her confidence got a needed boost because now comes to me often and has trust in her eyes. Today she landed on me twice when I didn't even have any food! She has the lightest touch. It's a special feeling to witness an animal overcoming fear. She's a year round bird up here so she won't be in danger from other humans like she might if she migrated to where someone else might not be so friendly. She's in safe hands up here!
One more note. Boy Chip has increasingly become obnoxious. He leaps for food and tries for my fingers. He's a real trouble maker. I'm trying to be patient and trying to teach him, but he's a real bully and I instinctly yell at him when he chases the other ones. He seems to especially try to take on Jacob who so far has held his ground. Jacob knows I will defend him and he seems quite intent on staking his territory with me. How interesting and crazy are all the different personalities of animals and birds. We often take it for granted that they are just pretty much all alike without personality and individuality. It's our loss to be so myopic. So much goes on that we seldom take time to notice.
So inquisitive...
The name 'Clark's Nutcracker' came from Lewis & Clark's Expedition
August 14, 2009 -Two Clark's Nutcrackers make their home in the nearby forest. (Thanks Jack and Meg for helping me identify this breed.) They're often observing the gray jays feeding from my hand. They've almost landed on me several times, but haven't quite conquered their fear. Their wings beat with a much louder sound than the gray jays.
Fall is definitely in the air. It's much too early to be feeling this way! The wind sounds wistful, if that's even possible, swirling through the thick forest as if to pass along the message about summer's impending departure. There's a smell of earthy freshness and crispness that only comes when summer rolls out and fall blows in. The other tell tale sign is in that certain chill in the air that only comes when fall is just around the corner. Even the leaves are beginning to change color. It's way too soon! How I wish summer could last much longer. In case I haven't mentioned it elsewhere on my website, I will be wintering in at my cabin instead of going back to the city. I've wintered in once before and I can tell you it's one, hellishly long season.
Fall is definitely in the air. It's much too early to be feeling this way! The wind sounds wistful, if that's even possible, swirling through the thick forest as if to pass along the message about summer's impending departure. There's a smell of earthy freshness and crispness that only comes when summer rolls out and fall blows in. The other tell tale sign is in that certain chill in the air that only comes when fall is just around the corner. Even the leaves are beginning to change color. It's way too soon! How I wish summer could last much longer. In case I haven't mentioned it elsewhere on my website, I will be wintering in at my cabin instead of going back to the city. I've wintered in once before and I can tell you it's one, hellishly long season.
There's so much to get done to preprare for the six month winter that lies ahead. That's challenging for me because I'm not much of a "planner" or shopper. I'm good at research, but it's time consuming. I'm trying to decide between supplemental propane heat or electric. Which brand? Which company? Whom to trust? Which is the best investment? What's the "greenest" choice given money limitations? So many questions and the heating question is just one of many I have to figure out. I've said before that the roads are closed by snow beginning in the fall (could be October or into December - just depends on the year) and don't reopen until the end of April or sometime in May when the temperature rises enough to naturally melt the snow. I have to figure out what snowmobile to buy that fits a small budget. I sold mine back in the mid 1990's.
I have cords of wood to cut, chop and stack. (1 cord of wood equals: 4' x 4' x 8') I probably need close to 10 cords, but will be lucky to get 6. And supplies. So much to plan for. Think of the household supplies you use in a month. I need that times 6.
I eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies but need to adapt to canned (ugh) and frozen foods and figure out how much to buy in advance. Yuk! This is not something I look forward to. My cabin is at 10,000 feet, so six feet of snow on the ground is easily average; much more in actual snowfall. The temps drop to 30 and 40 below. (I've said that before, haven't I?) Anyway, as you can well imagine, my to-do list is pages long.
I have cords of wood to cut, chop and stack. (1 cord of wood equals: 4' x 4' x 8') I probably need close to 10 cords, but will be lucky to get 6. And supplies. So much to plan for. Think of the household supplies you use in a month. I need that times 6.
I eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies but need to adapt to canned (ugh) and frozen foods and figure out how much to buy in advance. Yuk! This is not something I look forward to. My cabin is at 10,000 feet, so six feet of snow on the ground is easily average; much more in actual snowfall. The temps drop to 30 and 40 below. (I've said that before, haven't I?) Anyway, as you can well imagine, my to-do list is pages long.
Click image for cool facts
August 15, 2009 --
Here's my porcupine again! This is her fourth visit. I took this photo about ten minutes ago. I'm able to walk up to her within a couple of feet before she becomes alarmed. I get to watch her a lot before she takes off. After she gets startled or senses danger, her quills rise first like a giant fan spreading out and then she'll calmly look at me before slowly meandering off to finish her evening meal of leaves and willows. A porcupine can have as many as 30,000 quills! I was surprised to learn they don't hibernate, so I might get to see her this winter waddling around, though it's hard to imagine porcupines being able to do much in 6 feet of snow...
Aug 16 - Swooper
I recently walked behind my cabin deep into the forest and then whistled for my birds. They found me and walked with me as I fed them. Scaredy Cat, who I renamed Gentle One (above), lands with the lightest touch and has learned to knock on my windows to get my attention.
Scaredy Cat aka Gentle One
Gray Jays have a special, sticky saliva that functions like adhesive which "glues" their food to trees in various hiding spots throughout the forest. They access their hidden stash during the long winter when seeds and other food run scarce. I've seen them hide the scraps I give them in a different tree each time. I don't know how they recall all their hiding spots. Hmm...I wonder if they steal from each other if they see where a buddy's hiding spot is?
August 17, 2009 - I bought a 7 ton wood splitter today for $300. (I'm really not sure what that means other than the power it has to split logs.) I saw one in action the other day. It was a commercial grade, but I'm hopeful this will work for my purposes. Price includes shipping. I should have it by the end of the week. Sure hope it works well and easy. I'll keep you posted. I found unsplit cords that will be delivered for $100, which is a savings of $75- $85 per cord. Between getting my own wood, buying some and using the splitter maybe I can get 10 cords before the snow flies! I'm still trying to figure out a supplemental heat source. I priced some propane units today... they're just not in my price range.
 The latest thing...
August 17, 2009 - I was taking pictures of the birds yesterday and this little guy crawled into my pocket where I keep pecans and almonds! I was preoccupied feeding the birds and photographing them. I'm used to the critters crawling on me, but this was funny. Another time yesterday, I was photographing Jacob and he jumped on my head!
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Here's another picture my 4-year old granddaughter took of me. It's fun teaching her photography. She loves snapping pictures. I need to get one of her with my big, heavy Sony SLR. It's no pocket size camera. I always make sure she wears the camera strap around her neck. The camera hangs to her knees!
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My granddaughter also took this picture when we went fly fishing...
She has a steady hand for her age. My camera is extra touchy about movement and blurs easily. She's also learning to cast a fly rod (two handed) and doing a nice job. Guess it's obvious I'm the proud grandma!
She's the light of my life.... I love introducing her to all that comes with mountain life. She's loving it too.
She has a steady hand for her age. My camera is extra touchy about movement and blurs easily. She's also learning to cast a fly rod (two handed) and doing a nice job. Guess it's obvious I'm the proud grandma!
She's the light of my life.... I love introducing her to all that comes with mountain life. She's loving it too.
...just taking in the scenery on our fishing trip... |
Here's one happy kid! We caught five the day before and this one in the morning before she had to leave. All brookies. |
August 18, 2009 - I dropped crumbled pecans on the ground and stayed close by. Clark flew to within inches of me to get the nuts. That's the closet yet! Small joys...
OMG! About a half hour later Clark came knocking at my window! He has a hard knock with that strong beak. I went outside to feed him but the other birds beat him to the nuts. Then he came knocking again! This time I shooed the other birds away and crumbled nuts for him. He was able to get them. He's not the least bit aggressive. He is very cautious even around the chipmunks and ground squirrels. It's so interesting (and entertaining) to be a part of the interaction with all the beautiful creatures that live here.
Chippy made an appearance today. She's so fat she couldn't jump up onto my lap the way she usually does. I picked her up, which she grumbled about, but then was quickly distracted by a pecan and sat on my leg munching away. You can see by the close up below that she's been digging in the dirt!
OMG! About a half hour later Clark came knocking at my window! He has a hard knock with that strong beak. I went outside to feed him but the other birds beat him to the nuts. Then he came knocking again! This time I shooed the other birds away and crumbled nuts for him. He was able to get them. He's not the least bit aggressive. He is very cautious even around the chipmunks and ground squirrels. It's so interesting (and entertaining) to be a part of the interaction with all the beautiful creatures that live here.
Chippy made an appearance today. She's so fat she couldn't jump up onto my lap the way she usually does. I picked her up, which she grumbled about, but then was quickly distracted by a pecan and sat on my leg munching away. You can see by the close up below that she's been digging in the dirt!
August 18th evening
This is what I often see from my kitchen window these days. In the mornings the birds watch for me and as soon as they see me turning on the coffee pot (well they don't get that but they see me moving around) they fly to the window and sit on the wood waiting for me to come out with some snacks. Often on the window sill will be Punky or Little One (one of the chipmunks) also waiting patiently for a nut. In July it was always Chippy waiting for me.. but she's busy this time of year.
August 19, 2009 - Mark your calendars! (As if anyone really reads this...or cares.. :) Clark fed from my hand today! That's my first bird other than the gray jays to ever come to me. Feels special to build that kind of trust. |
After Clark ate from my hand I put some nuts on the windowsill for him, but Jacob beat him to them. Clark wasn't going to just stand by though. He actually went over to Jacob and tried to push him out of the way with his beak. Jacob wasn't fazed. It was the first time I'd seen Clark assert himself!
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Clark or Lois... I can't tell the difference!
August 20, 2009 -
What started out cute with Clark and his window knocking has turned into a frustrating puzzle. He knocks ALL the time! He knocks for reasons I don't understand. I'll be outside calling to him and yet he's focused on continuing to knock. He knocks at different windows throughout the day. I put a picture of a crow in one window and he hasn't been back to that one. Hmmmm... wonder what's going on? He will come to me for food but still knocks after I'm in the yard calling to him. He's never landed on me yet but he'll come to my feet where I drop crumbs and watches me feed the chipmunks and ground squirrels and will even follow them after I give them nuts, especially if I had been feeding him. He seems to feel a little entitled to the food the critters end up getting.
What started out cute with Clark and his window knocking has turned into a frustrating puzzle. He knocks ALL the time! He knocks for reasons I don't understand. I'll be outside calling to him and yet he's focused on continuing to knock. He knocks at different windows throughout the day. I put a picture of a crow in one window and he hasn't been back to that one. Hmmmm... wonder what's going on? He will come to me for food but still knocks after I'm in the yard calling to him. He's never landed on me yet but he'll come to my feet where I drop crumbs and watches me feed the chipmunks and ground squirrels and will even follow them after I give them nuts, especially if I had been feeding him. He seems to feel a little entitled to the food the critters end up getting.
August 21, 2009 -
Hmm...don't know who this guy is. I saw him on my walk today. When I got back, I heard Clark squawking and another bird unfamiliar to me sounding off. The two went back and forth. Meanwhile, the chipmunks and ground squirrels were acting strange. Sometimes they stood like statues, not blinking an eye. Other times they darted beneath a natural cover - a log or stack of wood - or ran to their holes. Chippy acted oddly nervous. She wasn't letting me pet her and she ate her nuts in hiding. This was highly unusual. At first I chalked it up to something to do with hibernation. But a few minutes later the mystery behind the shouting match between Clark and the unknown bird revealed itself. Out of the nearby forest flew a red tailed hawk! It all made sense. The hawk is a predatory bird and all my critters knew danger was nearby. Perhaps Clark was warning the others?
Hmm...don't know who this guy is. I saw him on my walk today. When I got back, I heard Clark squawking and another bird unfamiliar to me sounding off. The two went back and forth. Meanwhile, the chipmunks and ground squirrels were acting strange. Sometimes they stood like statues, not blinking an eye. Other times they darted beneath a natural cover - a log or stack of wood - or ran to their holes. Chippy acted oddly nervous. She wasn't letting me pet her and she ate her nuts in hiding. This was highly unusual. At first I chalked it up to something to do with hibernation. But a few minutes later the mystery behind the shouting match between Clark and the unknown bird revealed itself. Out of the nearby forest flew a red tailed hawk! It all made sense. The hawk is a predatory bird and all my critters knew danger was nearby. Perhaps Clark was warning the others?
My granddaughter took this picture as I unboxed my log splitter. I haven't fired it up yet. Still rereading the directions and safety tips.
August 24 -- After a gorgeous week of mostly sunshine and blue skies, today opens with the grayest of gray overcast skies and one of the wettest days I've seen all summer. It's extra quiet except for the sound of rain drops...
August 25th
Shades of fall are everywhere ...
Once he figured out where the pecans are stashed (a week ago) he doesn't wait to be handed one....
From August 26th on go to my BLOG for the continuing picture story of life here in the hills
From August 26th on go to my BLOG for the continuing picture story of life here in the hills
