

Then I noticed two other sea creatures, water grasshoppers and walking sticks. No idea what they really are, but they looked like underwater grasshoppers and sticks with hermit crabs in them. Altogether with our many many salamanders in this tiny pond.



Then we were down by our trout ponds, and suddenly FLAP FLAP PANICKED FLAP a mallard was trapped under our pond netting! We tried to free him, loosening the net in several places, but he stupidly kept trying to fly thru the nets, and the mesh at the banks, and then later he hid so well I thought he was gone finally, but no, FLAP FLAP PANIC! and it scared the crap outte me all over again. I have no idea if he's still down there. We made another "gate" for him, but who knows.
Then I discovered there's some rebel trout that has jumped free and has been swimming around all alone in pond number 2. When I first saw him, I thought, "Miracle" and ran to Gay-org, who was tending his trout babies. "WHAT!? How did that trout get there?!??!?!" and he said "OH YAH, I forgot to tell you. Apparently so did Mr. S. He got away. So he's been there for 6 months, just fending for himself. You should try to feed him, he's probably hungry." !!! So I threw some pellets by him, and he's just so clever, he won't move. He's not tempted, he won't budge, he's completely wild now. No blue heron is gonna get him! He hides in the plants and doesn't come out. I love his rebel spirit! His stealth! He doesn't even come for food anymore like his "tame" brothers. I am rooting for him, and he doesn't know it.
I think that was it for the day. But really, this was ONE DAY in the country. So many new animals, unexpectedly found. I tried to show Baasha the salamanders in the net, and he licked the net! I know why - I fished out several apples from that pond, apparently it's applejuice now.
He finally has picked up an appetite. I didn't know he didn't have it. But he's pawing and nickering for his mashes now, and scarfing them down instead of leaving them to go search for grass. It feels good to see him yearning for his meals. Of course he's always got hay, but it's not as interesting as grass.
One thing I love about living in Germany - things just get done. I mean, we didn't call to have the propane company come by and fill our tanks, they just did, automatically. And the chimney sweep - he just showed up. And guess who showed up yesterday - the propane tank company's clean/paint man! When he said, "I'm here to paint your propane tank," I hugged him as I would an old friend.



I made the regrettable error of grooming Baasha on our front lawn today. I looked around and realized I was coating our front lawn in a deep blanket of winter horse hair. Thick. For some reason I couldn't stop. I kept going. Then I asked my man for the vaccuum but, alas, it's Sunday. You can't vaccuum on a Sunday in Germany. (That is, you can't make loud, working noises.) The arab across the street noticed him for the first time, and was staring at us the whole time. My man threw carrots out onto the lawn for Baasha to find. Baasha just wanted to mow lawn.
I hand-picked up all the white hair. A whole persian cat's worth. When will this end? Really, I've forgotten, how long does it take? People in Germany feed "Shedding vitamins" - honestly, it's a tradition here to feed vitamins during shedding season. The horses here suffer some sort of depression during shedding season that shows they need them. Or something. I feed Baasha green grass and 20 carrots a day, that should do it: )

10 comments:
Whoever said living in the country was dull? Lol
Wow, that's a lot of nature for one day! And spring has only just sprung!
Wow thats a lot of critters! Hedgehogs are cute! Looks like country life will keep you both busy!
It must be nice to live in a place where wildlife is mostly of the cute and cuddly type. :)
Something we DON'T do in rural Tennessee is pick up snakes without being *VERY SURE* what kind they are first. We have 32 types of snakes here, and five of 'em you don't want to meet in a dark alley, so to speak ! :)
That little hedgehog is so cute! Do people keep them as pets there? Probably not, considering German practicality.
Whew! Such an exciting day filled with discovery! What fun!
And how brave you were to pick up the snake. Aren't there any species of poisonous snakes in Germany?
When I saw that white rusty tank with the gaudy lettering I was just going to type, "Jeez can't they paint it dark green to blend in better?" lol!
Well at least they could paint over that loud lettering and paint it light green. It looks so much better!
Before you know Baasha is going to be fat, shiny, shedding-free and gorgeous with his new diet, exercise and good care. And then you'll be out on the trails together again.
So exciting!!!
~Lisa
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindschleiche
i still think that the snake is a "blindschleiche".
i'm looking forward to "sit" your house in july.
luv,
sonja
Cdn - too much work to be dull!
FV - the spring we've all waited for!
Reddunappy - I'm so glad my man is getting into the work too. What a surprise, my city husband is changing. He was out there before me today, work gloves on, blackberry cutters in hand.
Jason - I've never lived in a place with poisonous snakes. I have lived with wildlife that is not cuddly though! I think it's sad that so many predator animamls here have died out, and there's apparently no plan to reintroduce them, cuz..where?? (wolves)
Leah - people go out and build little homes for their garden hedgehogs. They are considered very cute here too: )
Lisa - I assumed the snakes here are not poisonous. I just asked my man and he doesn't know: )
I'm glad you agree about that awful tank. I hate that thing, but now a little bit less.
Sonja - Thanks for the link, that's him! I found one more today I think they're lovely. I wouldn't want one in my HOUSE, but in the yard's OK: )
I love the salamander! Fiddle and I nearly stepped on one on the trail the other day...whoops. She didn't spook, but I did.
So did the salamander.
Me too, but it's kind of nice to be able to raise calves or other baby animals without worrying that a bear will think he has been provided room serice, as happened to me on more than one occasion in central Ontario ! :)
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