A few months ago I saw an article about a blog by a woman in Michigan who, using a device called Bird Photo Booth, posted dozens of close-up photos of birds. I looked up the device and saw that it was on back order. I knew that at some point I would buy it because it seemed perfect for me. I could mount it outside my attic window and feed birds during the day while watching the photos on my computer so I ordered it at the end of April. Earlier this week I got an email telling me that my Bird Photo Booth was on its way and should arrive today.
Unfortunately, even though the device has WiFi it is not the WiFi I thought it was, but WiFi to connect to a smartphone. Still, that’s better than the trailcam I bought last year, hoping to get fun photos of birds at the feeder or maybe other wildlife in our suburban backyard. None of my bird photos were very good, except the ones below.
Speaking of the trailcam — in early January, Dean mentioned that some critter had built a large and tidy nest under our side porch composed of leaves, vegetable skins and eggshells stolen from our compost bin. I researched it and came up with the conclusion that we had a opossum living under the porch. I was excited because they are good wildlife. I set up the trailcam to see the opossum in action.
Dean, however, had a different idea and wanted to demolish the pile of compost which he did, some that day and more later in the week. He wasn’t happy about having a opossum living under our porch.
During this time the trailcam collected some pretty cool images — with an early plot twist and a huge one at the end.
So, it was not a opossum after all, but a boring nasty rat. Before we knew it was a rat Dean put out mothballs, thinking critters stay away from mothballs. It didn’t bother the rat.
Remember — we didn’t know anything about the critter until we looked at the photos several days later. I still thought we had a lovely opossum.
We also had other visitors to the “nest” area — a squirrel stopped by, also undeterred by the mothballs.
Here are some night shots of our resident not-a-opossum.
More night shots.
The final night shot that night is the climax to the story and the final plot twist.
We’re pretty sure the fox ate our rat for a early morning breakfast on January 9th. No more rats were picked up on the trailcam after that.
And now for the fun shots.
While I was disappointed we didn’t have a opossum, I was grateful we had a fox to take care of the rat.
Anyway — watch this space for, hopefully, more birds. I promise I won’t show any more rats.
Clutch Cargo Lips 