I saw the rare melanistic woodchuck again. It was in a different place, quite far from where I saw it a few weeks ago, right across the large pasture field.

I’m not sure if it has moved from its previous burrow to this new location, or if it’s a male, as male woodchucks rove a specific area visiting the females they have located.

It saw me first, as I approached unaware. But it stayed so still, I almost missed it.

I’m guessing it’s the same woodchuck, as the black colouring is relatively rare, and it seems to have the same prominent fron teeth.

Impressive claws.

(Thanks, Helene, for discovering this wasp nest. I must have walked past it many times!)

I saw something perched in the towering cottonwood.

It was a red tailed hawk, a beautiful bird, I saw as it soared over me, its feet tucked back aerodynamically.

It was definitely watching me.