May 19, 2008
Bear, Deer, and other wildlife
Who saw the bear this morning?
If you do see it in the future, don’t approach or even gawk, just call 911 so Animal Control can be alerted. They are hoping it will find its way back to more wilderness.
This reminded me of a few years ago when the deer came into the neighborhood and was clattering his hooves along the cobblestone alleys.
My neighbor on China Street, Larry, told me about growing up in Oregon Hill back in the 50’s, when there was ponies behind the Parsons House and you could go furtively hunting on the James River with a .22.
Anyone have any good wildlife (nonhuman, please) stories in Oregon Hill?
Wow, this story is crazy. It immediately made me think of the person who lives on 300 Block of Laurel St. who has all the Appalachian Trail stickers on their front door. By the way, if that person posts on here… I’d love to talk about the trail.
Anyways, adding some sightings… last week as I was getting out of my car and walking toward my house on 800 block of China St. I saw something messing around in the trash can. I figured it was a stray dog or a squirrel or something. Turns out it was a raccoon. I only realized this when I got within 10 feet of it when it jumped out of the trash can, causing me a sudden yet small heart attack. The little guy stayed in the alley next to my door starring at me for at least 5-10 minutes before I got it to run away so I could go in the door. Pretty cool, even though at the time I was pretty shocked.
Also, even though this isn’t extremely uncommon I’ve seen several possums in the neighborhood. Mostly on 300 Block of Laurel St. though.
I can remember the chickens, ponies, goats, etc. when I first moved here in the early 80’s. I had a wolf hybrid that had a litter of pups and even though I had several food bowls for the large litter of ten pups, she went out and brought back a huge rooster. It’s neck was about as big around as my wrist. I quickly buried it before the owner showed.
Possums have always been plentiful around here. Deer used to bed down in the playground before “Dodge City” was constructed. The cemetary is also home to several red-tailed hawks. Anyone see the baby last year?
Last I heard one of these bears turned out to be a big dog.