Love from the Ocean

I stumbled across this heart-shaped rock on Carmel-by-the-Sea beach yesterday. Looks like it rolled in with the tide, judging from the kelp stuck to it. Given its shape and color, I’d say it was a message of love from the Pacific Ocean. We certainly love it back. Of course, I’m not wearing rose colored glasses. All our oceans are under attack from the ravages of pollution and climate change. Maybe this rock is a warning from a dying…

Danger Ahead

You can’t see the danger in this photo of the path above Carmel River Beach with Point Lobos across the way…and that’s the problem. Ticks are out in full force as we weather another drought. Stay on the path, something not easy for Ivan, a long haired dog that loves to sniff all bushes. Of course, I put tick repellant on him (reminder, he needs a new application). Last year after a hike I picked up five ticks on my neck and ankles–they come in bunches. I do a tick check after every hike followed by a shower.

Two years ago I led a group of 20 relatives on a coastal hike. I was the only one with ticks after we were done! Yes, I should try tick repellant.

Visitor with a Story

For the last four mornings a fawn has been “sleeping” in our front yard behind some shrubbery. I called the local SPCA wildlife rescue team for advice. Here is the story: If the fawn is not crying or moving around anxiously, then it is most likely under the care of its mother–do not touch it, or feed it. Deer are born without a scent, a natural protection attribute against predators. The mother stays away because her scent might attract predators. She will come at dawn and dusk hours to feed and/or check on the fawn after having picked a safe place for it to stay–our front yard!

We live a block away from a public school–we do not live in a forest. Regardless rabbits and quails are in the yard most days, so there is room for a fawn. I’ve altered my activity with Ivan to avoid visits from the doe.

If the fawn is trapped and in obvious distress, the SPCA would send a rescue team. But the best plan is to wait for the fawn to go off on its own. Based on my description of it and this photo, that might occur within a week or two.

I will note that when I go out to our driveway, the fawn will leave, leaping as it goes, to a neighbor’s yard.

I’ve seen a large doe on the street recently, so maybe she is nearby in the woods by the Carmel River.

In terms of predators we have dogs, coyotes and mountain lions. With the drought mountain lion sightings have increased. Uneasy times.

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