When I moved to suburban Rhode Island from Brooklyn two years ago, I didn’t expect to see the wide array of wild animals that I’ve encountered in my own backyard.

Wild Turkey Hen Struts Across Our Lawn

I suppose the destruction of their natural habitats has resulted in many of these cute critters becoming our neighbors.  In addition to the ever-present squirrels and chipmunks,  I’ve seen foxes, possums, rabbits and deer.  I’ve even heard very creditable reports of coyotes and fishercats in the area (unfortunately, the ‘missing pet’ signs attest to their presence, as well).  However, my favorite wild visitors are the wild turkey.  Every time I see one of these amazing birds, I dig out my camera and try to snap a few photos.  Of course, my photos always look like crap and never do the birds any justice, but I wanted to post a few anyways.  Last week, we had a hen with eight poults visit our birdfeeder and spend over an hour traipsing through our yard, pecking at anything that looked tasty.  They are so cool!  It actually made me glad that our backyard has more weeds than grass!  This morning, my kids ran to the window yelling that the turkeys were back.  This time, there were two hens with the eight poults.  I’m pretty sure it was the same family that visited a few weeks ago, and I was really relieved to see that all eight babies were still there.

The Babies Nibble By the Birdfeeder

When immigrants from Europe began settling North America in the 1600’s, wild turkeys were plentiful and became an important food source.  By the early 1900’s the population had dwindled due to habitat destruction and over-hunting.  However, conservation efforts have returned wild turkeys to sustainable levels.  According to the North American Wild Turkey Management Plan  “the comeback of wild turkeys in North America is arguably the greatest conservation success story in history.” Unfortunately, the number of wild turkeys surviving to adulthood in Rhode Island seems to be dwindling, possibly due to factors including predators and poor weather conditions.   (The Providence Journal has more details.)  The RI Department of Environmental Management has asked that wild turkey sitings be reported to help track local populations.  I already reported ‘my’ brood to be added to the turkey census!

Mama Turkey Looking In My Window While I Take Pictures

Three Baby Turkeys Look for a Snack

One Little Turkey Walking Down Our Lavender Path

If you could be an animal, which animal would that be?  After giving it considerable thought, I, without doubt, would be a house cat.

Catnip Kitties

Just think about it — fresh food and water always on hand, the ability to roam about in the ‘wilderness’ (or suburban neighborhood) at will, an entire house full of couches, pillows, and beds at your disposal, chase squirrels when you feel a bit feral, and then come inside for a good scratch behind the ears…  I guess I wouldn’t want to be just ANY cat; I’d want to be one of MY cats.  I know, there is a certain level of cache and adventure to being a wild animal, but do you really want to have to hunt for your food every freaking day?  Not to mention, who wants to be dodging predators when you could be napping in the sun?

Box of Catnip Kitty Toys

Anyway, in honor of being a cat, I wanted to share one of our recent craft ideas.  Using a similar technique to my wild things felt dolls, my kids and I made catnip toys for our kitties (Bacco, Max, and Petunia) and some of our other kitty friends.  These little toys were fun and easy to whip up in an afternoon.

Materials:
1. Craft Felt
2. Scissors
3. Permanent Markers
4. Fiberfill or Cotton Batting
5. Catnip
6. Sewing machine or needle and thread

Step 1 (for the kids) – using the permanent marker, draw a cat face on one of the pieces of felt.  Draw eyes in a contrasting color
Step 2 (for a grown up) – cut out the cat face and eyes.  leave about 1/4 – 1/2 for seam allowance. trace the cat face onto another piece of  felt and cut it out so that you have to matching pieces (a front and a back)
Step 3 (for a grown up) – sew the eyes onto the face
Step 4 (for a grown up) – place wrong sides together of cat face front and back; sew together leaving 1 – 2″ opening at the bottom
Step 5 (for the kids) – stuff the toy with fiberfill and catnip
Step 6 (for a grown up) – sew the bottom shut
Step 7 (for the kids) – toss the cat nip toy to a kitty and see what happens!

Our cats love wrestling around with their catnip kitties!

Look What We Made!

Completely off-topic, my daughter made this creepily realistic pair of legs out of our leftover fiberfill and a pair of her tights.  I just had to post the photo.

Funky Tights - Preschool Artistic Expression!