Things that go bump in the night

'Bandit' linocut, 4x6"; Kathleen Faulkner

I grew up on science fiction and Twilight Zone. 

The first time I heard a raccoon in the night it scared me and, of all the urban wildlife in this area, raccoon is still my least favorite.  

There's something about their presence in the dark that makes me 

nervous.

I stay inside when I know they're around.
I wish them well, though.

Buddy

'Buddy' woodblock print; Kathleen Faulkner

Crow is another well adapted urban resident that irritates more than it inspires..   

although, in mythology, Crow is highly regarded. 

 

It is always a good idea to be nice to crow.   He never forgets.  

I have a friend that will not go outside when crows are around.  He is continually buzz bombed by them when he's spotted.  He says he doesn't know why but my guess is that he wasn't nice a time or two.

    

Wiley

'Rabbit's View' woodblock print; Kathleen Faulkner

If you look up coyote on the internet you'll find that most of the information is about how to kill them.  No one seems to like the coyote especially the smaller urban critters.  

Coyote is one of the most adaptable animals in the world.  Good for them, bad for the critters.

Since we humans are taking up all the habitat we should expect that some cats, rabbits and other small mammals will become food for these guys,  gourmet food,  plump and juicy from easy living.

There is one that hangs out around here now and then but, so far, the cat and the rabbits are alive and well and I still see the squirrels digging around the yard.

I like to think of coyote as the transformer:  in the mythological world, he is heroic with attributes such as transformation, travel, high deeds and power.  His job is to change the ways of rivers, the standing of mountains and create new landscapes.  He is also the one that gets sacred things for people.  

I have the utmost respect for coyote.

Deer Prudence

'Prudence' woodblock print; Kathleen Faulkner

'The sun is out, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you..'

Lucky

'Lucky' woodblock print; Kathleen Faulkner

I'm working on the first project of the year.  Just for fun, I thought I'd make prints of the animals that live on my property.  Since soon it will be the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, I decided to start with this critter. 

A friend said that rabbits are chewers and cause trouble.  Probably so but, the rabbit and I have made a deal. 

In the ether world, rabbits are considered lucky.  

Canada Post greets the Year of the Rabbit with new stamps