Mainiac update-August deer feeding season
Sunday morning in hot Maine, our town is officially in ”severe drought” conditions. We are on the northern edge that is concentrated on the coastline to our south. We are expecting another 90F+ day today.
The impact of this heat surge (high 80Fs has been pretty typical for several weeks as well) and drought conditions is being felt by our limited landscaping foliage efforts, that is, our hostas. You can see the problem in the image at left: mid-sized doe staring at us while we are reading the Sunday paper on the side deck. Kayla, the dog, did not see or sense her even though she was lying besides me.
While having hostas munched on by the local deer herd is typical, this year they are eating plants they have never, ever chosen. These are the ones near the front steps. Apparently, the drought has reduced the food supply out in our nearby woods and deer are now rummaging everywhere for food. Most unprotected hostas have been de-leaved and de-flowered. They are even eating weeds like jewelweed-which the hummingbirds also like.
When Kayla and I venture out into the woods, she is consistently smelling interesting things along our trail. I am sure it is deer tracks many times. We usually see deer almost every trip out into the back forty but this year, as you can see, they are not only on our property but they are lingering nearby. Most of the animals are does or maybe young male kids. We hardly ever see males anywhere. We have learned this year that the ladies also snort!!