groundhog – The Morning Porch/Patio

Saturday February 02, 2019

Dave Bonta February 2, 2019

The sound of two trains approaching a crossing at the same time—their unplanned duet. I study the tracks in the yard, looking for groundhog.

Dave Bonta March 6, 2016 1

In the warm sun at the woods’ edge, a groundhog gathers a mouthful of dried leaves and dives into her burrow. Far-off cries of tundra swans.

Dave Bonta November 16, 2015

To the east, an agitated crow. Over by the cattails, an anxious wren. And behind me under the house, a groundhog bumps and scrapes.

Dave Bonta July 3, 2015

Overcast and cool. The dog suddenly rises from her lethargy to dive off the porch and chase a groundhog back under the house.

Dave Bonta June 21, 2015

The light between showers. A groundhog plows through the stiltgrass in the yard. Later, two chipmunks touch noses at the end of the porch.

Dave Bonta May 11, 2015

The bluebirds perch side by side on a branch, facing the dead cherry and their hidden, ravenous brood. A fat groundhog runs across the yard.

Dave Bonta May 2, 2015

The groundhog that woke me with its bumping under the floor grazes serenely on wild onions. The first hummingbird zooms past the porch.

Dave Bonta April 2, 2014

A pair of phoebes fly in and out of the old nest under the springhouse eaves. Done foraging, a groundhog barrels full-tilt toward its den.

Dave Bonta March 19, 2014

Overcast and cold. The groundhog that lives under the roots of a locust tree is out foraging. She climbs atop a stump and scratches herself.

Dave Bonta March 8, 2014 1

A groundhog crosses the road and enters a burrow just cleared of snow. A song sparrow sings close enough that I can see his throat throb.