I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it’s such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.
— Ellen DeGeneres
Dear Gary:
Rossmoor is a haven for wildlife, which makes an early morning walk special.
Taking my usual walk around 7 a.m., I encounter single or small groups of deer at various spots along my way. When they occur, these series of meetings are in approximately the same areas each time. I assume that the different deer stake out their own spaces for browsing.
Since I have been meeting these deer so often and assume that they are the same ones, I have been wondering if they have any sense of recognition of me as an individual. Are they aware of the same person appearing repeatedly so they are not as startled at my approach? At times we are within 10 or 15 feet, although most of the time further apart, so would they recognize my odor? Is their sense of smell as active as their sight and hearing?
Joy Hicks, Rossmoor,
Walnut Creek
Dear Joy:
Deer you regularly meet on morning walks will quickly learn to spot humans who don’t bother them and those who give them a bad time.
They check you out at future encounters by sight, smell and sound. They first recognize you at a distance when they see you, then verify your smell as you get closer, while listening all the time. They tend to ignore you if you’re on their “safe” list, and move away if you’re someone who hassles them.
Even if they “know” you, it’s always best to keep a safe distance between you and local wildlife.
Dear Gary:
I have two small wasp nests (about the size of a large egg) under my eaves.
My husband bought some Spectracide wasp and hornet killer but has not yet applied it. His thoughts are that if the wasps are not bothering us, perhaps we should just leave them alone.
What are your thoughts about leaving the nests?
B. Walker, cyberspace
Dear B.:
Your husband is a man after my own heart.
If they aren’t bothering you, why kill them? The pest control people advertise that we should be terrified of and kill anything that moves, wiggles or crawls. That would certainly keep them in business, wouldn’t it?
Wasps are a natural part of your backyard ecosystem. If they turn out to be a problem (which I doubt) you can always deal with them later.
I have wasps in my garden. We get along just fine. There’s plenty of room for everyone.
BEASTLY THINGS TO DO
• Volunteer with Contra Costa Animal Services and discover how you can make a difference. If you’re 18 or older and like animals, attend the Animal Services Volunteer Orientation, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 16), 4800 Imhoff Place, Martinez. More details at 925-335-8335.
• Outcast Cat Help is a nonprofit group dedicated to helping the community humanely control and care for stray and feral cats. They need volunteer assistance with fundraising, public relations and cat caretakers. They also need donations of money, cat food, large bath towels, cat carriers and veterinary care. For more details, see outcastcats.org or call 925-788-0356.
• Purrfect Cat Rescue and other local rescue groups will host a FREE community event Saturday (Aug. 16), 1-8 p.m. at Niles Community Park in Fremont, to remember and honor the many companion animals that die in U.S. shelters every year. There will be low-cost shots and microchipping available, plus vendors, pets to be adopted and snacks. The event ends with a mayoral proclamation and candlelight vigil.
Find more Gary in his blog at www.ibabuzz.com/garybogue or write Gary, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-8099; old columns at ContraCostaTimes.com, click on Columns; e-mail garybug@infionline.net.
