These pictures were taken in the last two weeks from my property in Idaho.
Elk:

This was the first time I have ever got a picture of a woodpecker: They tend to be very shy birds. It is just stretching its wing. There is nothing wrong with it:


I didn’t even know there were raccoons in the area:


Mostly unrelated, but early this morning I saw the Northern Lights for the first time ever. This picture was taken from the door of my camping trailer in Idaho. The lights were too far away to be very impressive, but still, I saw them:

Nice photos, Joe! The woodpecker is a Pileated. They usually hang out with their partners, so maybe you have two of them!
I like the Elk. Mom, wait for me!
See any tasty looking spikes lately? You need to put out a water trough and salt licks. Uhgh, for the cattle, you know.
Most creatures travel in rough circuits. Having those patterns down is a biggy for survival.
I used to have huge covey’s of quail at our old place. Every once in a while I would give them some brandy-soaked bird seed.
Their metabolism works so fast the get drunk, fight each other, and pass-out in a matter of minutes.
Go out in pick up a couple for dinner.
The rest would be back tomorrow.
But it’s nice to have critters around. Even just for the looking at.
P.S.
“I didn’t even know there were raccoons in the area:”
Them shitters are everywhere and in everything.
Get some thermal vision. and spend a few sleepless nights. You’ll be amazed how many critters there are.
Drop some stinky food out. On a dark night. Coyotes will walk right up close to you to get it, because they think you can’t see them.
Most of the time their right.
You can make a living pelt hunting with thermals.