Groundhog Stew

 

Woodchuck

Our procrastinating groundhog

Susquehanna Stew

Is out to have a look around

Eight days overdue

 

Woodchuck

Nibbling on some morsels

Basking in the sun

Almost three months since his last meal

Gee, that must be fun

 

Woodchuck

But eating dried-up grasses

Might not do the trick

He might start feeling woozy

Or even getting sick

 

Woodchuck

All this nonstop grazing

Stew’s just like a cow

He needs to find a way to stop

And end this binge right now

 

Woodchuck

So when he saw his shadow

He knew just what to do

Time to head down under

‘Til wintertime is through

 

Woodchuck

This crazy superstition

Sure did take its toll

The situation’s urgent

He’s headed for his hole

 

Woodchuck

But Stew’s no fan of digging

Or all that woodchuck hype

This marmot has no burrow

 His home’s a broken pipe

 

Woodchuck

So if you want to see him

In springtime when it rains

Keep an eye on the clover field

Outside the flooding drains

 

Always a great time Stew.  See you in the spring.  And remember, it’s never a good idea to be late for dinner, so stay away from the carrots, celery, potatoes, and onions—someone may get the wrong idea!

It’s Been a Stinkin’ Hot Week

Turkey Vulture and Road-killed Woodchuck
…but the stench would have been a lot worse without our friendly neighborhood scavengers around to clean up our mess.  Turkey Vultures thrive in scorching temperatures, riding thermal updrafts to patrol the countryside for roadkill victims like this unfortunate Woodchuck.

Photo of the Day

American Robin
We don’t have a resident groundhog at susquehannawildlife.net headquarters, but the arrival of an American Robin to begin cleaning the abundance of berries from our holly trees and shrubs gives us the idea that spring is just around the corner.  We could hardly be happier.

Photo of the Day

The Woodchuck (Marmota monax), also known as the groundhog, gets no respect.  Shouldn’t it be the official state mammal of Pennsylvania?   After all, a nationally recognized holiday centers on the prognostications of the state’s favorite son, “Punxsutawney Phil”.  And think of all those state lottery tickets sold by that media groundhog, “Gus”.  Yep, only Pennsylvania would have an animal often named for a different state as its official mammal: the Virginia White-tailed Deity.