By KAREN MADORIN
Years ago, when we lived in the country, we and local critters survived an extended 100 degree+ heat wave one droughty July. Because the creek had gone dry, we filled a kiddie pool a couple times a day so wildlife could slake their thirst. Does brought fawns, coyotes and bobcats crept in under cover of darkness while birds, rabbits, and squirrels turned the round tub into a three-ring circus. After filling their tanks, visiting rodents sought cool places to collapse and wait til dusk dropped temperatures. Recent thermometer readings triggered memories as current bunnies and squirrels compete for water at our birdbaths and then zero in to find the coolest crash pads in the yard.
Anyone who’s lived through more than one summer in Western Kansas hopes to complete outdoor chores and watering in the early morning cool. We soak garden, flower beds, and pots to discourage roasting under hot prairie skies. We fill bird baths early, again at noon, at four o’clock, and at dusk. This practice suits our feathered friends, bunnies, and squirrels. During intense heat, especially when it’s windy, they drain six water containers in short time.
The four o’clock filling is our favorite. We make a point, despite pouring sweat, to rock on our shady deck and watch critters savor fresh, cool water. It’s pure entertainment from our seats. Lately, our mother rabbit introduced her 2 juveniles. Energetically, they whip in for a drink, nibble grass or clover, snarf corn and sunflower seeds and then seek the coolest spot to beat the heat.
Their behavior reminded me of those country squirrels who’d gobble a late lunch, slurp a refill, and scamper onto a shaded patio where they flattened themselves on low growing cedar branches or cool bricks. This current yard has no low branches or cool bricks, so present rodents improvise.
One afternoon, those teenager bunnies spent ten minutes juking and jigging about the yard like practicing football players before they settled into their high tea and eventually a flowerbed snooze. I don’t know how rabbits communicate, but somehow mom let her young know they can safely eat and nap close to the deck where green grasses grow, soil is damp and cool, and humans laugh at their antics.
Once they finish snacking, they scout beneath the big ash tree for the best camp site. Because I water in the morning, evaporation has performed its cooling magic. The cottontails each claim a spot, gently pawing out a soft-landing. Once they settle, they remain alert til nature takes its course. Full tummies and soft earth work like a sleeping tonic, forcing bunny eyes to close and heads to nod. Like resistant toddlers, they jerk to attention a time or two but sleep eventually wins.
Who knew sitting outside watching wildlife at 95 degrees in the shade could engage a body so thoroughly. Keep in mind, while bunnies nap, crazy birds zoom in and out of bird baths like they’re at Dulles Airport. Somehow watching them while fluffy butts snooze keeps a gal awake on a scorching afternoon.