The grove is home to a host of wildlife, but some are simply passing through.
Unlike the Mexican Orioles (see one below) they like to spend the summer with us until early Fall.
Ground squirrels and gophers are a problem. Ground squirrels constantly tunnel out small holes that connect like an underground cave system. Gophers dig hole close to new plants to eat the roots.
We have multiple variety of snakes, the scariest of which is the rattlesnake. We don’t mind them being in the grove as long as they stay away from the homestead.
This roadrunner uses the grove as a vacation place. He comes for several weeks, disappears, then a few months later, he is back again.
The grove is home to many hummingbirds that nest close to our home and sugar water.
Coyotes pass through our grove mostly at night, sometimes stopping to find food or water.
Many tarantulas burrow around the grove. They come out at night to hunt. During certain times in the year, females spin a silk web over their holes to attract males.
Raccoons pass through the grove after stopping to find something to eat.