Gophers, Ogphers, and Goofers

This year, it does seem like record numbers of pocket
gophers have hit the California landscape.

My theory is that they have, much as deer have, found
the native landscape barren of food this late in the
season due to the dry winter we had and have
discovered the fresh roots and greens of the watered
urban, rural, and suburban landscapes.

I'd also add one more note to that.  In our area, at
least, there's a GREAT deal of housing development
going on.  This is Santa Maria's largest home building
period ever.  And the gophers native haunts are all
but gone.

At the risk of firing up some emotions here and
opening a BIG can of worms, I am strongly against
allowing cats to roam yards.  I love cats.  I have
one.  But cats do not belong outside where they can
catch the native birds, reptiles, bugs, and whatever
small critters they can get their paws on.  Although
they may be champion gopher grabbers, they are
indescriminate in their tastes and sport.  They also
have a bad tendency to use the neighbors' yards for
their wild fertilizing habits, if you know what I
mean.

The internet has plenty of web sites that offer
detailed plans for owl houses, hawk houses, and the
general concept of allowing wild things, including
snakes, into one's garden.

Why is it we create such an artificial environment
with our gardens and for some reason they succumb to
the nasties of the wild such as deer and gophers and
yet we have a hard time encouraging the "good guys"? 
Hmmmm?

Joe

=====
Joe Seals
Santa Maria, California --
where the weather is always perfect
and my garden always has something blooming
and birds galore

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes
http://finance.yahoo.com
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index