The Pusch Ridge home was built on a sloping hillside with plenty of wildlife included at no extra charge. To keep them out of the back yard I fenced it with a small mesh aviary wire. We had been plagued with javelins, rabbits and even tortuous but this seemed to stop the intruders, Access to the back yard was through this double gate I constructed. It had a small gate on the left to allow people access. When a vehicle or piece of machinery needed to travel through the right gate was opened also. Square steel tubing was used for the basic frame and the surface was covered with screen. Decoration was added by hanging saguaro sticks on the right gate that banged about in the wind and added to the discouragement of wildlife.
One evening when JoAnn and I returned from an obligation we heard a whimpering sound in the vicinity of the back gate. Upon investigation we found a lone baby javelin huddled in the corner by the gate. It had become separated from the herd that had a habit of tromping across the property. We didn't want to move it for fear the mom might be out there in the dark, ready to charge us and defend her baby so we left the problem to be resolved by natural consequences. In the morning the baby was gone so we assumed it was reunited with the family.
Prior to fencing off the back yard we discovered a desert tortoise floating in our water pond. I guess they aren't much of a swimmer. We were relieved that didn't happen again after the fence went up. All of these animals had their trails across the countryside established and then we moved in and disrupted their life. The least we could do was keep them away from danger with a fence.
*More detail on my art can be found at my website <www.apatchablue.com>
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