NorCal Wonderland

With the epic 100-year-type rains we have been having in 2017, we have been spotting critters in our neighborhood and up in Lake Tahoe that we have never ever seen or even thought inhabited either area.  While chatting with friends on our back deck, a very large red tail hawk flew out of a nearby nest and directly over our heads about thirty feet above.  It was quite an awesome and slightly unnerving experience.  And several times this past week, we have spotted a California grey fox pacing across our hillside.  The week prior we noticed a wild turkey lurking at the very top of the hill on our side of the fence.  And during our week up in Tahoe for our daughter's ski lessons, we were lucky enough to see a playful beaver swimming around a marsh near our favorite dog park, amidst the record snowfall.  On the drive back into our parking lot, we witnessed the most remarkable sight -- a very stout bobcat chasing and ultimately catching a small chipmunk under an SUV at the far end of the lot.  The bobcat left with the catch hanging from its mouth but not before glaring straight at us for what seemed like a full minute.  Our little princess doesn't get why her parents were so in awe.  Eye roll and back to her Kindle.  Some day.  Some day.