Night Noises

 Where we lived before was in a housing area of a small city. 

Most nights were quiet, but sometimes there would be the occasional sound that disturbed the peace. A car going down the road, the newspaper delivery man on his scooter at 3am. A baby crying or families shouting. Sirens from the main fire station or police cars on the main road, both just a few minutes walk away.  Dogs barking and cats fighting. 

These noises were somehow comforting; I recognized what they were and could, for the most part, ignore them!

We moved to the middle of the countryside in December, and it was so quiet at night. But as nature has woken up after the winter, the noises have started, and I'm slightly freaked out.

Some noises I recognize, the frogs in the creek set up a real racket or a late-night car, a few times ambulances have gone past, there are a lot of elderly people in this area, so I guess that is normal. 

But there are so many noises that I don't recognize. Insects chirping, some night birds, I think I've heard an owl a few times.

Last night was awful. Some animal was moving around in the undergrowth outside my window. I could hear it scurrying around and stifling, then it started to sneeze! I have no idea what was there, and I don't want to know! What was out there?  

Also, this house is noisy. It settles at night, it sounds like it's sighing, relieved that it has survived another day.  

The doors are all sliding doors, except for the bathroom and toilet doors. Anytime they are opened, they scrape along the runners. Last night, the cats managed to open three different doors, I kept going out to see what was going on!

I guess with time, I'll get used to the night noises.

Early morning brings lovely bird songs, until the crows start! Their call is so raw, like vocal sandpaper! But somehow it harmonizes with the morning chorus! I don't think anybody could oversleep here!

Last night we had a beautiful sunset. I managed to get some photos, but they don't do the colors justice.

Beautiful

Reflection of the sunset on the mountains

I went to check on the blueberries this morning, they are just starting to ripen!

Found this little guy

Praying Mantis

Just a baby one, so I could get close enough to take a photo, if it were an adult, I would be running the other way.

And of course, the cats had to check on me.

Nosey cats!