Can you find the mouse in this picture?
This afternoon, a deer mouse climbed the vines that cling to the house and made its way to the window ledge.
Its scurrying movements back and forth along the ledge quickly caught the attention of everyone inside.
Deer mice are recognizable by their white underbelly which contrasts with the rest of their brownish grey fur. They have big ears and beautiful dark eyes. They can scale vertical surfaces and are extremely agile. Especially hardy, they’re known to survive for 5 to 7 years, twice the life expectancy of most mice.
Unfortunately, these mice are also carriers of the hanta virus and lyme disease. The best way to appreciate them is through glass. Care should also be taken to avoid their nests and droppings.
This little mouse was quite busy checking out the vine leaves during its short visit. It seemed to be eating little translucent granules that were clinging to some of the stems. It was very active and managed to even climb a few of them.
Hang in there baby!
Before we could say ‘Appley Dapply’ our cute little visitor was gone, but not before it managed to give us one good look through the glass. It was probably wondering what all the fuss was about.
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2012
Those are some really excellent photographs, especially the one with the children behind the glass.
Thanks Judy. The mouse and the children were all very photogenic
Lovely, lovely pictures Amy-Lynn. Good job my two cats weren’t in town, they would have made a delicious snack out of that sweet little critter…….. sorry!
Thank you Lynne. A mouse dropped from a cat’s mouth last week as I was chasing it out of the yard. I’m sure your cats would have a field day here.
Fantastic pictures! These have to be the sweetest, most adorable pictures I’ve seen in a long time! So cute – I’d love to cuddle the deer mouse but I doubt he would appreciate that. The children’s curious faces only add to the sense of wonder. Glad you were able to capture all the excitement on camera!
Barbara, it does seem to invite cuddling doesn’t it? One of my sons once had pet mice (not deer mice). They were sweet little creatures and had more individual character than one would ever imagine.
The children were pretty excited to see this little one up close as was I. So much so that I’m amazed the photos turned out so well.
Oh Amy-Lynn, I am in love ! What a sweetie !
The photographs are wonderful, especially the ones with the children. Beautifully done.
Thanks Sybil. I think it’s the size and darkness of their eyes that ups the cute factor.
Oh, how gorgeous! Well-captured images, particularly with the children looking at the mouse, completely enthralled. What a pity that they are disease carriers…
Reggie, I wonder how many children took these as pets from the wild years ago before it was discovered that they carried so many diseases. They are such attractive creatures. They even have fur on their tails.
Wow–I love the image where the deer mouse is looking right at ‘us’! Another weave in the incredibly complex web we live in. I’ve had cats leave these tiny mice as ‘gifts’ on the doorstep.
Me too Eva. Its little scrunched up face is sweet. Cats are such lousy gift-givers. Cat owners should definitely look into gift registries.
Ahh well the “lousy” is in our perception–not the cats’. LOL. As far as felines are concerned such gifts are the “cat’s meow”.
So true
The deer mouse is the cutest of all mice! My cat has played with them. I think they eventually got away – not sure.
Dustytoes, it is indeed. This little one was extremely quick and agile. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did get away from your cat.
Wonderful photos! I especially like the look of wonder on the child’s face.
Thank you Sheryl
I am absolutely sure that the “deer mouse” in your first photograph is really a “dear mouse” (as in a grandchild). There is probably a real mouse hidden in the photo, but these eyes did not spot it. Instead they were fixated on the dear child.
Kathy, the deer mouse is actually right at the center of the photo. Yes, the dear child can be a distraction
but have another look and you’ll probably see it this time.
Adorable! I feel like your mouse is part of some sweet children’s story, or could be. Lovely photos!
Thanks engchick23. I’m so glad you enjoyed it
Anna, it’s cool how it’s able to tuck them in so that it does indeed appear like that.
Reblogged this on The Rat Diaries.
Thanks Anna