MY WILDLIFE CHARCUTERIE TABLE

 

My husband and I purchased some wooded acreage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  It is our 'out of the city', woodland get away.  We also live in the UP but in the City of Menominee, MI about 45 minutes away from this woodland paradise.  We love both places and enjoy the beauty of each.   Sometimes, the peace and quiet of hearing and feeling all that nature offers is just what we need to recharge our mind, body and spirit.  

Initially we brought some chairs and a table out to the acreage so that we could just sit and listen to all of the beautiful sounds of the woods.  We'd occasionally talk about the possibly of someday building a structure of some sort so that we could stay there for longer than just an afternoon. But, generally, upon arrival at our getaway, we would just relax in our chairs, breath in the fresh pine air and try to stop all of the chatter in our heads and just listen to the refreshing, swirling wind high up in the pines.  My always busy mind would actually slow down and relax for a while, but soon enough, as usual, my creative juices would begin flowing and I would start creating. 

We didn't see many birds or any animals when we first started spending time out on the property.  We were used to feeding birds and squirrels at our home in the city and we missed seeing them.  We felt like they were watching us from afar not knowing if we were friend or foe, so safely keeping their distance for now,

After a few afternoons at the property, we hung a few bird feeders and filled them with seed every time we would go out there.  We'd see an occasional bird fly in and take a seed and then fly off.  When we would return to the property, all of the feeders would be empty...so, we knew that they had found our feeders.  I also decided to put a container on the ground for the little critters. I put peanuts, sunflower seeds and acorns that I had collected at the base of a big old oak tree in a favorite park of ours. The chipmunks and the squirrels found this buffet.   I almost tripped over the chipmunks as they came running for a seed or a peanut.  We were so entertained by their arrival and would keep putting out treats the whole time we were out there.  We were not sure if the same chipmunk or the same squirrel was coming by, eating a bit, stuffing its cheeks and scampering away only to return in moments.  Or, if there were several.  We were just glad to provide them with food and that they were hopefully putting some seed away for our long winters up north.  

Creating a wildlife feeding table became my creative project out in the beautiful woods.  It became   another avenue for creativity for me.  I began spreading out the seeds, peanuts, corn and collected acorns on the table right in front of us.  As I would sit there, I would begin arranging all of these goodies into some sort of design.  This design began to grow with every visit.  

  It took a while but soon we would see birds landing on branches all around us.  And then suddenly one would land on the table, look around, grad a seed and take off rather quickly.  We would sit perfectly still and enjoy our close up look at our bird visitors.  We were overjoyed.  City birds become accustomed to our presence and don't scare away very easily...but out here where they don't see people that often...they needed to really check us out before spending anytime near us.  

  One day was especially amazing.  We could hear the familiar sounds of Chickadees in the distance, and it sounded like quite a few of them.  All of a sudden, we had Chickadees all around us...flying around like a swarm of bees.  Landing on branches all around us, on the feeders, on the table and on the ground.  And then, they would land on us.  We were honored that they felt this comfortable to be near and around us.     

My always busy mind thought if they come for seed type items, they will also come for apples, and other fresh foods.  So, after going through my refrigerator and picking out the iffy veggies and fruit and also the ends of bread, I would pack them up to take out to what would become the wildlife charcuterie table. 

When we would arrive at the acreage I would pull out all of my bags of fresh produce and just sit at the table for a while.  I would spread out the items that I brought and devise a pattern using those types and colors of food.   Being me, I started out with simple displays of food, but each week my display of food became more artistic.  I'm sure that the deer and other visitors to the table noticed all of the artistic growth. (?) 

 

My husband would wander around the property while I would chop, design and finally take a picture of my latest table.  

When we would return to the property, I would immediately go to the table to see if there was any food left and if so, what they seemed to like and what they did not like to eat.

They loved apples, strawberries, peanuts, acorns, sunflower seeds, pears, corn on the cob, carrots, berries and homemade oatmeal cookies, and sometimes bread.  But they absolutely did not like oranges, romaine lettuce, corn silk or corn husks, nor did they like the pumpkin I left for a Halloween treat.  I had always seen pictures of what squirrels did to a carved pumpkin.  In eating the pumpkin, they would further carve the eyes, nose and mouth.  The one I carved and set out, was not even touched...just festive and fun for them, I hoped.  

We have a trail cam, and I decided to put it on a nearby tree to see just who visited out table.  Initially it was a variety of critters, squirrels, birds, possums, chipmunks, turkeys, and some deer.  And then, it became most all deer.  So, once I had seen more deer than I ever wanted to...I took down the trail cam.  The weather was beginning to shift, and I knew that we would not be coming out as often, So, when we would make it out there, I would fill the feeders to the top and cover the table with seed, peanuts, acorns, and corn...and wished them all a peaceful winter.  Have a peaceful winter dear friends and we will see you again when the winter weather breaks.   

Some of the best advice that you will ever hear will come from the forest....