By the looks of it there is a pest problem here. This property is located not far from the Dungeness River, where the soil is probably soft and rich, happy hunting grounds for moles. If you haven’t made their acquaintence moles hunt for insects as they burrow through the earth. There are voles, too. They’re vegetarians on the prowl for tender roots.
The collectives noun for groups of animals are called “terms of venery.” These terms may be traced back to 15th century England and can be as colorful and interesting as the study of the animals themselves. These terms can be more colorful than the simple “herd of cows.” There is, for example, the classic “exhaultation of larks,” but I rather like “a murmuration of starlings.” If you’ve ever listened to them, you’ll recognize an understatement there. So what does this have to do with moles and my photograph? I will make the observation that this appears to be evidence of a “labour of moles.”
I have notice more mole hills this year that previous ones. 2012 must have been a good breeding year for them.
Very funny and interesting at the same time. You would be a good teacher. We have groundhogs in the area in which we just moved and they make a mess of things, too. I’ve called Bill Murray and have him on standby in case we get threatened by this furry little critters! If I need him, we might even make a movie. I think we’ll call it “Ocala Shack.”
Haha — that’s a good one! If only there was a group of crows there too. Then, you’d have a labour of moles and a murder of crows. Sounds like the beginning of a novel!
How very interesting! I have never seen a mole other than in movies but I guess that’s pretty common, right? 🙂
I love the names given to groups of things – murmuration is one of my favorites too. Sometimes I just go and read the group names for entertainment. When we lived in CA we had gophers but no moles where we came from – so after moving here 12 years ago we discovered the delightful mole – I am always pleased when the moles push up their little mounds of dirt in our yard – our grandsons will load the loose dirt in the ladyBug Wheelbarrow and tote it off to make gardens – or roadways – or any fanciful thing.
I don’t know how I missed this one…moles have become so numerous here. We have trouble with them ever year. And we live in the city. They keep our yard torn up. My cats then dig after them…and catch one ever now and then. (And yes, I do mean cats.)LOL