While we battle the water table in the excavation tent, the animals are taking advantage of the increased flow in Buttermilk Creek. There is still scarce food, due to the extended drought, but the deer are quite numerous, and appear to be much healthier than they were earlier this year. We are also having a wild pig problem, with the surface being torn up all around the tract. Our red-shouldered hawk is still hanging around, as is the great blue heron that frequents the big pond.