Received this direct:
Hi Cap'n,
Harvest is over for this year--indeed, I'm just nicely working off
Thanksgiving (Canadian) dinner! I had to keep reminding myself that sitting
behind those combine windows was a necessary evil as I counted yet another
deer/coyote/rabbit/fox bounding out of the safflower mere inches from my
take-up reel as it gobbled up the standing grain.
My last day on the combine I picked up this trophy--see attached pic. In
fairness, my arrow is only for scale, and the vertebrae and body were found
separate from the skull. HOWEVER... In true paleological fashion, I noted
that each part anatomically fit perfectly, indicating that they surely must
have shared origins.
I suspect this specimen confirms our worst fears: there really was a
breeding pair. I hereby resolve to take steps to eradicate the species at
every instance possible... He said, rubbing his hands in glee.
Chris A
