Brookfield In Pictures: When The Forests Empty Into Your Backyard

BROOKFIELD, CT — The sperm whale is the State Animal of Connecticut, and that's about the only species that hasn't traipsed across the property of Patch reader Patricia Pers.

Bobcats, deer, wolves, a flock of turkeys and more have all checked in recently. Fortunately, she had her camera ready.

Connecticut is the 14th most forested state in the country, with woodlands covering over 60 percent of the state. So it should come as no surprise when some of that forest begins to back up into your backyard. When it does, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection hopes you will remember that it is illegal for any person, other than a state appointed rehabilitator, to care for wildlife.

DEEP maintains fact sheets for many species found in the state, online here, and guidance on what to do when you encounter a sick or distressed animal here.

To have your photos considered for a feature on Patch, send them to rich.kirby@patch.com. Be sure to include your name, town and subject matter. We're looking for high-resolution, horizontal "landscape" images that reflect the beauty and fun that is Brookfield.

Please submit only original photos that you have taken yourself and own the copyright to. By submitting your content to Patch, you are granting us the right to re-publish it on any and all Patch sites.