Summer unfolds

Things are lively here, despite the heat. We've had our fair share of rain, which is a good thing. July has various levels of rain over the years.

First Monarch caterpillar I have spotted! 

I'd neglected to take a photo! Souvenirs from Caitlin's trip to the Baltics. A lovely amber butterfly and chocolate biscuits from Zurich! 

 The Freds have settled in with Auntie Fred at the shed, and MiniFred elsewhere! 

Fred likes the deck burrow.

 

Look who is visiting at night. Red fox.

Turns out MiniFred has been working on Burrow #6A! In the corner of the house. 

 

I tipped the camera down to capture the action. Joe was sitting on the deck, and Fred kept working!

Barry Beaver

 Down I went. The latest tree to fall in the July 1st storm is dying. Barry has been whittling away at it. 🦫 

You should see me climbing over the tree trunks to get to the camera! This was me leaving. I suppose it is good exercise.

 

I looked down at the wetland, and could see the invasive European frog bit growing over the open water. I couldn't see any evidence of Barry. 

And then I realized why! He has been here, but the frog bit fills back in around him.

Barry Beaver's Videos

The day before this visit, Barry was in the water and slapped his tail on the water. This day, he was perfectly silent. A bit agitated with me there, but no tail slap. 

A family visit!

I was doing gardening and found a wee bird's nest on the ground. I imagine a hummingbird or red-eyed vireo. It's so small. 

 

My theory of the perpetrator, AKA the culprit who was knocking over my plants left evidence! 

They left paw prints. Butch Raccoon for sure!

 

They even did a number on Emily and her Lobelia. I replanted it. Sigh.

The kids came over for a sleepover Friday, July 24. Aster plugged in the car. Aster has just begun in-car driver's ed!  The in-class sessions are finis.

Dinner was fun. Sausages in a bun, corn from down the road, birthday cake! Caitlin had brought souvenirs from her trip. Grampa was given a Lithuanian cap.

We have jokes. The year Jordan turned 15, I made a mistake and thought he was 16. Since then we always add a year to the birthday.

She is actually turning 47!

 

I gave Caitlin her birthday present, even though her birthday isn't until Aug. 16th. You never know what they will be up to next month.

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Aster was given a few items to celebrate summer. Another joke, 'beer and chips' is what Grampa always says we used to give the grandies. 

It is tiger lily season. The hummingbirds adore it.

Aster did a photo reprise!

Saturday morning the kids went swimming! Back home, we were told it was a great time swimming. Aster drove there! 

Then it was time to go home. But first, the family made a visit to the candy store, and a visit to Stewart Park for old times sake. Grampa used to take the grandies there during Gramma Camp.

Jordan is doing well, working in a grocery store stocking shelves. He is in heaven. He's quite the organiser.

Saturday's Critters

🦊 That was an afternoon. As promised, there was drama. Joe Brian and I were sitting on the back deck. A perfect day. Not too hot. We'd seen Auntie Fred at the shed.

Before I go on, you can see the trailcams on the stand, lower left of the photo↓. They failed to pick up the excitement.

I looked up, and there was a fox running across the yard, from near dark part of the forest towards the flag pole garden, where Fred has a burrow. I've heard there is a momma fox with kits.  Foxie moved behind the garden, and I couldn't see her. I should have gone to the other end of the deck. There she was under the trees!

CAN YOU SEE HER? The iPhone I have isn't the greatest for photos.

It wasn't over, though. I could hear MiniFred just down the gully, beyond the fox. She was not amused. The fox appeared back on the hill. MiniFred whistled at her again. And we didn't see another thing. 

Remember the two trailcams in the second photo above? Nothing on either one of them. I was really ticked off. Here is a fox from my files. Narrows Lock Rd, with a snack in its mouth.

The fox is a regular. All my fox videos.

More often than not, I see her on the driveway trailcam. July 21st.

Here she is in the night. In the rain. I believe Fred is diurnal. She was out of luck.

   

 She likes the driveway! 

 

Saturday's Critters # 658 Visit Eileen's blog.

Auntie Fred & MiniFred

 The first part of my day involves checking out the back deck. My ritual. This morning it was coffee while downloading trailcam images remotely. Coffee in hand. 

The other is checking blog comments! I really appreciate your visits. 

@Val: We have people coming Aug. 6th to clear up the tree debris. 

@Red: this is the 2nd brood for Phoebe. We have a wee army of bug eaters.

I don't know why I can't learn my lesson! It wasn't the cats. I am certain it is Butch Raccoon! Is this the 3rd time?! Sigh. I had a piece of wood on top of the bucket, since Cinnamon keeps drinking the stinky plant water. 

Last night's dinner was good. Actual home grown cherry tomatoes with broccoli. I was able to eat a pork chop. My jaw was sore, as I haven't been chewing much. But I'm nearly there. All roasted on a chilly day.

But the star of my blog post is an exhausted Fred. 

Auntie Fred, from last year's brood, has settled in at the shed burrow. Again. Grooming is important!

I found a memory card under my chair. It's been there since late May! (Don't judge me!) It had on it Momma Fred. I think Momma Fred was taken by coyotes in June. Auntie Fred is one of her offspring from last year. 

MiniFred is still about. Up and down the driveway... which isn't the safest place. 

 

She's been sharpening her teeth on the deck. Seriously! Sound up. You can hear her.

 

I have a fox tale for tomorrow. Stay tuned!