Black Squirrels, Bullfrogs, Goldfish

 We are officially in Autumn, meteorological fall. The autumnal fall is officially Sept. 22. Close enough! 

The light levels are interesting.

We've two black squirrels now. They were arguing over food. We released three in June. Crumbly Acres Squirrel Release!

They wasted time fighting! I imagine this is two of the three we released. They are more bold than #75 was.

The Rose of Sharon is in bloom.

We have two ponds. The goldfish pond I hand dug. And the vernal frog pond. 

The news is the fishies are in from the goldfish pond. First job was to move the two bullfrogs to the frog pond. They were quite happy to jump in. I spotted a painted turtle a few days ago. It is a great pond. 

LEMME OUTTA HERE!

He is a big one!

The frog pond is quite full this year, with all our summer rain. In August we had 141 mm. In September, we're only up to 25 mm. I did water the front garden, with my new plants.

My second task was to drain the goldfish pond. Cinnamon helped. 

I spent some time digging out the sapling, as I found that one wall has collapsed. Cinnamon christened the hole for me. I chased him off. 

I'm not sure what I'll do. I'd like to fix it, but need to figure out a plan.

Once I got the water level down this far, it took time to get the fish out. The more you fish for them, the wilier they get.

 

That task is done!

Fall chores & Türkiye

 Yes, Autumn is here! 🍁Fall Chores are underway. 

I was up at 6 a.m., checking out back, I heard geese coming!

The fish tank is ready. I run the hose from out back, directly into the tank. Then I vigilantly check for leaks. None found. 😊

 

Next job is to drain the goldfish pond in order to catch the fishies. I try to plan this just before a rain storm to fill the tank up again. Otherwise, the water lilies could be damaged in the air. The pond fills via the water barrel, fed by the eaves downspout.

It is a dance!

¯\_(^‿^)_/¯ 

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 ((((/\/\))))

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As I have said, the critters are preparing either to migrate, hibernate, or are fattening up for winter. Barry Beaver is back at work.

Fred is fattening up... 

The cats are happy with indoor play. Little Nutmeg won the top bunk. She gets so mad when he's up there first. She leaps before she looks, and meets him up top, then jumps down. 

This is a big one! 

Meantime, my son-in-law and his two friends, have been enjoying his trip with his buddies! They are now in the Republic of Türkiye.

These are where people would shelter from invaders. The rock would be pulled in from of the tunnel.

Our Prime Minister

We look for humour in these situations.

Our PM!

That's pretty funny.

[image or embed]

— 1gypsy (🎵I/me/me/mine🎵) 🦋 (@theonegypsy.bsky.social) September 18, 2026 at 9:49 PM

But he is an experienced, well-educated economist.  

@ctvnews PM Carney says ‘it wasn’t tough to draw the red line’ with the U.S. and says more income support will be available amid the new tariffs. #newsstories #canada #carney ♬ original sound - CTVNews

Saturday's Critters

 What a week. Garden tear downs, indoor plants inside from their outside summer days. 

The critters are on the move.
The trailcams are susceptible to the cool nights and the condensation.

   

 The fox is going to run out of frogs soon. They will hibernate in the wetland.

   

 Then there is coyote. Here it was near Barry Beaver's wetland. 

   

 A young buck in the same location. 

   

 We've a doe around. Soon it'll be mating season for fawns born in spring. 

   

 Fred is still coming out in the afternoons, in the warmth of the sun.

 

Visit more critters at: Saturday's Critters # 666.

Frogs, toads, and katydids

The day begins.

Soon they shall sleep. Here are the two bullfrogs in the goldfish pond. I'll have to move them soonish.

Our bullfrog is growing, despite its left eye. 

His buddy is a bit larger.

Last year, I snapped a photo of the bullfrog catching ants. Isn't that an impressive tongue?!

Can you see the tree frog on the wall?!  Grand little bug eaters. Adorable, too!

It seems we have a resident garden toad! Still here.

Baby Katydid, looks more stirking in the shade than in the sunshine.

A nymph vs. adult, they have fulfilled their life cycle this year!

I was reading on the back deck, and noticed a toe biter!