Sunday 8 November 2015

Hello pseudo-Springtime: bugs, frogs and snakes!

Daisy had three more ticks, I squish them in between the backs of my thumbnails if I am outdoors. Dratted things. That's 94 this year.

Daisy and I had another project, Thursday, putting the green frogs into the larger frog pond, taking them out of the goldfish pond that freezes. Unfortunately, by the end of another warm day, Friday, I counted 13 more! I gave up!



We moved 8 frogs together on Thursday, Nov. 5th. They see me coming, now. Daisy is helpful, too. Not much, seriously. They see HER coming and dive deep!


Daisy catch & release from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

This golden rod had several critters. VERY late in our season.
 

 Then, walking across the backyard Friday, I found a Northern Ribbon snake. You can ID them from the white crescent in front of their eyes. Not great photos, as I took them with my video camera, but a lovely moment with a sweet critter.


I love watching their tongues!

Northern ribbon snake from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
How extraordinary to see it on Nov. 6th!

Then, Saturday morning, I was surprised that a doe and her twins were cleaning up under the bird feeder. We had frost that night, but the sun was out and it warmed up! Then, momma left, twin #1 followed right away, #2 took its time but ran over as they dipped down behind the shed, toward the wetland.

8 comments:

Powell River Books said...

Looks similar to a garter snake. We have two kinds of those out here. If I were a frog I would dive deep if I saw Daisy coming. My only frog is a painted rock variety so no moving is necessary. But I do see he needs a repaint in places, wind and rain have taken their toll. - Margy

William Kendall said...

The snake is quite a critter. I've seen deer doing that under the feeders at my parents' old place in Muskoka during the winter.

Out To Pasture said...

Your Northern Ribbon is quite elegant. Pulled another tick off my cat, Ellie Mae, this morning. I've removed four within the past few weeks -- all between her shoulder blades. Has the Fluoxetine kicked in to calm Buster yet?

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Those are smart frogs diving when they see the cat. Wow, you do have a tick problem. I'm told that chickens eat ticks maybe you need to add to your animals you take care of.

Red said...

You are reporting pleasant warm weather, but did you get the windstorm? I keep wondering why the frogs are so dumb as to freeze in the goldfish pond. They must know something we don't.

Linda said...

The snake is cute, actually (and I have never said this about a snake before). Your photos are lovely. :)

Nancy J said...

Snake holding,you are so brave. Lots of work with relocating frogs before winter, down here the goldfish are OK, as the pond doesn't freeze all over, we just have to worry about herons or kingfisher birds getting a feed.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Craziness that weather! Daisy really isn't terribly much help on that project is she? It is a good thing for her that she is so beautiful and such good company. In this case, who cares whether she is a good worker or not ;>)! The snake is kind of pretty. (I'm not scared of them either.)