We went looking for otters! Part I

 We were on a mission Friday, March 24, to reprise the trip where we spotted the river otters. We visited them in 2013,  River, Otter and Canada Geese photos] It was the day we saw the Skootamata River - bridge and roadside memorial near Tweed. Then, again, Friday, March 11th: a quest (2016), as we tried to find the spot again. Back in those days, I didn't take photos of the GPS to ensure we could find our way back to a great location. That said, we had a plan. Friday morning did not bode well. It was a pretty sunrise, with nice colours. Fortunately, it cleared up.

We passed Ian Millar's property, we are neighbours of sorts. You can see the snow cover is slowly melting. The Millar's have had a tough time, as Ian's son, Jonathon, had a horrific fall in Florida while competing March 12th. He has been in an induced coma since. They are doing a fundraiser, as there are medical costs. We have been involved with them in the gun range issue, since the proposed gun range is near this field. As if the family needs any more issues. We are hoping for an end to that shortly. 

UPDATE: "Currently, Jonathon is off of all sedation, breathing on his own and in stable condition. He is showing promising signs communicating with facial expression and hand signals. Each day getting stronger and stronger. "

I noticed a crew working on the posts. It has to be a big project. There are lots of posts missing along the highway. 

I liked this little spot, an island in the river. 

This seems to be a renovation, as the basement looks like older brick.

This was a bit of a mystery. They spray brine in anticipation of freezing rain. We've had enough of that.

You may laugh, but seeing the rocks is amazing. 

This rock, in the middle of the pond, show how high the water can get. We'll see what the spring freshet brings.

The large beaver ponds are still frozen on top (above), but the rivers and streams are moving.

Notice the turtle fences↓!

There are lots of beaver dams and muskrat pushups. I've a better one from another season. Someone likes a joke. 

Notice the tornado damage. More on that another day. I feel badly for the people in Mississippi with the huge impact of those tornadoes, loss of life and property.

We passed by this spot coming and going. The first drive-by photo wasn't great, but gives you an idea! It really made me smile. 

We were headed to the Skootamata River. This place, Black River Trading Company, is unique. More later!

I'll stop here. Hubby always likes to see my photos to remember where we've been! Saturday we had snow, ice rain, rain and more snow. It has since melted, although we've still snow cover. Sunday, today, more snowy rain. Lots of people without power due to the winds. 

Saturday's Critters

 The birds are coming back! Starlings, red-winged blackbirds, grackles, robins, vultures, and someone on Facebook has heard a timberdoodle, too! 

 

Sometimes the robins hang around for the winter, but not this year. 

The male cardinal has been singing his spring song, as well. We had two pair, but I think we are down to one. The male keeps coming to the window, attacking his own reflection. The cats love it!

I shall start with the hopes of spring. Friday morning, I stood on the back deck and heard the robin singing for love! They've been around a few weeks, but the songs... 💕

robin on the driveway from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

It's tough navigating on the slushy snow.

doe from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Butch raccoon is hot to trot!

butch raccoon from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The crows hang out with the deer. The crows have been quite active and vocal, it is their mating season.

  

crows & deer from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Down in the forest, a fisher.

 

fisher from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We are looking to ice pellets or snow, rain after midnight. I set up the rain barrel, hoping to fill the goldfish pond. I may regret that! We shall see.

Thanks to Eileen for hosting faithfully. Saturday's Critters # 484

We made it to Friday!

We drive by this place a lot. It was up for sale, but did not sell. Now they are going to renovate the old buildings. It's a little pricey!

Repairs for only $1.4 billion!

It is an amazing facility. It was creepy driving by when we first travelled this route.

They did work on it, extending it on the upper left, and adding something secret behind those tall gates!

Once, when we drove by, I could see the special forces with the dogs. That got my attention! They were all staring at us! 

OK, some self-deprecating humour. Do you remember chair socks? I spotted them on Kay's blog post, and ordered some. It's been a while. Ours were covered in cat fur. It was time to wash them. It occurred to me to put them in a laundry bag, but I did not. Rookie mistake.

Do you know what happens when you wash them in an LG machine? They get caught in the little groove in the bottom. Six of them were hiding there, soaked, and I had to re-rinse them. I laughed so hard.  😅

Clever me 😉, I decided to keep on cleaning. It was time for the oven. Why not put them on top of the stove to dry?! I shall tell you. One melted on the back burner. Man did it stink. Glad I kept checking on them.

We had some air traffic yesterday, as President Biden is finally visiting. First, a Canadian plane. Then the 'no call sign' plane. As if no one knows whose it is!

On the ground they have been preparing.

NOW, the city figures out
how to block undesirable traffic!

But, back to nature. Fuzzy has been a busy fawn! 

Cinnamon was watching, got bored!

Up the hill, across the gully, can you see them? There are three sleeping, chewing their cud.

A sign of spring. You can see the grass in spots. I looked more closely under the silver maple tree.

You can see the daffodils starting up. It is a beginning!

And the tulips, just under the front deck! We've a microclimate here, facing south.

Indoors my orchid has a sunburn on the lower left leaf. I should have been watching it better. My bad.

I spotted a turkey vulture last weekend. Spring is here! (Old photo, as it was way up high!)

feeding time from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Everyone gets a mouthful.