Saturday's Critters

 We've had two Labbit cottontails, and yesterday afternoon two Fred groundhogs! 

I went walkies and when I came up from the wetland, maybe a red-tailed hawk?

hawk Apr 25 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

It seems to match my archival photo!

The birds have been busy. I haven't seen any turkey groups

turkey time from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Dratted Red Squirrel:

drs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Silly Clover 2, eating my plants.

 

Morning deer from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Three bucks turned up later, covered in burrs.

Down at the frog pond... the water is seething with mosquito larvae. It is a blessed time until they emerge in clouds.

 

mosquito larvae from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I remember this tree falling over. Butch quite liked it. It just doesn't lead anywhere!

Butch on pond from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The coyotes are on the move.

coyotes Apr. 21 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Saturday's Critters # 541  <= for more critters.

What a strange season!

First, the proposed gun range <= details since Sept., 2022.

There is another article out on the gun range battle. What upsets me is that the OPP aren't rebuilding the gun range, they are to decontaminate it and put the land back to the way it was, a quarry.

Apparently our township is now headed to the Superior Court of Justice. "...he is seeking a declaration that a gun range use is a legal non-conforming use on his property." And it is not. More months of waiting, more tax dollars going to lawyers for something few of us want. Our Barb spent hours and hours getting petition signatures of 500 residents who are against this. It'd be nice if the courts awarded costs to the township when he loses. 

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Most of the deer have gone into the forest. There is grass growing and tree buds are bursting with goodness, food is bountiful. That said, this little one seems to have taken Clover's place in our garden. Clover was fond of my front garden. Clover 2 was going after my primroses out front. I love nature!

Joseph Brian went out front to hustle her off. I'll have to put up the deer fence around the garden sooner rather than later. She didn't really listen to him!

We drove through town and I grabbed a photo of the new build. They are $2300/month. Not affordable for many. 

The critters in our backyard have laid low, at least the mammals. The birds have been active! The flickers are still hanging around debugging the yard!

Thursday afternoon, Fred made an appearance. He tolerates us, but is quite wary. He nibbles away on the green grass.

Friday morning was a tad chilly. It was zero ℃! 

Thursday afternoon the daffies were happy! By Friday morning they were frosty and droopy. 

Friday morning, out came the cottontails in the frost. 

It's cold on Crumbly Acres!

 It was a day on Crumbly Acres! Our silly Shaw satellite TV isn't working in the workout room in the basement. It took me a half hour on the phone with the technician, unplugging, replugging, moving the box, until he determined that there is something wrong with the cable. They are sending someone today between 8 and noon. Good thing we are retired. 

I noticed a face in the trimmed pine tree out front. It made me laugh even as I cry at the storm damage. The poor tree is the one that lost a ton of branches in ice rain, heavy snow, and messy weather.

Good news. Joseph Brian had another good PSA test. I've been doing a graph! We are holding the metastasized cancer at bay. Plus, they only jabbed him once. He'll have his Lupron injection next week. 

The day began with 11mm (1/2") rain and evolved into graupel and snow. Eventually it cleared up and it melted. 

We took off to Carleton Place. I had a haircut, and JB dropped me off to go shopping. It is a relaxing spot, except for the dude sitting there playing loud YouTube videos. This is my before.

This is the after. Not radically different! In the days when I went out to work 5 days a week, I was better at doing makeup. I wore my brand new dress. Too cold without leggings!

It is a pretty spot.

From there we went to Smiths Falls for dinner. 

I have leftovers!

At home we were happy to see Fred Groundhog out and about. His burrow under the deck must have dried out. I think it has been too cold for him. He was standing up looking for trouble, his little paws hugged to his torso.

Another sunny but cold day! 

Spring is peeling open

Yes, spring is revealing layer after layer, slowly. It hasn't suddenly descended. A cold front is slowly leaving us, as many of you know.

windy afternoon from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Bryony, bless her little heart, was 6 yesterday. Our Vancouver grandies were in a Panto last winter. They were in a photo shoot for advertising for this year. Such fun!

 

Sunrise on Tuesday!

Song of the white-throated sparrow, "old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody!"

No sign of phoebe eggs yet! They've been really active here. This is last year's nest.

The poor rhododendron folds its leaves in the cold, then opens them when it warms up. 

Tuesday afternoon it was a balmy 16 ℃ then the clouds rolled in. It is still raining today. I am never going to get that water fountain cleaned up! I had a client yesterday, and it's been too cold up until then.

And still the Northern Flickers are hanging about this dead elm tree. I think they will nest here. 

They are the most beautiful birds. One flew into the window one day in 2012. I took the opportunity to take some photos. 

 The goldfinch is eating lilac seeds. It looked so proud of itself! 

It is pouring rain, and the daffodils are in bloom.  Fred popped out from under the shed Tuesday afternoon when it warmed up. He prefers fair weather!