Tuesday 21 May 2019

How to make a cat collar, and other tails

Annabelle needed a collar as she is quite well-hidden from the birds when she nestles into dead foliage. This is what I did awhile back. My friend, Nancy, showed me how.

Buy a breakaway collar, sew a piece along the long edge, about twice as long x 6" wide, and put the collar inside. Easy peasy!




Hooper is the main culprit. It helps having him outdoors at night. Annie found a mouse in the basement. Hooper lost out with a mourning dove! (R = released!) I was at my client's house and her barn cat snagged a grouse. These are cats citiots have dropped off at her barn. Such a shame.


All about birds...

It's a busy yard. Just as I walked out, I spotted what I thought was a red-eyed vireo looking for a home. Later, after a great video, Bobb-ll Know ID'd it for me. A house wren. I've never seen one! They are wee, and aggressive. We'll see what shapes up here. Chickadees nested here one year.


It's a house wren.


This plant was a gift from Caitlin on Mother's Day!
hummingbird on fuschia from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The trailcam tales

The trailcam revealed the wood duck entering the nest #2 –on the far right. I've been trying to figure out a setting to capture the moment when the ducklings launch themselves out of the nest after the mom. Photos work best, as opposed to video. I think. Wish me luck! They only stay in the box for 24 hours, then they are off.


 See if you can count the eggs! When I took my stepladder, I think I counted 22. They could hatch Tuesday!
wood duck eggs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The meadow has been busy, as well. Bless their little hearts for eating the bugs. You can hear the peeps of the wood ducks. They make such a funny little noise!
Meadow magic from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The only other critters I've seen on the trailcam has been coyote. OK, Butch raccoon, and the scrawny bucks, but they are pretty regular.


The goldfish are doing well, despite the low temperatures. I checked it yesterday morning and it was only 6 C. Monday it was 10 C, and the fishies are merrily zipping about.


6 comments:

George said...

You've certainly captured a lot of wonderful photos and videos of the activity around your house. I hope you can capture some of the wood ducks when they leave the nest.

Nancy J said...

Annabelle looks so pretty with her collar, and you did some sewing!!! Just goes to show us gals can do anything. Hope it stays warmer for all the outside animals and fishies. Cool down here, fire is lit every night. The bathroom is coming along so well, I had a shower on Monday night!!!!! Now we have to wait several more days till the coats of paint are totally dry. Progress is happening.XXX

Gill - That British Woman said...

that's a neat cat collar and very bright.

Kathy G said...

The collar looks nice on Annabelle, but she does NOT look happy to be wearing it :-)

Angie said...

Jenn - you know I love nature, so this post was delight after delight for me! Well, except for the cat casualties … Good luck capturing the ducks fledging from the box!

William Kendall said...

The hummers are fun to watch.