My faithful readers will recall that I am working on eradicating a yellow jacket nest. I'd left a couple of holes, and was waiting each day for sunshine to see if they come out or if they are gone. One morning, I peeked out into the nest and spotted a blue-spotted salamander. It was a good size, and I hauled it out. It was pretty cold overnight and they are cold-blooded, needing external heat. I put it in the garden, under some leaves. It was gone when I checked later.
It was even cool enough that the cats elected to go back to bed.
There is lots of action outside. Everything is pairing up! cowbirds
The woodpecker is creating a home.
woodpecker from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
I continue to be less than pleased with this trailcam. I didn't spend enough money on it! The thing is meant for larger animals, I suspect. I've spent a week tweaking it. ducks on pondAs always, I've selected the best still for each thumbnail, but the action is what I find fun!
JB spotted a pair of muskrats last week. I found a lone one in the frogpond. It'd be great if they moved in. Last time they did, they had 6 kits, and cleared out all of the phragmites! muskrat Apr 16We are now in a new lockdown. If you are stopped by police you must give your home address (which is on our driver's licence), can get a $750 ticket for breaching rules, and refusal to comply can result in charges. The police in several cities are saying they aren't going to randomly stop people.
We must stay home, but to go to work, get childcare, exercise, get groceries, go to school, walk the dog, get medical treatment, is all OK. Sigh. I'll keep you posted.
For more critters:
Hello.
ReplyDeleteLovely videos.
Thank you.
Wow, they are serious about the lockdowns. The Covid cases are on the increase again, sad to see these high numbers again. The salamander is cool, great sighting. Neat capture of the coyote. I like the bunny too. We get our second vaccine shots the last week of April. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post! Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
ReplyDeleteInteresting activities! I liked the woodpecker's nest building video, the ducks and of course the bunny.
ReplyDeleteCan't meet in parks but can go to church.
ReplyDeleteOn the whole, I get the tight rules. People are dumb and go too far otherwise, like the times we have encountered people socializing on boardwalks.
But it will be hard on Danica who was to have her second birthday without her friends and now can't even have cake with her grandparents.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like our lockdowns... Chad Coyote looks to be in pretty decent condition - not unfed, I would suggest! YAM xx
I so enjoy your newsy posts, Jenn. I can't get over how big your granddaughters are getting...we watch them grow it seems. Lucky to spot a salamander...I see about one a summer. We've had turkeys lately but no deer. The same birds as you mention. We both have our vaccines but discouraged about this new lockdown. I feel like a bird in a gilded cage, if you know what I mean. I really shouldn't complain.
ReplyDeleteAt least you have plenty of critter company to keep you entertained during a lock down. I'm afraid another lockdown here would result in mass rebellion and even more senseless violence.
ReplyDelete...I haven't see a salamander in ages, thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if the amount of traffic in the city goes down. It has been really heavy the last few weeks.
ReplyDeleteCats set a good example: get more sleep.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that covid and it's variants have got away on us.
ReplyDeletelove the little salamander. One we don´t have. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd your videos are nice as always. .)
What a lot of fun it must be to gaze outdoors with your trail cam. You have so many interesting critters out there.
ReplyDelete