Saturday's Critters

Our nesting season is winding down. I know they often have 2nd broods, but usually not near the house! Robins have fledged. House Wren is still doing his/her thing in the Bluebird nest box. 

In fact, they've begun filling up another nest box on the house, for no apparent reason. I was stirring my stir fry yesterday, and could see it coming in for landings! Later that stick disappeared, and there was a stick sticking out of the green nest box.

I wanted to use my snake scope (AKA endoscope) to peek in the nest, but the app I was using (Quicky) doesn't work with my updated OS on my laptop. I cannot find another app to work with it, either. I am so disappointed.

The ducks have jumped. I have tried for years to photograph the wood ducklings jumping out of the nesting box. I have totally given up. I did not want to peek or bother them too much, which is what we are taught at project nestwatch. It is impossible with the speed of the little critters to capture them on trailcams meant for big game hunters. I only spotted them once, which was a fluke, as I visited the nest site one afternoon.

wood duck nest from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We've had some good rains. Can you see the tree frog? Down at the bottom of the railing, a little gray lump. It insists on sitting here after its nocturnal work is done. It's been several days now. It'll sit there all day. Just a hoot. When the rain began it headed for a safer spot. 

Phoebe is due to fledge. Any second. I don't need any special equipment to capture them! When we took in our grandies during Gramma Camp and virtual school, I let them hold them once, for the experience.

The forest is miserable with mosquitoes. I haven't seen the bears, they've settled into their summer habitat and mating season is done.

Butch continues to do raccoon things. You can see it at 4 a.m., and then, as dawn approaches the Robins wake up and sing!

 

Butch and birdies from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Coyotes visit the odd time. He chose to make his mark. He shakes off the mosquitoes.

 

coyote from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I put down the last of the cracked corn, just to get rid of it for the summer. Blond Butch and the crows managed to share. It's fun watching them lobby her. If you don't have time to watch, I used the best thumbnail from the video with her sitting on her haunches keeping watch.

 

Butch & the crows from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I have yet to see any fawns this year. The bugs are atrocious (have I mentioned that yet 😜) and it is no wonder. Here is a doe.

 

doe a deer from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

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Saturday's Critters # 443