Saturday 11 June 2022

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

18 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
The House Wren is a cutie, they are so loud and fussy. Love the deer video.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Tom said...

...I love your birdhouse!

Mae Travels said...

Jumping out of the nest is one of the oddest bird behaviors I've ever heard of, and the wood ducks that do it just fascinate me. I've never seen their nest but llike you, I would really love to get a look at this.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Jeanie said...

I wanted desperately to see my babies fledge but I missed them -- both the wrens and chickadees, although the wrens were seen dissembling their nest in the birdhouse and carrying the bits elsewhere, so maybe they're about somewhere. I love those sweet baby bird pix! (I'm afraid my critters this week are a weird looking squirrel, a bad pic of a 'possum and a happy cat!)

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
A delight, as ever! YAM xx

Anvilcloud said...

I have also lost the use of hardware when the OS was updated but the app wasn’t.

Barbara Rogers said...

As always, a most enjoyable post for me to wander about enjoying your environment and critters. Thanks!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I like Butch looking back at you! So we're not the only ones with mosquitoes although the flies bother me more than the mosquitoes! Happy weekend!

Olga said...

Aw, don't give up, please! You give us such an amazing glimpse of what might be happening when we aren't looking. Keep looking for us with those wood ducks.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I laughed at the coyote, who didn't seem to care who saw it go. Wonder what made the doe jump. She didn't take off far, at least. I don't think I've ever seen a tree frog before, but I love the photo of the hands holding a baby bird.

Nancy J said...

The crows must feel very safe to be so close to Butch, that pretty little face popping up, just checkin' in, folks, she says !!!

Gaelyn said...

Brave Ravens. Jumpy deer. Love the idea of a "snake scope" would it work on your phone or camera?

RedPat said...

So many baby birds are born at your place.

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Jenn, you have sown the seed for a snake scope :) I always find your posts so enjoyable. There is always something going on. Great as always!

Red said...

Our nesting season is still on the go . I have not seen any nestlings yet except for things on web cams.

DrumMajor said...

You have a busy forest and creature campus! Thanks for sharing, because I don't get to see such critters when living in the city. Linda in Kansas

William Kendall said...

Some of the mosquitos have turned up in the city.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I'm always amazed at your critters ( I know, I write that a lot). Love the deer, and the coyote. Also Butch.