Sunday, 2 July 2023

Crumbly Acres flora and fauna

We had a storm go through yesterday. Happily it passed by the time the Canada Day stage show and fireworks were ready to go in Ottawa. They had fireworks on the lake a km away – I could hear them. At least we'd had rain.

Front yard
I was out front putting up my red ribbons for Canada Day July 1st, and spotted a Ctenucha Virginica on the coreopsis. 


🦌 Across the highway, a pair of deer were watching me hang ribbons. 


Back further, were our two bucks who hang out together. The long weekend traffic was awful. The stores were packed, according to JB, parking lots full.
 

deer june 30 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.


🐦 Can you see them? I could, sort of, against a smoky, cloudy sky. BIRDnet knew what I suspected. Three birds: Gray catbird, cedar waxwing, and brown thrasher. I think the thrasher landed on the hummingbird feeder, but it was quick.



The rose-breasted grosbeak likes the hummingbird feeder, as well. He's more of a frequent flyer!

rose-breasted grosbeak from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.


Front garden
In the front garden, evening primrose:


I have done pretty well plucking lily bugs off of the lilies. Can you see the second one hiding under the leaf? A snail watches.

The deerflies stick to my hat. So do the leaves!  Guinivere is astonished.


Backyard
Moving to the back, the pink Bridlewreath spirea and rose campion. 

I knew the House Wrens were about ready to go. You could see them in the port hole! 
 

house wren from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

After this they flew off. They took off into the forest, and have been hanging around the property. 

House wrens bushes from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.


I had to clean out the Bluebird nest box, well- christened by the House Wrens,  and a wee spider. I pulled all the sticks out. After I filled the water fountain, I rinsed it off with the hose as there were bugs and bird poop.

I think three of the four phoebe eggs have hatched.


8 comments:

Tom said...

...thanks for the tour!

Anvilcloud said...

We didn't get a ton, but the Cheeky Chippy in Almonte posted a photo showing a lot of water in their lot. Which reminds me that we should go again, assuming that the new owner has maintained high quality.

Barbara Rogers said...

Ah, the blessings of spring, early summer! Loved seeing the little birds! Beautiful flowers all!

RedPat said...

Summer at your place is wonderful.

Elephant's Child said...

I am so glad that you had rain, and loved the photos from your garden.

Red said...

Keen eye to find insects and know what they're doing. We should open our eyes to what's around us.

William Kendall said...

The storm hit in the city after I left the NAC. I caught a bus, otherwise I'd have come home drenched to the bone.

DeniseinVA said...

Loved each and every photo and video, so much nature which is always a pleasure to see. Isn’t the rose-breasted grosbeak a delightful bird? We had a female visiting for a while and I was always hoping for her mate to pop by but he never did. Maybe I will be lucky to see them both soon. Wishing you a super week!