Crumbly Acres Critters

 I like the change in seasons. The critters run around filling their faces and empty spaces. Things have hatched, matched and been dispatched, in our ecosystem. The circle of life continues, as well as the cycle of the seasons. Critters will bulk up their coats, birds will migrate, mammals will hibernate, estivate, or, like our faithful raccoons, will sleep in the deep cold, but otherwise attack bird feeders as best they know how.

I went down to trailcams and found a couple of deer and coyotes, more on those later. This red squirrel was quite belligerent. It was really giving me a lecture. I had to laugh at it. 

In May of this year, I caught Fred eating Emily's flowers. That was so funny! I haven't seen Fred since Aug. 21st. In 2022 (I tracked his appearances), Fred disappeared around Sept. 3rd. Maybe he's a tourist? I hope we see Fred again. 

An archived Fred ↓, or great-great-great-grandie Fred. They live 3 - 5 years, on average. I'm glad he doesn't winter under the deck. In spring melt, there is a pond under the deck.

We haven't seen the skunk since Aug. 23.

 

skunk from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

In the rain, triplets! They are frantically bulking up for winter, when food is scarce.

Triplet racoons in the rain from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Today, I expect our chrysalis to eclose. I am hoping to video it. Friday night, the kids are coming over and we are off to 2023 Fantasy in the Forest Saturday morning. JB and I visited in July. It was epic.