Butch Raccoon visited

 I'm amazed that people have time to visit blogs. I've been sheltering in place! I do enjoy connecting with fellow bloggers. It makes my day. 

First, we had a snow storm Tuesday. JB went out and did the sidewalk. Twice! We are having a white Christmas.

I did the driveway once, just before dark. There was only about 4 cm at the time. It kept snowing!

Mid-October RVWS brought a dozen rehabilitated, orphaned raccoons for release. It was so much fun. There was a trio that stuck together through November. They've appeared on trailcams from time-to-time. 

There was plenty of food, until there was our cold December. They hunker down in the cold, don't truly hibernate. Safe in a tree in the forest. Until our recent melt. 

In our big melt, we had raccoon visitors. Hungry ones! 

Raccoons 1

   

 It's difficult to spot them until you see them moving. I was clued in as the pumpkins had been attacked! JB has been looking forward to these videos. They can get into trouble if you don't keep garbage secured, as well as bird seed. 

 

Something scared them and they ran up the tree. You can see their eyes reflecting the light.

 

One of them sounded the all clear, and they all came back down the tree quickly. This one decided to check out the water barrel!

 

I hope you had a good giggle. It's a busy time of year for many. A sad time for some as they miss family or friends, or old traditions. I hope I helped. 

Saturday's Critters

The 4-legged critters have been more difficult to spot in the daytime. Which is a good thing! We don't want the coyote, bears, fox, fisher, etc., hanging out here. The squirrels are a different story.

The tray catches a lot of spilled seed. As Mr. Cardinal can attest.

'Deer' feeder!

 

Coyote in the dark

 

More deer, a doe

 

Butch is up to something!

   

 This video 'thumbnail' shows Joe in the day time. Most of our critters appear in the dark. I wanted to paint a picture! You can see the coyote on the back lawn in the dark.

 

Saturday's Critters # 572 <= visit more critters at Eileens meeting place.

Camera Critters

I'll be happier when we settle into Spring-like temperatures. The critters think it is Spring, but we expect snow tonight, with a cold front coming in. 

Butch has woken from its slumber, and was cleaning up under the feeders.

Butch raccoon from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

You know it is spring when the turkeys get excited! 

We have had 6 turkey hens on a regular basis. On Thursday, March 24th a male appeared. JB called me to the kitchen window. He seemed to like this harem, and was on full display. On Friday, there were two toms, as well as the 6 hens.

 

Tom Turkey from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The song sparrow continues to celebrate spring. I sat on the front deck, watching spring unfold.

 

song sparrow from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

This is nothing new, deer in the forest, but I liked the way the setting sun shone on them. The little one nibbled on a sapling. They will be happier when they've more greens to eat.

 

forest deer from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

For more critters: Saturday's Critters # 432!

Butch is awake!

The weather continues to mystify! Warm, above zero days, followed by -6 C. nights. The next day, above zero! Today is supposed to be 8 C., tomorrow, 9!

I spend my days sweeping water off of the sidewalk, or chopping the ice, so we don't slip on the walk or driveway. It melts daytime, freezes in the nighttime. My arms are getting buff!


We had lunch in Almonte, and were treated to sunshine songs.
Starlings in Almonte from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

But see who lurks in the night.


I heard something, and knew right away what it was! They figured out the cat door. We've had quite a few over the years. This is our original, lactating Butch.

He came in through the cat door. Left through it, slowly, as well! I knew this time was coming. I locked the cat door closed.
Butch raccoon from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
He fed her!  A SURE sign of spring mating behaviour.
 
Cardinals from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.