Autumn is creeping in

Reptiles and Amphibians 

I think there is some misunderstanding about toads. They are good little bug eaters, as are all of reptiles and amphibians. I need to do the lawn, but it is filled with leopard frogs, and baby snakes looking for crickets. Toadie is still living in the front garden, found in the sand right near Fred's burrow #6A. 

I found a Blue-spotted Salamander when I moved a piece of wood. I haven't seen one in ages. 

This photo is from 2011. They get to be quite big. All part of the ecosystem.

Monarchs

The front garden is beginning to fade. Milkweed is losing its leaves. It still has Tufted Milkweed caterpillars on it. 

There are several Monarch caterpillars around, so I cannot clear up yet.

The Freds

MiniFred is getting chonky. This will tide him over winter. You can't tell by his head as he peeks out.

Auntie Fred is about the same size, being less then a year apart in age. She was born in Spring, 2025. He was born this Spring. Some of us have to grow up quickly!

I managed another photo with both Freds out at the same time. MiniFred peeking out of his burrow. Auntie Fred in the shadows in front of the shed. Can you see them?

Cinnamon

He either follows me around the garden while I work, or hunkers down on a chair, or atop the BBQ when I read in my chair. My Cinnamon seems part dog!

We had about 10 mm rain yesterday. Indoor play. Hopefully, the sun shines and I can get out and about. I am watching the forecast for temperatures carefully. Soon the goldfish will have to come in.

Saturday's Critters

Change is in the air. The last of the August bloomers are in bloom. I find it tough to enjoy each moment, planning the garden clean up I will have to do. Thankfully, Fred is helping!

I heard, and have seen, a frequent flyer is the House Wren. They haven't nested here in a few years. One is hanging about, though. Eating all those bugs in the garden.

The ribbon snake has been out and about, also eating insects. Soon they will enter their hibernaculum. They spend winter underground.

The doe wanders in the forest.

   

 Fred is entertaining all of us. Cinnamon can't understand why he goes down in the hole! Cinnamon is fascinated with Fred. He's such a gentle cat. 

   

 There is one turkey ambling through the habitat. 

   

 Coyote have such beautiful colours! 

 

Saturday's Critters # 663 <= visit more critter posts.

Yard action: coyote sighting

I was sitting out back with Cinnamon, having a good read. I'd collected the trailcam footage. I love this strange way the light refracts. It looks like a UFO! 

There was some movement with the Freds. Both were at or near the shed burrow. This is unusual. They aren't good at sharing. I think Auntie Fred was in front, MiniFred whipped around into the wood shed. I think MiniFred is the dark brown behind Auntie.

Suddenly, Cinnamon alerted. He's my little guard cat!

I looked up, and there was a coyote trotting around the periphery of the back yard. It had come up the path from Barry's trailcam. (Still no sign of Barry!)  Cinnamon spotted it, as did I, trotting to the back here.  It veered left, and down in the gully.  Hmmmm.

I could hear the Robins up in the tree. They were yelling at the coyote, and following it. around the back. 

Cinnamon suddenly looked to the left. I looked, and spotted the coyote peering at us at the edge of the weeds, in back of the big pine in the spot of sunshine. It whipped around, ran back to the right, The Robins were still screeching at it and following! Coyote was too fast for photos.

The coyote followed the edge of the trees, and Cinnamon kept an eye out. 

Cinnamon followed it intently. Safely. From the deck.

This Fred didn't seem to notice. Not a good thing!

After I was sure it was gone, Cinnamon watched me as I trotted down to see if coyote was on the trailcam.

It sure was. The camera spooked it! I have proof! They really are wary of humans, and knew I was on the deck. All was good. I didn't see it again. Such beautiful creatures.

Deer, Fred, and Cinnamon

 Living in the middle of an ecosystem, habitat for many critters, I enjoy watching them. My parents were role models for retirement. They volunteered in a whole bunch of things. I cannot do that kind work any more. I volunteer one-on-one.  And my critters.

This is where Barry Beaver is doing his work. Ignore the time/date stamp. These were this week!

I do appreciate those not living in a wetland who enjoy my critters. It gives me joy. I looked out back, and spotted two deer. Don't zoom in. I was using the zoom, without my reading glasses, or the tripod! 😆

We tried watching tennis, but our Canadian players keep getting injured. I have theories about this: pushing too hard; going for speed, not finesse; too many tournaments. One family earned their trip to the Toronto women's tennis.

The flowers have been wonderful. The golden yellow is pretty, smooth oxeye I think.

I had two water lilies in bloom, this water lily is done, but another is on its way.

I love cloud watching. August has been dry in the past, but not this year! Saturday morning, the cats were roaring around at 5:30. I figured I might as well get up. 

I threw some cabbage out, knowing we wouldn't eat it. Fred devoured it.

   

 Fred has been busy. He's digging up sand from underneath the garden.

   

 Do you know how much cats like sand?!

 

Crumbly Acres bird song

Monday morning, I took out the garbage. It is a nice view.

I was greeted by a squadron of Cedar Waxwings.

This is what they love: the serviceberries.

These elms are fighting Dutch Elm Disease. The birds filled them.

Sound up for their chatter.

Joe went in to the 1st Anniversary of Perth General Store on Sunday. He brought me home some free lunch! 

On my way to check for storm damage, our doe.

I found myself another tick. 

 I hadn't seen The Freds since July 5th. This was my opportunity. July 6th I stained the middle deck. All went well. I didn't see any of them until July 7th. 

They have dispersed somewhat. They are solitary critters.

 I think I spotted Auntie Fred July 5th! I imagine them all out there digging burrows.

Cinnamon patrolled. The deerflies are bad. 

The Muskoka Room is the safest spot.

All Voices Community Choir

Caitlin is on her way home. The choir trip is over. She boarded in Zurich Wednesday morning our time, headed for Montreal. That's 8 hours! Then another flight to Ottawa. 

It was a wonderful trip, from all I have seen.

This is a video of their last concert! They performed with The Garfunkels at the Church of St. Catherine in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The best part was when the Canadian Ambassador to Lithuania announced herself as an alto with The Garfunkels! She later said that many diplomats end up joining choirs in Europe as it is a great way to make friends. Music really does bring people together!

All Voices Community Choir