Showing posts with label cowbirds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cowbirds. Show all posts

Saturday, 17 April 2021

Saturday's Critters

 My faithful readers will recall that I am working on eradicating a yellow jacket nest. I'd left a couple of holes, and was waiting each day for sunshine to see if they come out or if they are gone.  One morning, I peeked out into the nest and spotted a blue-spotted salamander. It was a good size, and I hauled it out. It was pretty cold overnight and they are cold-blooded, needing external heat. I put it in the garden, under some leaves. It was gone when I checked later.


It was even cool enough that the cats elected to go back to bed.


There is lots of action outside. Everything is pairing up! cowbirds 
 


Chad coyote  is on his own, mind you. At least he didn't pee on camera this time!
 

 

The woodpecker is creating a home.

woodpecker from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I continue to be less than pleased with this trailcam. I didn't spend enough money on it! The thing is meant for larger animals, I suspect. I've spent a week tweaking it. ducks on pond  

 

As always, I've selected the best still for each thumbnail, but the action is what I find fun!

JB spotted a pair of muskrats last week. I found a lone one in the frogpond. It'd be great if they moved in. Last time they did, they had 6 kits, and cleared out all of the phragmites! muskrat Apr 16  
 


Finally, to make you smile, the bunny bounced by. "Quick and sprightly," to quote Isabelle!
 

We are now in a new lockdown. If you are stopped by police you must give your home address (which is on our driver's licence), can get a $750 ticket for breaching rules, and refusal to comply can result in charges. The police in several cities are saying they aren't going to randomly stop people.
We must stay home, but to go to work, get childcare, exercise, get groceries, go to school, walk the dog, get medical treatment, is all OK. Sigh. I'll keep you posted.
For more critters: 

Saturday's Critters # 383

Wednesday, 14 April 2021

☂Spring Break – caregiving week 27! ⛈

 Monday's Activities

We were up at 6:30 a.m., having tucked girls in at 9:15 last night, we toodled off to bed ourselves. By 8:00 a.m., they arose. They had Plan A. They've a video to finish, then Jos offered to help with chores. I explained that since it is raining, and all the chores are outside, they were off the hook! Plan B, they'd finish the video, after breakfast, and then do some painting. I'd bought some on sale items from Michaels. 

I watched my morning show. They spoke of burnout. I get it. The province has announced that there won't be physical school after our week-long break. I'm really glad the girls have had some consistency at home and with us for virtual school. The poor parents. Too many don't have sick leave, some don't have caregiving options, either. Many low-income workers are at their wit's end.

Isabelle hustled downstairs to fetch her waffles from the very full, small chest freezer. She couldn't find them, back upstairs she came. I went down, and we lifted out one basket, and searched, lifted out the second basket to search under it, and nothing. Glancing at the basket we'd lifted out, there was the tell-tale logo of EGGO! Voila. We laughed so hard.

Breakfast done, Jos entered the living room, while Grampa was finishing his curling game. 

        "You gotta keep your head on your shoulders, Grampa!"

        "I appreciate that, very much!"

She headed downstairs to do her teeth – so Momma won't rip his head off! It's been a great joke. No nagging involved. 

Art

I found the tablecloth in the basement, once I remembered what I was looking for, and set it up on the bench in the Muskoka Room. Cinnamon, wisely staying indoors, was in there sleeping in the chair in the fresh air. The weather didn't look very good. Painting ensued. It was chilly in the Muskoka Room. They ran downstairs for sweaters.


Isabelle and I tackled the blind. I'd forgotten we had an indoor chore. It took us two days.

The rain stopped and Josephine asked for an outdoor chore. I suggested they take the white tree down. The tree is screwed into the bottom of the barrel.


Jos was barefoot, so Isabelle was in charge of taking the arms of the tree back to the shed! Then, Jos used the drill to remove the screws, Izzy ran the base down to the shed.

I rolled the barrel away, and we discovered an old nest in the upside down barrel. 

After chores they rested wrestled! 

Bird watching has been fun. A pair of cowbirds!

 

It's an unusual direction for the storm, and likely to rain most of the day. Usually our weather comes from west to east. It's such a shame for our spring break. 


Lunch for the girls was leftover pot pie (below, left). It wasn't bad. Isabelle paid homage to me mére, "She makes the best crusts, but this is pretty good!" There weren't any veggie leftovers, however. They were a hit, as well.

Iz and Jos were downstairs on their computers.  There is a fire going on this damp day. Isabelle came running upstairs, having paused their video, "I think there is a wasp!"

        "OK, grab the bug collector." 

It was a big wasp, and she ushered it outdoors, while I held the door for her. You'll recall the bee incident last year, where she got stung. [The Wasp Saga Part 2] She was quite brave.


Jos made guacamole. We didn't have cumin, and she didn't need a recipe, she improvised. Curry powder, minced garlic and lemon juice. Momma said that it's funny that they didn't used to like it. Now they make it. 

We put an avocado pit in a glass. Another is for seeds. 


Both girls helped tear down the white Christmas tree. Jos had bare feet. It's 11 C. outdoors! It was shower night!  

Wood in, fire on, and movie and snack time. They had a bowl of the guacamole, with a bowl of salsa, and whole wheat scoops. The lasagna took a long time, I'm glad I had them snack! It was another FAMILY SIZE order mistake. Happily, they had leftovers the next day for lunch!

The crows  have been busy, and I'm sure they are thinking of building a nest in the pine tree.


This dude on the red motorcycle  is driving too fast. He does this all the time.  I wanted to capture him on video.