Wetland walk

 It's not really walkies without a cat. The snow is too deep for Cinnamon, although it's been warmer. I forgot my scarf, and my gloves don't match, but I managed. I have another black and gray pair that match. Somewhere!

There are lots of deer beds in the snow. 

The wetland is rough walking. Durn good exercise, though! I followed the deer trails, but there are two problems with that:

1) They have skinny legs and my snowshoes don't fit into their trails.

2) They are on all fours and I keep having to duck under branches!

It's tricky, as my glasses used to protect my eyes, and I have to be careful. 

I have more evidence of LDD moths. There are many egg casing on the trees. What they tell me are the ones higher up will be killed if not at the base of the tree, perhaps covered in snow? I am hopeful, as it is a chilly -34 C.

You can see the egg casings all over the tree, and up high on the branches. It is terribly disturbing, and I've been trying not to think of it, but I have to be mentally prepared.

I hope this fine tree manages in spring. 

Here is trailcam #1. 

It's all about layers!

My boots got fairly snowy. I put them on the heater and had a nice hot shower. This morning, when I had to put out the garbage in the cold and dark, they were toasty warm!

Yard work!

 

 First, a non-critter tale. Poor JB had the dropsies last week. He broke two dishes. One was a spoon rest. He ordered a new one from Amazon. It arrived. The box was empty! How weird is that?!

Amazon was no help. He phoned Mikasa. They wanted details of his order, date, order #, etc., which I screen captured for him and sent it in reply. 

Mikasa got back to us the next day and we got our replacement in a week!

LDD moths

I spent some time with my spruce tree. Beginning with the heavy sheers, that was a failure, back to the garage. I tried the long heavy lopers, but they were too heavy and useless, even after sharpening them. 

I tried my dad's old hedge clippers, stopping to sharpen THEM, not strong enough. Finally, I used the long-handled grass clippers. 

Before and after:

The moths are mating, and while I can't scrape eggs off of all the trees on our 16 acres, I could do some. 

After the caterpillar stage, they pupate and change into male and female moths. The females are whiter, and don't fly. The males are a dirty beige colour. 

The females are laying eggs in the crook under the tree branch. Also, on the underside of my spruce. It was awful, really. I fetched some soapy water and scrape it all into the can.

I spotted a monarch chrysalis under a branch of the spruce. Then, I lost it. I kept clipping, and found it again. By now my legs were pretty sore, up and down the ladder. 

Out and about

I saw a cicada on the lower deck. Once, I snapped a photo of a pair mating!

Also, the wood frogs are out of the pond and in the woods.

The goldfish pond now has two green frogs. There are three water lilies, as well. I am so pleased. I even counted all 5 fishies. 

Saturday's Critters

 We've our grandkids here all week (Week 33!). We took them to Stewart Park. I noticed all the LDD moths mating and laying eggs in Stanley Park.

They are everywhere, flying all around the trees. I hope their cycle is nearly done. LDD moths  

I peeked out at the robin's nest, and they are growing. I'd cleaned the window a bit. Mom flew off, and I opened the door quickly to grab a photo with the flash on.

Before they went home for the week Friday afternoon, I let the girls hold a baby robin for a moment.

Momma and Poppa watched carefully. They've been snagging a lot of moths, bless their little hearts.

Clover, the doe! Doe x 3  

 

The poor thing, with deerflies on her face. doe a deer  

 

Saturday's Critters #396 <= visit Eileen's critters. Thanks for hosting!