Look who is back!

Normally the kits would run up to Momma Fred and they'd nuzzle noses. Not this time. It can't be momma Fred. 

 

 Last year's kit came back. The one who spent winter under the shed. At least I think it is her. I was watching from the deck. One miniFred ran out to see her, and got close, then ran away. 

I figure I'll call her 'big Fred' since she isn't a kit anymore, and is in her second year. 

The miniFreds are quite affectionate, and bonded. 

 I need to stain the middle deck to preserve it. I am going to have trouble with this! 

 

Everyone uses the stairs!

 

We had a massive storm go through. I've some images of some very wet groundhogs, who then look like muskrats. We had 21mm rain (nearly an inch) and things are soaked. 

Big Fred looks healthy, if damp.

Flowers, Freds

 I took the day off from outdoor work. Having been a couch potato most of the winter, it takes a toll! I had a volunteer gig, and it was good to get out. 

I changed my header to show the greens! And the lilacs.

The weather has been crazy with temperatures fluctuating. We have lots of wind from the north.

The highs have exceeded expectations, but overnight they said it'd be cold, i.e. 4 ℃. It was. It has been, for 3 days. 

I keep moving the flowers to the sun shine, and then bring them in the house over night. Basil, cherry tomato plants, and my Mother's Day gift of gorgeous-smelling petunias, all brought in over night.

More cherry tomatos (don't ask!) and the hummingbird fuschia are happy to be indoors.

I covered this planter with a blanket. 

Dratted Red Squirrel, DRS and Cinnamon's favourite critter to watch,  is undeterred. It has fur!

He sat there in the shade. 

Phoebe's 5 eggs have hatched. Fledging should be June 2nd. Non-mental note!

 

Our big news is that Momma Fred has at least 2 kits. They are born without fur, and spend some time in the burrow before emerging. 

Yam  had a good question: "As for the Freds, I also wonder if Mini has her own brood... or is supposed to have gone off independent and formed her own? "

It seems as if MiniFred is trying to come back home. She's only a year old, they can have a brood this early, but she is trying to visit the place where she was born...  That is my thought, as she keeps coming and going.

I spotted her on the driveway the other day. It happens from time-to-time. I don't think she'd leave kits if she had them. Momma Fred doesn't go far from the burrow.

 

Groundhogs are solitary. The only time I saw two here was on the videocam (April, 2024) there was a fight, or they mated. I didn't ask.

Momma Fred is vigilant. Last year coyote took 2 or 3 kits. Circle of Life. I don't think we'll be over run with groundhogs. I think MiniFred has a burrow across the highway. (What could go wrong?) 

Momma Fred and MiniFred

 I was standing on my driveway, taking a break from ditch diving, and spotted a groundhog running from the right to left across the highway. There were two cars oncoming, and another coming towards the critters. It made it, but I did startle. It was fast, but I did gasp.

BIG NEWS! 

We still have two Freds! I think Momma Fred is at the wood shed. She was doggy digging at the hole. The dirt was flying!  There will be a hill if I don't remove some of it!

FRED by the shed: 

MiniFred over the septic bed:

 Momma Fred is at the shed.

MiniFred was eating grass here.

Fred is excavating (renovating?) the burrow under the shed. I tossed the rocks away, as I am sure I don't want to run over them when I bring the lawn tractor out of the shed. 

April 2nd vs. April 24.

Clearly this is Momma Fred, with obvious teats.

More dirt on the pile.

I got rid of the extra dirt. I don't need a hill when I back the lawn tractor out.  She sat here, taking a break for a good while.

She had more work to do in the wood shed, burrow #2.

MiniFred is excavating and redecorating the burrow in the side of the hill. There are two exit/entrances.  

#1 and #2:

Dig #4 burrow

2025 in burrow #3 under the deck

MiniFred is vigilant, doing 'bear' to look for predators.

Spring is here!

I happily report critters returning, or arising from slumber, aside from those fierce winter survivors. Plants and flowers? Precious little action. Just daffodils and tulips beginning to emerge.

MiniFred was working to find some grass. Eventually, the snow melted. This is the burrow where Fred gave birth to miniFred and her 3 siblings. The coyote was spotted on camera with one in their mouth. 

MiniFred has been active. She's been eating my Yucca plants. Who can blame her? This is the safety burrow, when one is eating and a predator comes on by. Good Bunny Labbit used it in winter. 

On Wednesday I was in the forest and Barred Owl flew away from me. Archive photos! 

Phoebe flies south for winter. They are back to mate and raise babies!

Fred has been renovating. 

In the audio from the video, I could hear Phoebe, and the Barred Owl, while I watched Fred. Can you identify them by sound? Phoebe says PHEEEE BWEEE, and the owl says, 'Who-cooks-for-you!'

Fred was doggy digging! 

It looks like phoebe is exploring building a nest in the shed. They've nested under the deck for several years. It's not as safe in the shed. 

 

I went to check on Barry Beaver, and sure enough, he's been a busy beaver. More on him later. 

After that I put my feet up and sat on the front deck! 

MiniFred is awake!

It was a cold morning, as many have been. Cinnamon sits here and watches life go by. 

The front porch is warm in the sun. I sat out under a blanket (it was a gift!) and read a few chapters of my book.

It says SPRING on the calendar, but it is a tad cold. I tried another sunset photo, but it didn't go too well.

Friday, March 27th. From the deck, I noticed what had to be dirt tracks. Either Fred was back, or miniFred was awake from her slumber in this burrow.

MiniFred was able to dig out.

Fred sightings over the years.

 I am happy to report that miniFred is awake, March 27th. Momma Fred went back to her burrow until we get some actual grass. However, miniFred decided a green weed was just the thing!  

I'd tossed 4 carrots out. This is what is left.

I seldom get their tracks as they usually emerge after the snow melts.

She is wary, as well she should be! I love the colours in her coat.

I didn't snap her doing 'bear' on her hind feet. She is vigilant, looking for predators. Here is an archive photo.

June 11, 2012

This is one of her predators. The quick red fox. Not to mention the coyotes...