It's gardening time!

 Saturday morning, I found out what Butch was up to in the night! She knocked the pump over. JB came in to report it. Cinnamon supervised me. He was quite concerned about the fishies!

And, we're done. I added some fresh water for good measure. 

Saturday at 8 a.m., JB went into the market for some supplies. It was all outdoors. Some of the craftspeople were not there. Town was deserted!

Saturday afternoon I planted the rest of my plants. It is such good therapy! The deep purple petunias have such a scent. 

I totally missed getting a tall spike for this planter. The one from last year is quite dead, by maybe it will do!

I hope the petunias do their thing. I must tape up a couple of holes before I water it next! 

This one looks a bit lame. I usually put a climbing thing in it, I just didn't have the energy to keep on shopping. 

I found this little plant, and spur-of-the-moment picked it up. It's called Lychnis flos-cuculi, "Petite Jenny!" Feel free to giggle! I haven't been 'petite' since gr. 4! 

I picked up zucchini, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash. I totally missed getting pumpkins, which is what I wanted. The perils of shopping with anxiety, I just hightailed it out. The dude was waiting for me to exit the veggie aisle. In hindsight, he only bought 4 tomato plants. If I'd known... These photos are for reference, I suspect the plants won't last long! 

Big news: phoebe has a cowbird egg in her nest. It's illegal to interfere with nature, so I'll leave it be and see what happens. Good thing we have lots of bugs, we will hope for the best outcome.

The gray tree frog was outside singing on the deck. I put the plant out for him. We've gypsy moth caterpillars all over the place. There is lots of food.

I think the robins have finally picked a beam. I noticed the cowbirds flying around. I expect another egg in the robin's nest.

I put together a video of Butch at the frogpond, eating the corn. She's there every few hours or so, noting the time stamp. She's thirsty, too. You can hear the gray tree frogs singing. She's got kits, so she has mouths to feed. I'll look forward to seeing the kits. She was there every couple of hours. 12:34; 13:04; 15:19; 17:01;  Momma Butch  

The crows have been out and about. Good to see them. Crow May 15 

Saturday's critters

The flowers 

The critters continue to make me happy it is spring. The wood duck is in her nest. They are due to hatch soon.

The phoebe on hers. I tootled around doing the lawn while she was out. When I was done, she came back.

I noticed a sparrow checking out the bluebird nesting box! We'll see what happens.

The hummingbirds and rose-breasted grosbeaks have returned. (The house wren did not!)

Deer at the dock. deer at dock    

The crow was surprised by the duck. Hoppy Crow May 10 

 

I believe that the crows are still nesting in the pine tree. The one on the left. It's impossible to see it, as they nest hear the top, truly hidden. I've walked around the tree and cannot see anything.

The crows are as much predator as prey. The blue jays are wicked bad, as well. I haven't seen the crow with the stick sticking out of its face in a couple of days. crow  

 

There were three deer in the front yard. Momma and twins. She looks pregnant! 3 deer  

Butch is here frequently, even during the day. I found out why! She's a Momma Butch . 

Last year she had six kits🎥!

Thanks to Eileen for hosting lots of critters! 

Saturday's Critters # 387

Gramma Camp Monday

 Monday was fun. Momma and Papa asked if we'd take them this week. We were happy to. The OCDSB, their Ottawa School Board, has changed its mind. School was to start Sept. 3, then they changed it to the 8th, after Labour Day. Then Monday the public was informed that they are having a few online activities from Sept 14 - 18, and online learning begins the 18th. Our girls are quite tech savvy, their Papa is an encryption engineer, and we often ask them for tips. I'm sure they will do well.

We had a good day, Monday. We accomplished a few tasks.

Josephine assisted me in laying down some flashing on the Muskoka Room. The hole, where the railing used to be, was dripping down and rotting the support beam. Not good. 

After that chore, Joseee painted the milk can. I'd spray painted it white on the weekend, and it was dry now.

I'd sent Grampa into town to fetch some new drainage pipes. This one broke as I was trying to attach it. I'd used it elsewhere.

I printed the two pieces off, wrote down the product number, and sent him off. My mistake was not to indicate it was Crappy Tire! He went to Home Hardware first. I felt so badly.

Anyway, he figured it out. Isabelle helped me install them. I had to screw it, to the downspout, and she took over the drill. "I'm good with those," she assured me. Indeed, she screwed it in, and we were good to go.

Nutmeg presented herself at the back door, dropping off a small vole. Poor thing. They take far more rodents than birds. I keep track, and it is 6 rodents for every 1 bird.

Josephine was coming upstairs from their room, and noticed a bat or bird flying about. It was a bat, flying round and round the basement. Having grabbed the long-handled butterfly net, I explained that the bats come in in summer either to cool down or get warm, and come in via the chimney. I think.

I asked Jos to open the basement door, which she did, keeping herself low to the ground. On round # 5 or 6, I snagged the bat in the net, put it outside and on the ground. It leapt up and flew off.

I went outside to put the net away on the front deck, and spotted a garter snake. Jos loves them and came running, but it was gone.

Our work done, all of us watched Black Panther, which aired on TV ad-free on Sunday. I texted the girls, and both wanted to see it. We taped it and watched it Monday afternoon. We were riveted at Chadwick Boseman's brilliance.

The raccoons are bulking up nicely for winter. 

Butch x 2 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I was happy to spot Momma Butch on the trailcam. She is still at 3 kits, from 5 in the spring. Not too bad.
Momma butch from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The fawn was having fun in the meadow.
fawn from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The bucks, as well! If you bother playing the video, you can hear the loons flying over head, stretching their migration wings.
bucks from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We're not beside water, it is about 1 km away, and they fly around some. It's so lovely.