Bird feeders

 I have been enjoying the birdies. This was Sunday. A downy woodpecker.

The Dratted Red Squirrel (a fave of the cats) has been chomping down.

The morning dove likes the arrangement.

The tripod really helps. The afternoon sun makes photos tricky. Not to mention the wind blowing the wind sock. (It does seem to help prevent bird strikes.) 

Much better shots with the camera on a tripod.

The squirrel managed to get up there. I think it flings itself from the tree, or from the bird bath. 

I put out the Wingscape camera. The trick is you have to preset the focus on it. I set it for 4'. 

I reset the camera, and managed some close shots.

 

Mourning dove

 

After our walk, Cinnamon helped himself to a drink. I realized the winter bird bath needed cleaning. 

 

Bird watching

 I guess seeing red squirrel is just a bonus! These are from the front window. With the recent cold snap, it is just lovely watching from inside. Of course, we were nowhere near as cold as the prairies. Right, Red?! You were at - 30 C., while we were only -10 c.!

American tree sparrow:

White breasted nuthatch:

Tappy cardinal:

Junco:

Mourning doves:

Downy woodpecker:

They sure like the bird bath, although they aren't bathing in -10 C. temperatures!

I moved the Wingscapes camera, you can see the lights on it.

It captures cats, as well as birds. 

It is tricky, as you have to set the focus prior to setting it out. It's hit and miss the critters.

 

cinnamon from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

cardinal from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

This cardinal is a nut! Can you see him in the tree outside the window?

He was tapping on the bathroom window, seeing his reflection and an enemy. My blue heron statues watches, but so do the cats. 

Still snowy and frozen!

We haven't seen King Charles in a few days. This is the last image I had. He's not been near the house! He devoured the last pie pumpkin beside the frogpond. This was prior to the ice storm. 

King Charles IV from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I figured out that likely the security camera card is frozen. Rebooting it only established that it didn't see the memory card. I only managed these videos because the app was open, and it saved directly to my laptop. We expect 5 mm rain on the weekend. Oh, yikes.

deer feeder from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I'll climb the ladder, and try remove and reinsert the card. Or maybe I'll wait until we thaw this weekend.

I've my camera on the tripod in the living room window. I don't know if it is a reception room or a snug. We've been enjoying Escape to the Country UK. It is so interesting. We'd never heard of barn conversions before, where the barn has those amazing huge beams. 

The 'bird bath' has been popular. It is so much easier to clean this one in winter. They are thirsty birds!

They are pretty, mourning doves.

Goldfinches are cute, as well.

 A junco:

The elusive female cardinal appeared. The next photo shows them in parallel play eating!

The TV takes time to thaw in the day. Some channels work, others do not. I could get out the ladder and roof rake but with the thaw coming... 

We went into town for our COVID shots. The trees are all bent, with the weight of snowflakes and ice.

 After we had our vaccinations, we had our lunch, then watched the women's soccer game we had taped. They gave away the result, but it didn't matter. The tribute for Christine 'Sinc' Sinclair was amazing. A lovely woman, with a great spirit. 

We'll see what today brings. A slow thaw is what I hope for. 

Nutmeg and the birds

Joseph has worked hard trying to convince Nutmeg to be a lap cat. I think he has finally done it! She doesn't last long, and sometimes just wants a bribe treat, but she is there.

We adopted them in Nov., 2019. I had to look it up!

Saturday, I gave it another shot. Get it?! Cinnamon was chipmunk watching.

The cardinal:

He is still tapping on the front window, angry that another cardinal is in the area. Silly twit.

He is still tapping on the window, trying to get at the other male bird. 

cardinal from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Sunday, the female cardinal turned up! She is shy, and sat at the back of the feeder, eventually making her way round.

The mourning dove was happy to perch.

🧸Snuggle Bears

I surprised Joseph! They were in the dark – and he walked by several times. Finally, he had to put laundry away, and turned the light on. I heard him laugh aloud. I'm not sure why we have three cat masks!

🐸Moved another frog: Oct. 23 p.m.   –     1  =  66   Getting skittish... The wetland was getting full.

I popped it into the water. 

I have to remember to repair the wood duck nesting box. After the ducks nested here, the bears (Momma and two cubs) tore it apart in June. Maybe it is a lost cause.