On my way to the pond...

I spotted this fun pair of chickadees. They've been building a hole in a dead sumac tree trunk. Isn't it funny?



Here is the action. If you watch to the end you will hear gunfire. In the back 500 (beyond our property) is the Recertifying range for the OPP. We do our part by tolerating the noise of a dozen men and women, in uniform, being tested for the year. It goes on for a few days a week all summer.
Chickadees from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Even funnier, I saw a pair of chickadees do this in Bala, in April 2010, videotaped from my living room window. The video show Sadie cat walking along the neighbour's driveway. Then, at the end, Oliver cat watching the nesting pair. They eventually gave up and went elsewhere, thankfully!


Down at the frog pond, my Wood duck friends are wary of my daily visit. The swim to the far end of the pond, then climb up onto the land, and duck walk over and down to the more secluded wetland in the trees beyond.


The mallards take off quickly and circle around the pond, watching for me to leave. At the end of the video, theOPP  gunfire, again.
Grumpy Mallards from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Daily I visit the frog pond to check on spring's progress. The mallards take umbrage. They return, soon, however.

There is still some ice on the pond, but the wood frogs are out singing! Last night the spring peepers were peeping, as well!
Wood frogs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Wood frogs just hang around like this, croaking and getting ready for mating season. Daisy on the dock, watching the water.

And the sad news

Dorah hiding from Buster

These will be the last two photos of Buster. Scolding, time outs, Feliway, Prozac didn't work out. My blood pressure was up as he tried to attack Dorah for the last time. I woke up to let him inside, after midnight. Gave him some food and I could see his tail twitching and he was ready for attack. Right under the bed, where Dorah hides from him. It was the last straw. I put him in the dog cage to protect Dorah until we decided what to do.

We took him to the vet and had him put down. Rehoming wasn't an option, as he is a wanderer. There are a couple dozen cats at LAWS who NEED homes. We cried. The vets were amazing, especially our Dr. Sara. They could have found him a home in a local barn, with two other cats, but since even Pickles (a wandering unneutered summer cat)  chases him here, he would be a victim. It was a good death. We were with him.
 Now to help Dorah stop hiding in the bedroom, and get back to her 'normal.' It's going to take some time.

Narrows Locks - lovely Fall tour, but the guns continue to fire

After our lunch out, on Sunday, we took a drive to Narrow's Locks. It was a busy spot, with lots of boats going back and forth. I even spotted a Monarch Butterfly! I've seen the odd one still flying by.

There is something wonderful about being near the water. Our wee frog pond had 5 ducks the other day. They flew off as we walked around it. I had Buster, Daisy, and Dorah with me.

It is duck season, and the guns begin at 5:30 a.m., so the ducks seem happy to shelter in our little spot, far from the madding crowd. Last night (Thursday) the guns were firing at the nearby firing range. I guess the owner rents it out. It was the same the night before from just after dinner until our bedtime. You can hear the whistle blow, then 10 seconds of hammering gunfire. Then people yelling. In the dark, while I am indoors. We are having the windows replaced. I hope it helps somewhat.

The OPP recertify all summer, the guns of 500 OPP officers hammering over 37 days between April

500m away

and August. They send out a notice warning us of the days, at least. Guns firing for 10 second bursts, all at once, all day. You'd think the local real estate agent (who lives not too far away) might have disclosed this. It's 500m out our back yard, and with the leaves down, its much louder. It's upsetting, to say the least, especially with my high blood pressure.

A previous owner accidentally shot himself in the house. No word on that, either. Fortunately, he is at peace, bless his soul.

Did you know that there is a website for registering and/or finding the creepy stuff?

Website reveals what ghosts linger in the closets of your new home

 Housecreep.com , created by two Ontario brothers, displays the addresses of more than 23,000 North American properties once host to violent crimes, fires and drug operations. One hundred cases of Ottawa’s most grisly homicides, assaults and arsons, as well as marijuana grow-ops, are publicly listed there.

Back to our gentle day's end.
You can see the geese far out on the lake, below, honking away in enthusiastic discussions.
A couple of motorcycle riders stopped for a bite to eat. Firing up the mini cooker to heat up a dehydrated meal. They were other travelers, as well, who had a lovely old-style picnic basket, sitting on chairs beside the canal. Relaxing in the sunshine, watching the boats and the people go by.

It was interesting watching the men crank up the lock mechanisms by hand. Something that has been done for many years, without electricity. It's a nice summer job if you can get it!