Freds and owls, June 3 & 4

We are moving into summer. Inching slowly... The horse chestnut tree is in full bloom. Bees abuzzing!

Wed., June 3rd

 After thinking it was very, very quiet, our groundhog family, AKA the Freds, spent the afternoon under the lower deck. They came back from the other burrow. Cinnamon was quite keen. They seem to have a healthy respect for one another. Cinnamon is curious, and a watcher and a thinker! 😏

Momma moved back from the other burrow June 2nd:

Cuteness abounds. They are weaned, and independent. Still, they gather. It seems as if one of them shadows the mother. The others move in a trio.

I had a nice afternoon watching them while I put my feet up.

 

 

 It's like Whack-a-mole, as they pop up. The lower deck burrow (#3) has 4 entrance/exits!

 

June 4th – I came back from viewing the owls, they were singing to one another, and miniFreds were watching me!

The Barred owls... sound up, you can't see them. I was totally curious. I had to go look for them.

 

It moved abruptly...

Then flew over my head. I imagine they have an owlet with them. They've been flying around the wetland for days.

Walkies on Crumbly Acres

I took a walk down to the frog pond. I hadn't been down there in ages, there was such deep snow. There were two things on the Spring To Do List: clean out the wood duck nest box at the frog pond, and set up the trailcam. Cinnamon came along for Walkies.

This old pine tree has had it. We'll see if it crumbles and/or tumbles. 

We have fun in the forest. I heard the owl, saw some owl mute. I hope she mates this year. These are both archive photos!

There are trees down everywhere. I can't lift them. maybe I'll get the reciprocal saw out. 

Back up at the house, he found a nice spot. I was working on Mamma Bear, and rilling bird feeders. Snow on Saturday, I'll wait to remove the plant coats. Plus it was below zero overnight.

The daffodils are beginning to show!

sunrise

March 19th it was 21 ℃ and I sat and read out front! It has cooled off since then.

In the night, this mysterious orb was shining! One must admit to wondering what the heck it was, at first. 

The spider web is back on the camera! 

I hope spidey goes back to sleep. It is -10℃ this morning! It's only 16℃ in the house, as the thermostat has an overnight setting. I am under a blanket with my coffee, but the furnace is on!

🐸 Moving the Frogs

But first, let's get this out of the way. We went to bed before any results from the US election. I woke at 3:30 and listened to the radio. #47 was giving a speech. OMG

"Word of the day is ‘recrudescence’ (17th century): the return of something terrible after a time of reprieve."

I am gobsmacked. We are moving backwards.

There will be an federal election for us next year. We are worried about right-wing whackos in Canada, yet most of the damage done to our nation is done by a provincial premiers who deny climate change.  'Nuff said. 

Tuesday morning: 

JOE:  I'm going to shave!
Me:   You have fun!
JOE: That's the name of the game today!  

That was yesterday. 

We had an amazingly warm day on Tuesday. We kept busy.

🐸 Moving the Frogs

The result of all that warmth meant that the frogs kept waking up in the goldfish pond. They are now so sensitive to us, that I'll just walk by and they will hide from us. It's tricky. They think it is safe for winter, but it is too shallow.

I've found a pot with a lid, which really helps. The larger, green frogs can jump out, but the lid keeps them secure.

Down we went. Here is a frog who will have a much better winter in the frog pond. 

This is what I found for my troubles. A tick! I could feel something crawling, and picked it off with a piece of tape. 

 

 Nov. 5th We moved 10 frogs, then 7 + 3 + 10 + 3 = 33 froggies. It was good exercise on a lovely day. Joe helped and took turns taking them down to the wetland or the frog pond. 

 2024 total =  128 

I went down to the back 40, the wetland, and owl was there. This is the path I take.

I think she helped herself to the froggies. We all have to eat! I found 3 owl pellets under the owl tree. I'll let it dry, dissect the pellets, and then see what she has been eating. A beetle, for sure! 

I hope you can get out in nature. It's raining some today. We'll need a distraction. 

Sunrise, froggies, chores

 Such a lovely sunrise Tuesday!

I had a notice that my health card needed a new photo and renewal. I looked at it, and at my driver's licence, yes, expiring as well, on my birthday in December. My driver's licence was free to renew. The healthcard $90. Our premier is trying to buy re-election.

There was a decision to make. You know how bad such photos are? Should I bother with make up? Caitlin said I should! I'd feel better. 

Wednesday

We had a balmy day. It was weird. It got up to 23 ℃., and it felt like summer.

Joe took the car into town and had the snow tires put on. Yes, weird. There is cold weather on its way. We have another year for the summer tires until we have to replace them. 

The frogs woke up in the goldfish pond. They've been sleeping in the mud in the cold weather. The pond was down to 2℃.  I had to move them. It was good exercise.

• Oct. 30 – warm day, moved 19 (see below!) and later 6, then 7 more  = 32
• Total moved, so far this fall, = 61

I set them down, and they hopped into the pond. 

I got tired of going down to the frog pond. The third time, I went to the back 40. I was blessed with an owl sighting on the owl tree.

We've rain on the way. I've my respite client volunteer visit, so that works out. The leaves are nearly down. I still have to redo the eaves under the catalpa tree and the shed is ready, as well.