Crumbly Rainy Windy Acres

 There was a storm July 1st. I am really glad I cut the lawn before it all happened. Funny thing is, I wrote this the day before, and we had a similar storm on Thursday. 

We are grateful for all those who are helping with the results of the storm(s).  You feel so helpless.

The sunrise was deceiving. 

 It was terribly hot. 37℃ was its peak.

During the storm, it was horizontal rain and winds.

 

 

 The Gardepro showed the shingles flying off.

   

 I went out front and found where the shingles came from.

 

Ottawa had 118mm rain (4"). Here in Lanark County we only had 35 mm July 1st.  We've lost a few branches. That beautiful white pine tree out front. I found a couple of tick nymphs trying to move the branches. Just to add insult to injury.

I could see it coming...

And it hit. Lots of power outages.

Ottawa had 118 mm rain,
lots of flooding.

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UPDATE: Another storm July 2nd. We had another 44 mm. Fred's lower deck burrow was flooded. I hope they weren't in there. Our power went out for a couple of hours. Joe went to Smiths Falls and fetched us some dinner. Good man. 

The tree damage is significant. There are branches to clean up. 

This tree's branches landed in the front yard. I got myself two ticks trying to cut branches up. Lesson learned. 

The wind blew over the deer fence. Lots of the milkweed plants are leaning over.

The shed: 

I went out to check Barry's Aspen trees. Not good. There were two uprooted.

A spot of colour in the chaos.

Fred's burrow

In between storms s/he looked a little wet. 

Then the burrow flooded. I will be anxious to count them today. 

Saturday's Critters: more Freds

The siren seems to work to keep Fred out of the front garden. Maybe! For now. Plus extra barriers. 

 The big news is that Fred has given birth to FOUR kits again. We've only seen three at a time so far. Last year she had 4, as well. This is my first photo of the four plus Momma Fred. It was taken through the window, and a bit fuzzy. At first they were really spooked by seeing us on the deck. 

Eventually, they were content to let me take photos without hurtling themselves down the burrow hole. 

It is interesting seeing their personalities. One ventured further than the others. Which may be dangerous. The coyotes haven't been around so far. They will figure it out, I am sure.

One wanders off! There is always one that leads the pack! They are like toddlers who wander a bit away from mom, then come rushing back to safety.

If you want to see a precious family, watch this video! The kits are hoping for food or attention. They are eating grass around the burrow opening. 

Fred is continuing to wander to the lower deck. The kits watch her from the shed. 

I checked out the wood pile and one log fell off, and the while pile was leaning. I shoved it back up somewhat. For now. I think they've been climbing up there! There is a 2nd burrow entrance in the middle foreground.

I found a dock spider in there. I left it alone. Eat those bugs!

We had a massive wind storm come through. Our power went out around 2 a.m. but we were back up shortly. Still thousands without power this morning.