Trailcam tails

Our part of the world is waking up from winter. The turkeys are easing into mating season.

  

It was very exciting Thursday night. The first of the spring peepers. It's snowing this morning, so I think they might go back to sleep!

        

 The critters are out and about. We're all relieved that the snow and subzero temperatures have risen. Butch Mar 22  is so cute.

 

 

The Porcupine Mar 23  is just adorable. It just amble along, minding its own business.

 

 

I've set a trailcam up in the backyard. Bunny showed up. bunny back yard  

  

Bunny was in the front yard, as well. bunny front yard  

 

The redpolls are still here. They should be going north for the summer. Soon.

 

Thanks for hosting, Eileen! For more critters: 

Saturday's Critters # 380

Tuesday was brilliant!

Warm, sunny. Everyone was outside. I have some spring ditch diving to do. I like to do it after a below zero night, and prior to rain. That way I don't sink into the mud. I believe I blew it! We've a major rainstorm on the way, and it warmed up too fast. This compares the 23rd and today, the 24th.

I did set up the 2nd water barrel, knowing we were getting some rain. Nutmeg chose not to help. She had stuff to do.

Look at the daffies coming up!

Everyone was out and about!

I hauled out my tripod, parked myself on the deck, and watched the birds. There were about 30 redpolls still here. Soon they will return north to breed. I am surprised they are still her. Please, mind you!

I cannot neglect our regular visitors. 

A tree sparrow

The bird feeder attracted a total of 4 honey bees Mar 23. It was bizarre! Of course, we've no flowers. One managed to get itself stuck in the globe feeder. I removed the top cover to allow it to escape. 

 

Poor old Zola Mar 22, I moved the trail camera and got another angle. I noticed her ear has some damage, as well as her broken leg. I've been so focused on her ankle, that I missed this.

 

Redpolls!

My photos are lousy, but they record an event. Every winter redpolls arrive from the north. I couldn't ID these birds without help, as they are a mix of male and female adults, as well as juveniles. 

I do have an old photo, or two.

I'll be curious to see if they turn up again, or are passing through.  According to Bob'll No, at Gilligalou...

Red polls, large number in the area this year, they come down from the North each year, some years more that others, after food. The cone crop in the Boreal is poor this year forcing high numbers south. They love Nyjer seed!

Redpolls (AllAboutBirds) have an interesting range. 

 redpolls Jan 14 

Critters abound: hawk on the bird feeder!

Sadly, I found our wee Saw-whet owl dead beside the house. There was a lot of blood.
I think I know who is to blame. The amateur experts tell me it is a Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk. Maybe!
At the very least they fight fair and don't use guns or bows and arrows. The Saw-whets don't spend much time on the ground, nor do most of our birds.
I've recovered 10 bird bodies last year. Two I took and released.

I have hauled out more frog bodies from the goldfish pond. I hope that is all. I'm not sure I can deepen it, it's 3' in the deep end. I'll look into a bubbler or heater. I feel awfully defeated.
I'm glad I brought some goldfish into the house for winter.

Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk

Juvenile hawk at the goldfish pond

 hawk at the feeder

Frog pond melting
-no sign of the Muskrats, but the Wood ducks are back!

I was happy to spot 6 Redpolls in the dead cherry tree. (It succumbed to the long winter last year, only 2 or 3 branches grew leaves.)

#69