Saturday's Critters

 We've had Fred back. I hope you aren't tired of Fred. I sure am! There are 4 burrows: under the wood in the shed, under the wood behind the house, under the lower deck, and the most recent is behind the propane tanks.

After a walkabout, I'd noticed more digging, and tried to shovel more back in between the tanks. The blackflies got me, even with bug spray on. 

Fred, I still think they are nesting under the deck. They are running back and forth, bringing leaves in their mouth.

 

tired Fred from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The rains last week were wonderful. Apparently, it led to a slug fest! After the rain, they were happy to get out and about.

slug fest from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We've still this coyote, with unusual markings. I don't know if it is mange, or what. I called him Silverback, just to differentiate him from Chad Coyote, which is the name for all the other coyotes we see.

These are two videos, from two trailcam traps, which show what Silverback is up to.  June 13

Silverback Coyote from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

They are growing up in the bluebird nest box! I think there are 5.

I took my snake scope and caught a glimpse of the House Wrens. It is really tough to see them.

House wrens from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Saturday's Critters # 496 <= Thanks to Eileen for hosting! 

Saturday's Critters

A new bird for me: a chestnut-sided warbler. I was filling the water fountain. The video helped me, but I had to do screen captures to ID it. The bird sang in the tree, then landed on the electrical cord. Happily, it was too hot for mosquitoes, and I could be patient to capture the moment. 😛

We've a Cardinal nesting in the lilac bush. It is a popular spot. I noticed a female Cardinal chasing momma robin away. 

The phoebes and the hummingbirds land here↑, as well. Not only that, but going downstairs for a workout, I spotted a bird in the tree being fed by an adult. Running upstairs, I grabbed the video camera (and my reading glasses) to try and get a closer look. Sure enough, there was a baby bird. 

Turns out, it is the cowbird, who had been in the phoebe nest (Cowbird in phoebe nest ). It hatched earlier than the phoebes. The parents are feeding both the cowbird and phoebes (4?) at the same time.

cowbird juvie from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Here is one of the adult phoebes.

phoebe from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

At the back 40, I still cannot capture the wood duck on camera. She is too quick for this, the camera too slow. There are still 9 or so eggs in here.

Remember our Bear? The date is terribly wrong. There are way too many bugs to stand there and reset the camera date! This was 8 a.m., May 31st. He's been seen not far away, on Elm Grove Rd. I was worried about bear and the wood duck nesting box, but Momma was wisely quiet, and he ambled by. 

bear from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I'll leave you with Silverback Coyote. They used to be called 'Chad' but this one is quite different.

 

Coyote May 27 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.