Me, the Moon, Snowfleas, and Deer

 I gave myself some down time after a hectic week. My PA is still working on his 100-day cough. The meds are helping him sleep and clear his lungs. Praise be. Thanks for your kind words about the man. He's been very good about taking his meds.

I watched a TV piece about a spa in Toronto which uses *ASMR techniques. They said that it is a place where you can "unwind, feel cared for, relax in a safe place." That's just what I needed. I knew where to find it! It was a regular ManiPedi and it was as soothing. 

I decided on a manicure just now since I can wreck a good one in no time during gardening season. This is the in-between times. Snow and no bugs.

I suppose that is wrong. There are bugs. Outside in the snow the snow fleas are working up to mating season! They aren't truly snow fleas, properly called Springtails. They don't bite. I researched it some once. 

Springtails on snow Jan. 2012

snow flea in the macro lens
This photography is harder than it looks!

I traded in my macro lens back in the day. Here I am using my iPhone 11↓ on Friday. Not so bad photos. I was out feeding them. There were 9 Saturday around 6:30, but they disappeared by the time I'd had coffee.

I attempted the snap the moon. Through the window. 

I've taken moon photos before. 

The moon was hiding behind clouds.

Look at the snow we've lost. March 1st

This morning you can see the pumpkin from the fall.

Bala, Muskoka back when we lived there.

*ASMR - Wikipedia

An autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a tingling sensation and pleasant form of paresthesia, that usually begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and spine.

Cat walkies in the forest

 Cinnamon and I went walkies last Thursday, as is our way. He's a good companion. Meowing all the way, he followed the deer tracks. He led and I followed, until he made it to the wetland. The wetland was a little, erm, wet!

He stopped and went back to the tree. Raccoon poop!

There are lots of woodpecker holes.

Off he went...

The trees reflect the sunshine and embrace the warmer temperatures. The wetland melts from the shoreline in towards the middle, where the ice is thicker.

Can you see the Springtails (AKA snowfleas)! They cover the open water in the wetland. They are active at 5 C. and fill deep deer tracks. 

You can see them springing in this video. They are harmless, Springtails eat bacteria, fungi, lichens, algae and decaying vegetation, fertilizing the soil in the process.

Snow fleas from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Off he goes, off the point. I saw him sinking up to his armpits, and he decided to come back. I think he jumped over the water to come back, as I'd walked away at that point.

The deer paths go off into the wetland, through the meltwater. 

Fisher tracks on the snow...

Someone flung himself up the tree!

Here he comes!

He lagged behind, and I whistled for him. The chickadees answered me!

Cinnamon walkies 2 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

He looks left and right.

In the meadow, he pauses for washups! 

A good time had by both of us!

Walkies in the forest

This is unusual for January, melted snow on the shoreline of the wetland. I dare not go snowshoeing in there. It's so sad.



Looking closer at the puddles, I realized it was filled with springtails, AKA snow fleas.

I spotted the pileated woodpecker. It was a horrid day for photos, but this is where he was! The good photo is from my archive.

pileated woodpecker from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The wetland is so different in winter.



We've lost trees in our winds. It blew their tops right off!


Two drops of blood on the snow. It'll soon be antler time. They shed them at this time of year. The clues for those inclined to collect them are these drops of blood. I shall have to go for a walk prior to our forecast ice storm.



Great excitement, I thought. I realized it might just be orange-ish urine! It is shedding time, though.



Deer beds in the snow, right on the edge of the wetland.



The oak leaves hang on until mid-winter. Recent winds blew them off. Soon it will be spring!



The oak tree beside the driveway.


In the backyard, you can see the wandering tracks of the deer. And, yes, I still need to clean my sensor.



Visit more critters: Saturday's Critters #319!