Skunk report, et al

That was a bit of a shock this morning. I'd brought my indoor plants in from the outdoors, thankfully. They enjoyed being out, but this morning it was only 5 degrees C. Just in time! I put on the furnace today. 

The orchid is doing really well. The orchid was been repotted in June, and it really makes a difference.

You can see the cats' basket of toys. Cinn will hop up and select one. He is happier being indoors these days.

 Here it is today, compared to Jan., 2020.

I've been looking for another book series. It's just so much easier reserving them and picking them up from the library! I finished #10 and I liked it. (I don't like reading novels set too much in the past!) A good murder mystery, cowritten with a man and woman, which makes it better, in my eyes.

Also, I bought this book for Joe. It tells the history about deep sea diving, and the story of a deep sea rescue of Pisces III, from Aug.  29th, 1973. It's an interesting history of diving bells. I haven't gotten to that part yet, but it is a good read about the backstory. After the recent deaths, Titan submersible implosion, I was curious about this story. [

List of submarine and submersible incidents since 2000

]

I took the book to my new client's house, yesterday, but we happily chatted for three hours. I put on make up and did my hair, dressing in one of my favourite dresses, black, smattered in colourful butterflies and flowers. 

Last sightings

The milkweed is hosting Milkweed Tussock Moths. I think I've seen a couple of Monarchs, but not many.

There are a ton of frogs in the dewy grass. Leopard frogs usually stay in the wet grass, but the wood frogs like both the grass and the forest. They are getting larger, having been wee tadpoles in the frog pond and wetland, and headed for the hills. 

What with today's temperatures, they will be looking for shelter for winter. Tree frogs shelter and hibernate buried in leaves. Other frogs bury themselves in the mud in ponds. I'll have to check on wood frogs. 

Skunk 

I love it when a good hypothesis is confirmed. I first spotted a skunk out back in April. She ran by lactating, so I knew she'd be around. The den is just over the fence, in the ditch on the side of the hill. It is a perfect spot for her. 

I had the idea about strapping the camera to the can. Of course, it tipped over. I took the strap and attached it to a stick, with an old topper from the water fountain. Perfect!

I put the trailcam out the day prior, plus one more day for fun. The camera light didn't bother it. Now that I am sure, I'll stop recording her. I haven't seen her at all during the day, which is good for us! She knows we are here and tolerates us. We can all get along.

She had itchies!  SKUNK video 20 sec.  

skunk from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Caterpillars, yucca, cats, frogpond

It's the season of the milkweed tussock moth caterpillars!

The yucca plant is doing well. It didn't blossom last year. 

The daisies are doing well, at least!

We had a cold couple of days, and I think it had an impact on some of the milkweed. The leaves look a bit odd.

You'll have to trust me. There is a bird drinking from the bird bath! 

The hops vine is growing well.

Caitlin took this photo when she was here!

The frogpond is still evaporating water like mad. 

June 22nd

 July 2nd, before the rain.

After the storm (13 mm rain)

July 5th

I predict it'll dry up this year, again. We sure need rain.

First hosta victim.

Second hosta victim!

The blueweed is amazing!

The quick red fox snagged a small portion of leftover meatloaf!

 

Momma butch and her 5 kits are still a family.

 

Jul 3

Canada has recorded a total of 104,772 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of January.

The United States has recorded 101,707 COVID-19 cases in the last two days.

Critters abound

The monarchs continue to be busy. I'm still surprised there are NONE beside the back garden. It's been dreadfully hot, maybe they know they are better in the shelter of the front yard.


This is where the majority of our monarch caterpillars sit, on a half dozen plants. I've been hand watering the milkweed plants! Currently, there are three caterpillars in various stages of growth.



These are milkweed tussock moths. They started on one of the plants above, and I successfully moved them to another plant. I took the whole leaf, and set it on another leaf, on another plant. I thought that the two monarch caterpillars on the other plant would do better without them! Success!

In the goldfish pond, there are now 18 froggies seeking  sanctuary here. This first one is just losing its tail. This is one I rescued from the dried up frog pond, down beyond the meadow.  [The goldfish and frog pond]. They are all green frogs.

Down in the meadow, FOUR raccoons on the trailcam, plus Bucky 1!

Then there is our boy, Hooper.