Outdoor joys, things are ticking along

The garden is popping. (Get it?!) 

Banana Man is back. He (or so I assume it is a dude on his way to work) chucks a banana onto our driveway many weekday mornings. I found it when I put the garbage out Monday. Such a dork!

Our Pride Flag was stolen last month. I replaced it and put it here on the arbor. It fell off! It is tricky screwing into cedar. I had to rejig it, screwing it to a 2 x 4 and strapping it to the pole. A drive-by theft can still occur, but it requires them to trespass to do so. I wore my thick t-shirt, and still got bitten in the middle of my back. JB put on anti-itch goop. 

flag repairs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The tree frogs are out and about. Once mating season is over, they will be working the Hops vine for bugs. 

Speaking of which, the Hops vine is growing rapidly. It is just about up to the roof. The second photo is from May 31!

Indoors, Nutmeg's favourite spot. She'll pick a toy out of the cat toy basket beside her. Cinnamon does the same, as well. Honestly, so many people have lovely living rooms, but this is a functional room for us! When the kids visit, I chuck the blankets behind the sofa. Caitlin is allergic to cats! 

I went out on the front deck, and a red-eyed vireo was sitting there looking up at me! I guess it hit the window. It flew away, thankfully. These are photos from 2015.

The birds are wonderful, singing for love and claiming their territory. 

Bats and birds from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I love seeing the bats eating all those danged bugs! The second part of the video show predawn when the audio has the birds singing. It is lovely! 

I am so happy with both my new flag and my repair. It is June Pride Month!

 

phoebe May 30 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I've a lot to do. Lots of watering, we are so dry. The durn lawn tractor doesn't want to keep its charge. The weeds have been awful. Then there are the ticks. JB had two yesterday. It was an adult crawling on his arm, and another stuck in his back. Duly removed and popped into rubbing alcohol. 

You can compare the adult with the nymph. 

Our trails...

I should do cat claws, they both need a trim. Me? I had a pedicure.
 

We were watching tennis finals. The hats are a hoot!


Hooper and I went walkies to fetch the trailcam cards. He roared up behind me, went ahead, and collapsed!


The fountain in the goldfish pond is doing well.


Wild oregano


chicory


The birds have been amazing.

They have a new brood! Papa is proudly announcing it. He has a beautiful song!

Trailcam videos

I loved this video! The bugs must be driving them mad.

We have a handsome pair of coyotes who turn up on an irregular regular basis.
coyotes from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.