Videos: Stonefly, Mac Muskrat grooming, cat play

This is a Giant Stonefly or Salmonfly in the genus Pteronarcys.



Muskrat in pond from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.



  Cat play from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Summer glamping and playing on the water

We visited Beveridges Locks. There is an osprey nest.
There happened to be some rowers from Bay of Quinte tours.  I didn't know they had these glamping huts!
The rental buildings are really great for people like me, who would prefer glamping to camping! Then there are the camper trailers.



Off we went for lunch in Rideau Ferry.
Mel, who runs CC's, she brought some popsicles out for her custompers. She also runs Mel's Farm & Rescue.  We donated Sadie's old big bed to her, as none of the other cats would use it!

What a lovely woman!
There was an osprey in the tree across the lake. It hopped off. They aren't great photos, but amazing watching it fish.



We were trying to figure out which nest they might be from, there are several along the highway #43 corridor. Hard to say!


Lots of boat traffic.

Morning visit with Lil Orphan Annie

Walking down to the gully check the owl nest at 6:30 a.m., Lil Orphan Annie was playing near the Faerie Garden.

She is so teeny! I kept talking to her, quietly, she was prepared to bolt at any moment. I told her where I was going, down into the gully. She followed me, seemingly curious. She seems to have been walking through the wetland, as her legs are covered in muck!





She's been trimming my hosta for me, as well!


Later that night, we were hearing some branches breaking. It didn't even occur to me, and with the bear, I was a bit hesitant. Turns out our tree finally crashed to the ground. Fire up the battery in the skilsaw! I HAVE A BIT OF WORK TO DO. Lil Orphan Annie was eating in the meadow. She was quite concerned!  [Broken tree in our forest] 

Barred Owl Chick Branches

Here is Momma June 1st

Apparently, my slight cough was an irritant! No chick to be seen.

June 3rd chick branched – 6:30 a.m.

This is a different tree from the tree with the nest  cavity. A good sign that it is a healthy chick, able to fly short distances.

Back at noon I went, with bug spray on!

I walked around and under Momma. I thought I heard the chick, but it was Momma owl. You can hear her murp in the video. All About Birds tells me this is a 'solicitation call.'
Momma owl hoots from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Chick branched this morning, Momma looks tired!
She was very calm, so I crept closer. She looked straight at me, giving me a silent once-over with those deep, dark brown eyes, then suddenly she was napping!

I kept looking and looking, at the original tree, the tree where the chick was branching, and for some reason I looked up... There is was!

Chick on branch from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Wandering in an area of dried wetland, mosquitoes, and poison ivy, I couldn't see the chick at all. Suddenly, I looked up. There it was!