Snow day!

We had 14 cm of snow Friday/Saturday. It was wonderful! I had to dig out the bird feeders, shovel and snow blow! This is what I saw on Saturday morning. I figured I'd have some coffee and then tackle it!

Cinnamon was in shock!

Stage 1: sidewalk, next, driveway. My trusty snowblower!

It was beautiful, with the blue skies.

Sun sparkles!

The trees are still heavily laden, although I stood under this branch (below) and shook it. Yes, I was covered in snow!

I just grabbed this shot, the wind blowing the light snow off of the deciduous trees. 

The conifers will have to wait for warmer temperatures.

The old cedars look wonderful.

I had to shake off these branches, and was rewarded with a snow shower!

Coopers or sharp-shinned?

 We had a visitor at the bird feeder. I was sitting in my lazy boy chair, and I looked up and out the window. There it was. I think I did a sort of double take. "OMG, a hawk!" 

Let me crop that for you!

Question is, is it a Sharp-shinned or a Cooper's hawk? <= this site provides some clues. 

That written, I still don't know! We had a Cooper's here before, confirmed by Gilligalou. 

Then, there was this one, a juvenile sharp-shinned hawk, on a cold afternoon. It was April, 2015. [Critters abound: hawk on the bird feeder!]

This is our sharp-shinned hawk.

This one hit the window, self-inflicted chasing a bird! It recovered, as Hooper watched over it. [Tornados, Cardinals, Butch, and a hawk!]

I got up, and went to the other window. By the time I remembered, on my new videocamera, that I had to manually open the lens cap, it was in flight. Hawk jan 2 

Before and after...

 We had a sunny day!

Nutmeg, AKA Killer, found herself a vole. They are so fat! They jump up to be as tall as they can, and bite their predator. Dorah used to get little nose bites. I tried to catch it in my handkerchief, it ran under the tree, but it slipped out. My ball cap worked!

Cinnamon wanted to smell her mouse breath!

Down the path he came. Walkies!

I love the greens, and Cinnamon cat  thought he spotted something.

We had 40 mm rain previously. No good for skating, though, as the weeds come through. The frog pond was quite solid! Cinnamon and Nutmeg love it.

The ice on the lakes isn't deep enough for snow machines. There was an incident nearby, but OPP, and a drone (to provide light), and firefighters, used a rescue boat to get the man to shore.

A 26-year old male had managed to pull himself out. A 57-year old male had attempted to climb onto the ice several times, only to fall through again. He was trapped in the water, with the other male struggling to prevent the victim from going under.

Before and after

The arbour, before and after...

I took the time to cut up and insert pine branches into the pot. This large branch fell in a storm. The birch was frozen into place in the large metal planter, and all I could do was stuff it in, hoping for the best.

I went down with the snowblower next day, and found the branches all tumbled over. 

I stuffed them back in, hoping for the best!

The snow is so pretty! Our home, before and after:

Critters galore: red fox!

But first, indoors, I cleaned the birdbath heater. It looks like it could be on its way out. It works well, with an automatic shutoff, as well as turn on automatically feature. It the birdbath dries up it turns itself off, as well. I have ordered a new one, as you never know when it will die on me [What else can go wrong? Part the 2nd]. This is what the oven element looked like when it fired up and had to be replaced! A little the worse for wear.

I'm proud of this hack. I ordered a new bird bath pump. It isn't necessary, but it keeps more oxygen in the water in summer. They come with that really nice LED light display. The old one had a larger outflow on which my old pieces of tubing fit. This gives it a nice bubble effect. This one is smaller than the defunct one. I took an old syringe, cut off the top, glued it to the pump. We'll see what happens. 

It is quick. Don't blink. Fox dec 6 Fox Dec 26: 

 

 Did you know it is far more effective if you turn ON the trailcam before you leave the site? That said, a new trailcam, insert old SD Card. I found a video from June 6th! It breaks the first rule my trailcam mentor Justin cautioned me on, about facing the camera north! It's pretty, though.

Red Fox June 6th:

We had 12 cm snow overnight. I must go out and shovel and refill the bird feeders!

Thanks to Eileen for hosting!

Saturday's Critters # 368

Farewell 2020, Welcome 2021!

 That was a year.  Many of us have adapted to this in amazingly creative ways. Let's hope this year will be better for those who are suffering. I keep reading stories about those who continue to suffer, with the added stress of a pandemic. For example, those receiving US Food Stamps, cannot take home delivery of groceries. I have tried to be supportive, and understand their journey. 

We've lots to be thankful for at our house. It's been challenging to get healthcare, but we succeeded. Having his cancer treatment in the parking lot in a snowstorm was a highlight! Fighting to get my cataracts done, so that I had 20-20 vision in 2020, was a major accomplishment. 

I have empathy for many who are unable to visit or travel to visit loved ones. Many have made sacrifices to keep us all safe. Most of us have adapted to this pandemic. I am proud of my hubby, and my kids and grandkids, who have worked really hard to make this journey easier for the grandkids. 

Technology has made all the difference. I am grateful for new developments. We've all learned Zoom, Webex, or Google Meet. We've learned protocols. 

My son, Jesse, has been good getting the kids on Facetime for us to chat with the grandies in Vancouver! They are moving targets!!! 

They had 'rainbow' bagels the other day.

On Facebook, Jess posted a yummy meal he made with leftover steak: JAPCHAE, AKA, Korean Glass Noodle Stir fry. Jess is a really good cook, as are my daughter and SIL. Caitlin saw Jesse's post on FB, and made it, as well! 

Caitlin and I have been playing online Scrabble! I love math!

I shoveled and we can see the sidewalk. There have been crazy temperature fluctuations. I take great joy in walking about.

This freeze/thaw/rain/snow days cannot be good for flora and fauna. The wetland greens are startling in winter.

The frog pond has lots of water. It's kissing the bottom of the dock. Cat walkies have been a wonderful release.

They began early! cats 

Cinnamon yells, "Wait for me!" JB and Cinnamon 

Cinnamon: