On the deck and down under

You'll recall we visited the Stewart Park Music Festival July 14 - 16th this month. It was sad to read that there have been some reports of COVID breakouts amongst musicians, volunteers and attendees. Maybe a couple dozen cases, but who knows? Our health unit isn't testing anymore, nor tracking cases other than in long-term care. It really is disappointing. We are fine, having just walked around briefly. 

It has been glorious in the safety of the back deck. The foliage is amazing. We were graced by the presence of a Question Mark butterfly. They, and the Eastern Comma, like to lay eggs in the vine, on the yummy leaves.

Look at the size of the leaves! 

It really is wonderful to see who exists in this habitat. These two hung out there all day.

This is, I think, a Tiger Moth caterpillar. They have various colours, so it is tricky to identify them.

This one has morphed. I am way too tired and stressed with all that is going on to do any research. We will be happy to see whomever visits us. There are lots of them on the hops vine.

caterpillar from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

It is Tiger Lily season! I have mercilessly picked off the lily bugs, and the plants have survived. They make me so happy.

Then there is Fred. They have dug another entrance hole under the deck. That makes 3 entrances. There is a well-trod path to the lilac tree which provides safety.

Fred July 21 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

P.S. We're back in the smoke.

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The Fearsome Foursome Flyers are in Australia. Meanwhile, at home, their kitchen renos are coming along. The other gramma is there, taking photos and monitoring progress for them. They have walls and a new half wall, plumbing and electrical are done!

They headed off to Bondi Beach, but first visited Vinnie's, AKA St. Vincent de Paul. This was their plan, to buy some warmer clothes for the trip, and leave them behind. It makes packing much easier! 

bondi beach from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

It makes me happy seeing them enjoy the beach!

The hops vine, nature, our flyers

 Summer is full on now. Tree frog has been sleeping on the deck railing, under the hops vine. 

The leaves are habitat for many critters. It is a massive display this year. 

The catbird is a frequent flyer. She likes the lilac tree. They hide in there, and swoop down to eat the bugs.

The cats are often helpful to warn of danger. Cinnamon had his morning run, then sat on the deck. I looked, but didn't see anything!

I was out at 5:30 yesterday morning. The moths have been visiting the flowers.

Xylophanes tersa Tersa Sphinx

We've a bee nest in the roof atop the garage.

bee nest from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We've an eastern kingbird:

eastern kingbird from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I went out back and spotted a buck. He did not appear on the video, even though he was right in front of the camera. We haven't seen any deer in weeks. The deerflies are too bad.    

fred has a new exit from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The cats thought they'd inspect it.

 

cats from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Nearby, the gun demonstration pissed off a whole bunch of neighbours. BBQ, free t-shirts, guns, little kids crying covering their ears. Maybe 25 people, we heard. They let people shoot. I taped it. No licence to have a gun range. The Chief Firearms Officer claims she has no control over it, as it is unlicenced. Complaints have been filed with the OPP. 

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The Fiercesome Foursome Flyers are in Australia now. Their B & B had a pool!

They visited the Taronga Zoo. 

Josephine adores reptiles! She was in heaven. 

This was really fun! Watch until the end! 

 

pelican from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Dinner on the patio

 Thursday, July 20

We took a chance, and headed out for dinner, hoping for a waterside view. 

The trick is to navigate the parking lot! It looked somewhat empty, which boded well for a waterside table. This is my summer dream, to eat beside the water.

We snagged one! 

The problem is that they have a new sponsorship program whereby a company can now reserve tables on the patio. This has never been done before. It means we cannot be seated at particular tables if they are reserved by the sponsors, family or friends.

The water was busy.

This is the bay between the land and the island. It is usually inhabited by geese and growing goslings. I spotted a sailboat tacking, but by the time I affixed the zoom lens, the sailboat was out of sight!

By the time we left, it was filling up.

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The kids are in Australia now.