May 2017

By the Side Door

May 24, 2017 Family, Nature

Some of the pretty things Jerie has growing around our side door ..

Muskrats – the battle begins

May 24, 2017 Nature, Trapping

Down at the pond, this morning … I found some muskrat tells … 3 lily pads, separated at the base of the stem, from the tuber.  Meaning it was likely done by a muskrat gnawing on the tuber. They were all in the same spot – the NW corner, where I’d found a single lily pad 2 days back. So – I called the trapper – leaving a phone number this time.  And, he called back.  But … he’s outRead More

Summer Pond in Neon Blue

May 23, 2017 Drones, Nature

Set your resolution to either 1080p or 720p.  Else it’s not worth watching … Best bits from some pond videos.  Shot in the summertime.  In our backyard.  On some simply gorgeous days.  Nature is simply too stunning to ignore.  Vids made with two craft:  1) a Phantom 3 Professional  2) and a custom built drone sporting a Hero 3 Black camera.  All done in 1080p 60fps.

Winter Spring Pond Diary

May 23, 2017 Family, Nature, Trapping

Tue May 23 Nice Last night … there were 5 new water lilies just breaching the surface with 1-2 pads.  Here’s a couple of those … No signs of decimation in the existing lilies.  Looking good.  Two different views … Saw a minnow.  And – always seeing activity under the lily pads. That’s either the minnows or blue gills.  Pretty sure it’s the minnows though.  But the surface is so occluded with stuff from the surrounding trees and shrubs that visibilityRead More

Pond at Sunset

May 22, 2017 Nature

The pond, cats, dogs, some water lilies and … muskrats?

May 21, 2017 Nature

Walking down to the pond this morning, without the dogs as I got to within 80′ or so, I saw our two muskrat hunting cats (LittleShot and BigShot) peering out of the reeds blanketing the banks on the west side of the pond. They were looking my way – to see if I had the dogs with me – as Charlie will go charging into the reeds after the cats – if I don’t catch him in time. So glad theyRead More

Gnarly Beauty – Grape Vines in Spring

May 11, 2017 Nature

Jerie’s got these vines nicely trimmed out.  I’ve yet to start the weekly spraying though.  Better not wait much longer.

Just another day … in paradise

May 9, 2017 Nature

Taken this morning.  Gorgeous sunshine.  Wondering where the frogs are.  See that the water lilies look a bit goose ravaged, but not exhibiting the wholesale lethal slaughter muskrats can carry out.  Fingers crossed.

Canadian Geese Yesterday – abused water lilies today

May 8, 2017 Nature, Trapping

Yowsa – went down to the pond this morning – and found 3 loose water lily pads floating.  Left a message for the muskrat trapper.  Then started to think a bit more – what else could do this?  And the light went on, and I started googling – yeah. We had Canadian Geese on the pond yesterday.  And today, water lily damage.  Hmmm.  And the various net gurus say – Geese love aquatic plants – including water lilies.  And especiallyRead More

Blossoms, Branches and …

May 3, 2017 Family, Nature

In bloom New growth Of interest Visitors  and …