A Hard Working Couple

The lady of the Nuthatch couple did agreed to use the nest box mentioned in the previous post. For a solid three days, she worked feverishly at lining the box with nesting material. This consisted almost entirely of inner bark shreds. And while she was busy with the soft furnishings, the male was busy securing the perimeter. He did this by wiping stinky and/or sticky items around the outside of the box and the surrounding tree surface. In her spare moments, she too dabbed make-shift repellents around their home. Through my binoculars, I saw them use mushed caterpillars, beetles, tree leaf buds and what looked like fur from an owl pellet. Red squirrels now avoid the areas where the 'repellent' was applied. Aren't they clever?!!

Mrs. McNutty hauls home another load of soft furnishing.

The McNutties pause their chores to make sure a foraging red squirrel moves on.

He divides a peanut before delivering the pieces to his mate.

I know that look! He's asking for another handful of peanuts!

A doe and her yearling have returned to our property from their wintering grounds.

A male Northern 'Yellow-Shafted' Flicker pecks through an old sumac bob.

Pussy willows stand at attention for Spring role call.

A real pussy (neighbourhood Romeo) has found a sunny patch.

Over the winter I've developed a new addiction. Kale chips! The crunchy texture and cheesy taste really hits the spot for me. And it's also good nutrition. Win, win!

I absolutely love these home baked kale chips.

I made these masks for grocery runs. The draw strings are candle wicking.