Month: May 2015

Fading Sink Tulips

Muskrats in the Spring

May 11, 2015 @ 2:28 pm

Spring is so brassy …

Spring is Big
Spring is Big

And sometimes, it brings muskrats …

Muskrat signs on the pond bottom – first of the season.  The fresh tan dirt on the normally dark bottom, indicates a muskrat has been holing out my bank nearby.

Tan dirt on pond bottom
Tan dirt on pond bottom
Tan dirt from ratty holing out my pond bank
Tan dirt from ratty holing out my pond bank

I found the hole – after 10 minutes or so of searching – had to bend up a pole to find it. It was narrower than others I’ve found.

Muskrat Hole Finding Tool
Muskrat Hole Finding Tool

So I grabbed a rusting #110 trap, set it, and placed it over the hole.  A stick helps keep it upright.  And a stake through the ring chained to the trap keeps everything from being carted away by other animals, or an animal wounded in the trap.  I think it’s usually fatal though.

A #110 Muskrat Trap set
A #110 Muskrat Trap set
Closer look
Taking a step back …
Some older nearby holes ...
Some older nearby holes …

I hope it hasn’t already eaten the water lily bulbs I put in earlier this spring.

The Queen Bee

May 11, 2015 @ 1:48 pm

Kath and Steve saw the queen yesterday.  All’s well.  Here’s a slew of pics of the bees, the insides of the hive, some bee people, and a big brown bee dog.  First comes the smoker, then opening the top, then the sugar feeder, then pulling the frames, to check status and hopefully, see the queen – which did occur.  Then replenishing the sugar water (they are not yet self sufficient).  Then closing up.  All is well.  And … they are as busy as bees!!!!

Also – the cooling vent was opened up.

Today

May 7, 2015 @ 10:19 am

Just finished watching a green heron eat a couple frogs.  What an appetite.  Explains why our amphibian pop is down this year.  It’s got these really big bright orange feet, big as clowns feet, that enable it to spread it’s weight out over the reeds.

Also, saw something round and thick laying on the reeds.  Brownish/Tannish in color.  Smooth.  Looked like a coil of a snake.  Or a mink, laying on top of the reeds.  Never figured out what it was.  Looked away for a bit.  Looked back to check on it, and it was gone.  Maybe the edge of the shell of a huge turtle?  Now I’m dreaming up stuff.

[It’s the day after, and I can clearly see that there’s a snake, in that exact same spot, sunning itself.  A big Northern Water Snake, I’d guess – seeing it through binocs from the deck.  Got to be the same critter – snakes return to favored spots in the sun.]

Here’s some pics, taken this morning.  Miles was with me, and is partially visible in one pic.  And, there’s always one of the Shots.  Wholly visible by the way.