Wild Violets

I found this clump of wild violets growing at the base of a wall at our barn.

Baby Geese

The first baby Canada Geese of this season on Miner's Pond.

Raccoon Relocation

Grandson Reed checks out another raccoon trapped near a turkey nesting area on our property.



Reed and the raccoon size up each other prior to the release at a new location.



Hopefully the raccoon won't return to the nesting area.

Planting Time

Even though the weather outside was in the low 30's and some snow, it will soon be time to plant our garden. Our grandson Reed helped me start some tomato seeds in our solarium. Step #1, distribute the seeds evenly in the starter tray.



Step #2, lightly cover the seeds and press the soil around the seeds.



Step #3, water starter tray and clean off hands. Step #4, place the starter tray in a warm/sunny location and wait for the plants to develop their first set of leaves. Step #5, transplant the seedlings to individual containers to grow in prior to planting in the garden.



Meanwhile, at our West Hill property, Bob Wilmot was chisel plowing the corn field.

Superheroes vs. the Bird

A young Robin was determined to forcibly enter our house by crashing into our window. We're not sure of the bird's motive for smashing into the window, but after a couple of hours it was time to call for help from some superheroes.



Since the superhero Spiderman (AKA Reed) was visiting us, he offered his help.



Spiderman takes aim with his web shooter to capture the villain "Birdman".



Birdman was stronger than Spiderman's web and escaped. Michelangelo, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, defends the house from attacks by Birdman.




At the end of the day Birdman was planning his next attack.

Waterfowl at the Pond

We took our grandson to the pond near our cabin so he could feed the Canada geese. There were only two geese on the pond and Reed, being a typical 3 year old, started to mock the geese by flapping his arms like wings and making "honking" sounds. He may not have impressed the geese, but he did call in a male Mallard duck that landed on the pond.



I was hoping to get closer to the Mallard for pictures, but the typical 3 year old had other plans on getting closer to the duck and geese. The Mallard flew off after about 20 minutes.

Snow Day

We woke up to 4 inches of heavy/wet snow covering the neighborhood, then our power went off. The Internet router stayed up until the battery backup system ran out. With no cell phone service in this area it left me with only a land line and old rotary phone to check on the outside world. Time to take some snow pictures.

Mourning Dove Update

The two inches of snow that fell overnight had melted off by the time I checked the Mourning Dove nest. The two baby doves now have their feathers and will soon leave the nest.

Deer at the Pond

The temperature was still in the 30's for most of today and the sun came out long enough to melt the snow from last night. The Canada geese weren't at our cabin pond when I checked, but I did find some deer getting a drink from the pond.

Snow & Turkey

Winter-like weather moved in overnight and this turkey looked confused as he wandered through our lawn.



I was only able to get a couple of photos through the window of this bird. This is the second time the turkeys have walked by this window and I may have to remove the window screen for better photos.

Geese on the Pond

I've been making daily visits to our pond and I'm now able to get close to the geese. They must think of me as a food source since I bring corn for them.

Mourning Dove Chicks

It was warm enough this afternoon that the nesting Mourning Dove would let me see the chicks.



Mourning Doves hatch within 12 to 14 days and grow fast. These chicks have their pin feathers and will leave the nest in a couple of weeks. Mourning Doves can have up to 6 batches of chicks during a summer.

Mourning Doves

The overnight temperature dropped to 27°F and when I checked the Mourning Dove nest this morning I found both doves on the nest.



When one of the doves flew off the nest it became clear that both doves were trying to keep their young chicks warm. One of the new chicks, with pin feathers, is visible in the lower right of the photo.



Back on the chicks to keep them warm.

Reed Meets Possum

Grandson Reed has been helping me check my trap for the past week. No luck trapping until today. This is the fifth possum (AKA opossum) that I've caught at this same location.



Reed checking out the possum in the trap.

Mourning Dove Nest

I checked the Mourning Dove nest today to see if any of the eggs had hatched. It was cooler today and the dove was still on the nest, but I did see some movement along the edge of the bird. (Lower right of photo)

Geese at the Pond

Some Canada Geese have been staying at our cabin pond this spring. I'm not sure if they have a nest here, but our grandson Reed and I have been putting out corn for them.



The geese now swim toward my truck when they see it.



The geese got within 5 yard of the truck today when it started to rain. The wind and rain were so strong the geese had a hard time standing.

Exploring Nature with Reed

Today was warm and sunny. A perfect day to explore Nature with our grandson Reed. You never know what Reed will find.



This garter snake was soaking up some sun when Reed wanted to check it out.



This was a very friendly, docile snake that Reed wanted to take home as a new pet, and show grandma. (Not a good idea)



Reed could have played with the snake all day. It took a lot of explaining to convince him to leave the snake in the area we found it.

Spring Turkeys

Our grandson Reed has been visiting us for the past week and I've been driving around our property trying to locate some wild turkeys for him to see. This morning the turkeys came to us. Reed watching the turkeys from our dining room.



As we watched, the turkeys moved closer to the house.



Just a few feet out the living room window.



After about 15 minutes the turkeys continued to explore the neighborhood.

Playing in the Dirt

Our grandson Reed got a chance to drive one of grandpa's tractors today.



The key word is "WE".