Wascally Wabbits

This could explain why I haven't harvested any Swiss chard from my garden.

I relocated this wascally wabbit to a new location where the neighbors what to invite it over for dinner.

Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

On this morning's wildlife drive with Grandson Reed, we found a Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly near the cabin pond. Reed wanted to keep the butterfly as a pet, but since the Baltimore Checkerspot is listed as "rare, threatened, and endangered", I convinced him it was best to release the butterfly where we found it.

Reed also posted his butterfly photo on his blog "https://reed2016.blogspot.com/".

Fledgling Owl

I was out for a morning ATV ride with Grandson Reed and Grandma when we found a pile of bird feathers along the trail. It appeared to be a dead owl. A short distance down the trail we found this fledgling owl. I was only able to get two photos before the young owl flew off. I think it is a fledgling great horned owl.

Reed was able to get this photo with his camera. He also did the photo editing of this picture.

Turkey Selfie Photos

I pulled the game camera memory cards yesterday from the cameras at my turkey blind. I got some great photos of this big guy taking selfie photos in front of the game camera. Spring turkey season lasted throughout May and I think he was taunting me with photos like this during the hunting season.

West Hill Bathtub

Back to West Hill property to check the game cameras. Mama bear and the cubs were back to the bathtub watering hole again.

As mama looked for food, the cubs continue to play in the old bathtub.

The bathtub has filled with sediment over the past year and with the temperature forecast to be in the 90's this week, it's time to clean out the tub.

My helper, grandson Reed with his new fiend.

Reed wanted to take this bullfrog home as a pet, but the frog had other ideas.

West Hill Bears

Went to our West Hill property today and got the memory cards from the game cameras.

Found this bear checking out the old bathtub watering hole.

The bear started flipping the rocks along the road.

Two young bear cubs came over to see what mama bear found under the rocks.

Mama bear started to leave but the cubs saw the bathtub full of water ...

Like most kids, baby bears like to play in the water.

Killdeer Chicks

Today, at summer camp with the grandparents, grandson Reed gets to experience Killdeer chicks hatching.

For the last month I've observed a pair of Killdeers nesting at our cabin property.

This morning, around 10:00AM, the first of the four chicks hatched.

By 11:00AM two more chicks had hatched.

The first hatched chick is on the right, next to an empty eggshell.

A few minutes later the first hatched chick escapes the nest.

Chicks #2 and #3 remain in the nest with the unhatched egg.

Chick #1 only traveled a short distance before it needed a rest.

Chick #1 returned to the nest after a rest.

Chick #1 rejoins chicks #2, #3 and the unhatched egg for a short stay.

While chick #1 exited the nest again, chicks #2 and #3 remained as chick #4, in the background, hatched.

By 6:30PM all 4 chicks were back in the nest.

Reed's Summer

Grandson Reed will be spending his summer vacation with us. His first day of summer camp with the grandparents was a busy one.

While brush-hogging a hay field I found this baby rabbit.

Reed wanted to keep the bunny as a pet, but eventually released it in a safer location.

High on Reed's "to-do" list was find turtles. He found this one on the road to our cabin.

After applying his brand on the turtle it was released along the road where it was found.

While releasing the prior turtle he found another one. This one was branded with Reed's identification and released.

Meal Time

While driving over Wysox Creek today I noticed a deer standing in the middle of the creek.

Upon further inspection I could see a fawn nursing.

Meal is over and time to hide.

Bear in the Neighborhood

I stopped at the "Bone Yard" today to drop off some more filleted trout carcasses and check the memory cards on the game cameras. A bear visited the "Bone Yard" for a meal on May 24th, but the ravens, raccoons and opossums had cleaned out the food supply. Not sure if this is the same bear I saw yesterday in the neighbor's garbage can.