The Duck Report - now with more tragic chipmunks
More tales from the hinterland under the cut.
Duck Report 42 July 7th 2021
Yesterday the dogs and I went for a walk in the woods. It was only a short walk as both they and I were under stress from the extreme heat, but what was interesting was that the entire canopy in the woods is gone thanks to the caterpillars. This produces a very weird light through the trees, but also allows the seedlings on the wood floor to flourish. I have never seen so many new seedlings growing under what should be a heavy canopy. My most devastated trees are re-leafing thanks, in part, to all the rain we are having. I think the daily rain may well save much of our tree vegetation as they are far less stressed with good moisture and warmth to help them along.
Between showers today I managed to pull up all the remaining pea plants and have been podding peas all morning. The kids (blythe note: a.k.a. the sheep) saw me with a barrow full of pea plants and came rushing to meet me in the field. They all really love pea plants and also get pea pods in their evening meal; what spoiled babies they are!
Twix has a little thrush in the front hoof. Bad Joan has not been cleaning hooves enough. So I dressed the frog with Coppertox, padded it, and wrapped the whole thing with pink vet wrap and black Duck Tape. (blythe note: classy, Mum) He is very proud of his new decorations. I am finding it harder to hold his hooves up and clean them although he is very helpful and lifts them all as I move around him.
Duck Report 43 9th July 2021
Due to all the wet weather, I have been sitting here knitting and watching the birds. The baby birds are actually playing just like animals do. I have 4 x 4 posts at the base of the front stairs capped with round wood balls on a short neck. The little birds play on these with one sitting on top while another walks around underneath the ball then they try and catch each other.
Today has been a weeding day as the constant rain has doubled the size of the weeds. I spent 3 hours weeding the side garden. Weed pulling is so easy when the ground is really wet.
I ordered new ankle boots from Rockfish and they arrived yesterday. Both Michael and I had a pair which sprung leaks this spring. We enjoyed them so much I decided to try and replace them. These people are really on the ball as I ordered them Friday and they arrived the following Thursday and I managed to get the correct sizes.
Yesterday was a bumper day as the plumber arrived in the middle of a thunderstorm and repaired the automatic water trough. They had never dealt with an item like this and were very intrigued when I showed them how to put it back together.
I caught a chipmunk and a raccoon overnight so had to do a relocation run with the pair of them.
Duck Report 44 14th July 2021
The chipmunks had an exciting day today. I caught five and relocated them, and Roxie Rocket Ship decided to raid the cage for the sixth and actually caught it and ate it. It would seem puppies cannot grow and survive without live meat to ensure they are bright and snappy when born. (blythe note: firstly, GROSS. secondly, Roxie is definitely pregnant *clappy hands*)
I spent most of yesterday afternoon on hold for Revenue Canada. When I did get a live body they seem to think Michael has received his tax refund. Now we have to lay a legal paper trail so they can sort out the problem. I don’t know why it is but Michael always has a problem with his tax returns. It’s not his fault but something always seems to go astray. This is the third year in a row something has happened and it always involves his refund. Makes you wonder if they do it on purpose. (blythe note: I'm certain they do >:\)
Duck Report 42 July 7th 2021
Yesterday the dogs and I went for a walk in the woods. It was only a short walk as both they and I were under stress from the extreme heat, but what was interesting was that the entire canopy in the woods is gone thanks to the caterpillars. This produces a very weird light through the trees, but also allows the seedlings on the wood floor to flourish. I have never seen so many new seedlings growing under what should be a heavy canopy. My most devastated trees are re-leafing thanks, in part, to all the rain we are having. I think the daily rain may well save much of our tree vegetation as they are far less stressed with good moisture and warmth to help them along.
Between showers today I managed to pull up all the remaining pea plants and have been podding peas all morning. The kids (blythe note: a.k.a. the sheep) saw me with a barrow full of pea plants and came rushing to meet me in the field. They all really love pea plants and also get pea pods in their evening meal; what spoiled babies they are!
Twix has a little thrush in the front hoof. Bad Joan has not been cleaning hooves enough. So I dressed the frog with Coppertox, padded it, and wrapped the whole thing with pink vet wrap and black Duck Tape. (blythe note: classy, Mum) He is very proud of his new decorations. I am finding it harder to hold his hooves up and clean them although he is very helpful and lifts them all as I move around him.
Duck Report 43 9th July 2021
Due to all the wet weather, I have been sitting here knitting and watching the birds. The baby birds are actually playing just like animals do. I have 4 x 4 posts at the base of the front stairs capped with round wood balls on a short neck. The little birds play on these with one sitting on top while another walks around underneath the ball then they try and catch each other.
Today has been a weeding day as the constant rain has doubled the size of the weeds. I spent 3 hours weeding the side garden. Weed pulling is so easy when the ground is really wet.
I ordered new ankle boots from Rockfish and they arrived yesterday. Both Michael and I had a pair which sprung leaks this spring. We enjoyed them so much I decided to try and replace them. These people are really on the ball as I ordered them Friday and they arrived the following Thursday and I managed to get the correct sizes.
Yesterday was a bumper day as the plumber arrived in the middle of a thunderstorm and repaired the automatic water trough. They had never dealt with an item like this and were very intrigued when I showed them how to put it back together.
I caught a chipmunk and a raccoon overnight so had to do a relocation run with the pair of them.
Duck Report 44 14th July 2021
The chipmunks had an exciting day today. I caught five and relocated them, and Roxie Rocket Ship decided to raid the cage for the sixth and actually caught it and ate it. It would seem puppies cannot grow and survive without live meat to ensure they are bright and snappy when born. (blythe note: firstly, GROSS. secondly, Roxie is definitely pregnant *clappy hands*)
I spent most of yesterday afternoon on hold for Revenue Canada. When I did get a live body they seem to think Michael has received his tax refund. Now we have to lay a legal paper trail so they can sort out the problem. I don’t know why it is but Michael always has a problem with his tax returns. It’s not his fault but something always seems to go astray. This is the third year in a row something has happened and it always involves his refund. Makes you wonder if they do it on purpose. (blythe note: I'm certain they do >:\)