Category: Wildlife

Fiber for wildlife

On By CarynIn Life Hack, Wildlife

Someone had a really great idea using a suet holder as a cage for fiber for birds to use in their nests. I bought two suet cages and filled one with scraps of wool fiber, and the other with washed alpaca.

Suet feeders used as fiber cages

The birds may utilize it, but I’m really putting it out for our squirrels. I have been strewing alpaca fiber across the branches and bark of the trees. This seems a much neater option.

Fiber filled suet cage near the squirrel feeder
Alpaca fiber filled suet cage

I’m hoping that by providing fiber the squirrels stop trying to shred my ropes. I think the natural fiber has been warmer and better for raising kits, as we have seen two young squirrels at the feeder this year.

Coyotes

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Did a trail cam check, saw pictures of two different coyotes where we haven’t seen coyotes before, up in the meadow near the chicken coop. Mostly we see cats, armadillo, raccoon, and opossum, with an occasional fox in this area. Down in the back woods, were there used to be a small trickle of a stream, we would see pictures of deer and bobcat and coyote as well, but not in the meadow.

Healthy looking coyote
Not as healthy looking coyote

Saying that it has been dry here doesn’t really cover it. The word drought gets close, but doesn’t have enough soul wrenching connotation to encompass the brittle brown fields, plumes from the wild fires, and the ribs showing through on domestic and wild life.

Melon Guardians

On By CarynIn Garden, Wildlife

We have melons on the vine! And diligent guardians watching out for bugs.

Frog guardians on an Aspire melon
Another frog guardian

After taking the pictures, I did tie up some netting slings, then sprayed the bottom of the netting with Neem oil, where the frogs can’t patrol. Then I found the frog convention.

Frog melon convention
Day two of the convention, I counted 8 attendees

I wonder what they talk about in their conventions. Are there speakers giving fine points on camouflage? Maybe break out groups discussing the merits of earwigs vs slugs?

Ironclad beetle

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Hello my precious! I have spotted another ironclad beetle on our property, specifically on the house trim by the back door. This is the seventh beetle I have seen in four years.

Ironclad beetle (Zopherus nodulosus)

I relocated this one out in the woods since we do use chemicals around the house to keep out the ants and scorpions.

Frogs on a log

On By CarynIn Garden, Wildlife
Tree frogs

My stock tank garden really is a frog haven, with the little pond (old dish), shade (melon vines and basil), food (bugs that eat my melons), and rest areas (branches to lead the vines to the fence). I thought these two were quite cute.