Critter, critter, critter, everywhere a critter

Toady Junior as he was the first of the toads.  I was pulling grass that had straggled into my vegetable patch.  I am glad I was pulling and not digging as I woke up this lil guy.  I walked lil Toady to the newly built Toad House and gently placed him at the front door and in he hopped. 

Meet Toady Senior as he was awake and lively as you can see by his desire to escape my hand.  He had been enjoying the warm, damp area under a covered portion of the freshly tilled dirt.  I placed Toady Senior at the doorstep of the already booked Toad House and he hopped right inside.  I have no idea if toads like to have roomies or if Toady Junior was still inside.   

On the way to the garden shed this afternoon I found yet another toad.  This one wide awake and hopping away from my feet.  I found him hiding in a dark place in the shed and plunked down a third toad in front of the now famous Toad House. 

I think we may be needing more toad houses in our yard, or as hubby suggested perhaps a condo!

While digging and pulling in the same spot I uncovered a

I carefully avoided the shovel and fork for quite a time until I was certain the Ladybug was out of the digging area. 

I found way more worms than I could count and tossed them into the centre of the garden for the baby Mourning Dove and Momma and Daddy Robin to feast upon and feed their young. 

I saw a medium and a small garden spider then were in the same clump as the ladybug and the sleepy toad.  8 grubs and made sure that I squished them then tossed them to the Robin's as well. 
I saw two birds that are regular visitors to my bird feeder that I am still trying to identify:

The bottom one with the white/pale yellow wing colour has a cool whistle sound that he repeats while at the feeder, usually on the ground. 

I am ok with the squirrels as long as they stay off the feeder and eat what is on the ground.  We have this one and a regular black squirrel.  The crows don't like them and chase them away as they have a nest at the top of the large spruce. 

I live in an Amish community and love to hear the sound klip klop on the ashphalt, so I just had to snap this photo of my neighbour coming up the street. 

Transplanted the sunflowers to the sunflower outline for the sunflower house.  Planted some seeds and put stakes up for the identification until they sprout. 

Watched two Mourning Doves build a nest in my neighbour's eavetrough, it was comical to see the male bopping about my garden pulling at grass and twigs to fly up to the female.  Saw two large bumble bees buzzing about and visiting the flowers that are remaining of the spring. 

The young Mourning Dove has been named Birdie by some young folks and she has been a constant neighbour staying in the yard and enjoying the safe place she has adopted as her home. 

Chatted with an elderly neighbour as he was walking up the street, he is recovering from a broken hip over the winter, so I take the time to chat with him whenever I am out in the garden.  I offered him berries off the plants when they produce fruit if he can get from the road up the curb to the fence. 

 I took apart a soon to be trellis and created a privacy screen once my Silver Lacevine takes hold and fills it all in nicely. 

The day began cloudy and overcast but warm and eventually got very warm and the sun came to join in the fun! 

Did some digging in the garden and finally got the grass out of the vegetable area.  It was very invasive and is now out the back around the compost pile. 

I began rediscovering the patio stones that were once a focal point I am guessing in this garden for the folks who laid them.  I am in the process of digging them out of the grass, weeds and numerous ants that seem to be in the soil.  I use a baking soda, corn starch and icing sugar mixture to try and keep their numbers down as they bite! 

It is amazing to me how much noise Momma Robin is able to make with her mouth full food!  Did no one ever tell her is it rude to talk with food in your mouth?

Had a terrific day in the garden and accomplished LOTS!  Also was able to get the netting up for the hops to grow over and give some much needed shade to my quiet sitting area in the summer.  I have put empty starter containers clipped with clothespins to warn the birds that there is a danger nearby. 

The long weekend plan is to get the vegetable garden ready for planting and get the much anticipated growing season started.  My transplants are looking pretty sparse but we do what we can and work with what we have. 

Enjoy the weekend and be sure to dig in the dirt!

Lady of the Oak