Bat in Attic in Winter and Pest Control Guy

 

Bat in our attic in February. I thought they migrated somewhere in Winter.

Saturday February 22, 2025,  I enter our attic with idea of putting a screen over the opening beneath the roof vent so as to prevent possibility of bats entering via that. However, I discovered a bat hanging on a roof rafter. His fur seemed to have a patch of grey or white hair. My research has lead me to believe the bats in our area migrate to a warmer clime in the Fall and return in Spring. Not this one. So I called a pest control guy and he came over this morning (Thursday February 27). Now the bat was nowhere to be seen, but we were not prepared to move through the attic to locate it either. The past week or 10 days the temps have been below zero here, reaching 10 below one night. Of course the attic would  warmer and the bat must be hibernating n our attic. BUT, days later it wasn't in view. I learned that bats will arouse every couple weeks during hibernation and move around.

This close up of bat was cropped from the wider view photo above.

The bat guy said he could find NO evidence of bat activity in our attic. If not for the photos he wouldn't believe there was ever a bat in there.  

One more thing. I have read in many different web sites that bat's do not stay in attics because they are too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Instead they go down in the walls. Sometimes these walls will lead into the basement and bats find themselves there.

Pileated Woodpecker In Our Yard Today

This pileated woodpecker was in our yard for about half an hour today. Snapped the photo with a 500mm f8 Minolta lens on a Sony a6600 camera. Weather was 25 degrees, overcast and gloomy. Difficult getting a good photo of the bird without scaring it off.  We met my brothers Al & Ron, and sister Suzy for lunch at Jeb's Restaurant in Lowville. About an hours drive from our Chaumont house given the sloppy, winter road conditions. Son Troy and his girlfriend and couple others happened to be there too. 

Pileated Woodpecker at our Chaumont, NY home. 

Oil Portrait of Gary Walts With Guitar

 Saturday February 8, 2025 at Orion Art Gallery, Mullin St,Watertown, NY. I pose with an oil paint portrait of me created by artist Jerry Merrill, Rodman, NY.  

Orion Art Gallery Feb 8,  2025

I was very honored that Jerry Merrill did this portrait of me. It will be a prized possession.

This day was Orion's winter art show and festival. One of the local radio stations was on hand broadcasting from the event. I did a short on air interview. Overall a great little event. 

Snowy Day, I Shovel Driveway, Chaumont, NY

 

Initial path shoveled in snow in our driveway.

It was a blustery, snow day here in Chaumont, NY today. High temperature was 21. I spent about two hours shoveling our sidewalk and driveway. It was windy and cold but I enjoyed being out in the crisp fresh air. My right shoulder has been bothering me much lately with a chronic pain. Shoveling snow however didn't aggravate it. 

Self portrait at end of our driveway, neighbor Jim's house is behind me. 

2 hours after I began our driveway is cleared of snow. 

PHOTOS: Snow Plow Truck Damages Rear Stairs at Clay St Apartment House

Plow truck driver pushed snow to extraordinary distance, plowing almost entire backyard.

Friday February 7, 2025 a snow plow truck was moving snow in our Clay St house driveway and hit a corner of the rear stairway. Very upsetting. This past September or October I rebuilt a portion of the stairs and I now need to do it again. I'm trying to sell the place and don't need such setbacks. I don't provide snow removal which is partly why we keep our rents a little lower. Tenants fend for themselves. However, I do go there and shovel snow anyway. As a result I've had some tenants over the years get friends with plows to do the driveway. Such was the case on this day. I have noticed my whole life how snow plow truck drivers like to show off by moving lots of snow in a short amount of time. They go to extremes plowing beyond the driveway perimeter, often tearing up the lawn and doing other damage as well. Such was the case here. 

Stairs damaged by an aggressive snow plow truck driver. 418 Clay St, Watertown.

Stairs damaged by an aggressive snow plow truck driver. 418 Clay St, Watertown.

Stairs damaged by an aggressive snow plow truck driver. 418 Clay St, Watertown.