Cheerful Sight

After weeks of unseasonably warm weather and what looked like a very early spring, temperatures plummeted and we got an inch or so of snow this weekend.  Although I was used to working out in the yard in 60-70 degree weather, I still got out and did a lot this past weekend...but what I want to share now are some of the photographs I got of birds in the snow.  Something that seemed to be lacking most of the winter.

I was thrilled to be out with camera in hand, and take shot after shot of the small flock of goldfinches perched in the largest dogwood in our front yard.  This dogwood has served me well (and wildlife well also)...I still recall fondly the various species that came in the fall for the berries.  What attracted the goldfinches here was many handy perches as they came for the black oil sunflower seeds I'd put out.

Bluebird Pair

The berries of the dogwood on the oldest tree were picked clean by the time we got back from Thanksgiving, but one of the dogwoods I put in early on is pretty big and has a substantial yield of berries.  

Jeff got into a cleaning spirit this morning, in preparation for Christmas decorating.  He moved a table by the window to make room for the tree.  I ended up cleaning the window inside and out.  When I took a break to eat, I sat by the window with the curtains drawn.  Looking out, I spotted the bluebirds above me on the power lines running to the house.  It was nice to see the female this time...I have to wonder how many are around.  So far, I know there were two males...and now a male and female.  I can only be sure of two males and a female until I'm lucky enough to see if there is a small flock of them around.

It is not as nice of a picture as I got of the males on the other tree, but at least I know they should be back for more berries in the days to come:

Cornus florida: Gotta Love It!

I am really fortunate.

The variety of birds I just witnessed coming to the berries of one of our flowering dogwood  trees (Cornus florida)  and the feelings they inspired make me realize how happy I am living here on this property with the man I love...and surrounded by the beauty of nature.  It renews my desire to make this a place of natural beauty that is attractive not only to us, but attracts wildlife that are also things of beauty.

After hearing the call of the pileated woodpecker again, I grabbed the camera and got a shot right before it flew off to the nearest telephone pole.  Chickadees and a titmouse caught my attention (although these were eating the sunflower seeds I'd put out).  Before I realized what I was seeing, a male bluebird arrived to get his share of the berries--it wasn't until I looked at the photos that I realized there were two of males.  Finally, a robin arrived to join the feast.  I have to wonder what I miss when not looking out the window.

Behold:

Although we've added at least a dozen more dogwoods to the property, this makes me want to add even more--why not?  We have the room.  They will make great additions to the woodlands edge where I'd already planned to add some.  The one on which the birds are perched was planted by a previous owner--it is pink, although I prefer the white; once the petals fade, I can't tell the difference, and neither can the birds.

A Honking Surprise

I was about to get into the car (on my way to collect more leaves--more on that later), when I heard an unfamiliar bird call.   The word that comes to mind to describe it is almost a honk...a nasally honk?  So, I look up, and I'm shocked to see what I believe was a pileated woodpecker!  Up until now I think I've only spotted one once, while I was walking in the woods in State College--this is a first for our yard!  I'm happy to document an increase in biodiversity!

The beautiful bird was attracted to the berries of the flowering dogwood--all of the dogwoods I know have flowers, but this one the most spectacular--Cornus florida.  I attempted to take a photo of it with my cellphone...which is not even worth posting here.  I partially closed the car door, walked slowly around the car, and the long way around to the front door.  Upon noticing me, it flew off to a nearby tree.  Grabbing the camera, I searched the surrounding area for it, but it had flown off, so I began my post, camera close at hand.  Sure enough, I heard the now familiar call, went to the window and tried to focus on my surprise visitor...only to be shocked that the call of a blue jay scared it off!  Still hopeful, I returned to continue to compose this post.  Luckily for me, it returned again--I guess those berries are as tempting as they are nutritious (from what I've read--and nutritious to birds, NOT humans!).  This time, I was able to get a picture to document my sighting...and now, with no more ado, I'll share it with you:

...Now, I did close the car door halfway through composing this, so I'm hoping I didn't drain the battery and can head out for more of those bags of leaves (which I've yet to post about).

Now We're Getting Somewhere!

I called in an order for flowering dogwood and Canadian hemlock...both of which I already have planted on our two acres. In addition to those, I ordered two natives that I've never grown before...and, to my knowledge, have never seen in nature (although, it is possible I've seen them and did not know what they were): dwarf chinkapin oak (Quercus prinoides), and American sweet crabapple (Malus coronaria).

I've been looking for this particular oak--which is supposed to produce acorns even when they are young--as early as 3-5 years old...and they produce them consistently every year. They are supposed to be a wildlife favorite.

I've never been too interested in crabapple trees--I've always pictured the exotic species that are sometimes used in landscaping. After reading about this native species, I thought I'd like to grow them. Aside from the flowers and fruits, they should make good nesting sites for birds.

I found a fairly local source (a couple of hours away)...the prices are very reasonable for bare root seedlings. They are sold in units of 25 seedlings per unit...so, I will have quite a lot to plant come April!

Oh, and happy first day of spring. Today is the Vernal Equinox. It feels more like summer than spring though...with temperatures in the 70s this week.

They Should ALL be Caged!

I can't be sure if it was just my normal procrastinating nature or disappointment over what happened that has kept me from posting this, but here goes: I was out in the yard, after a snow, looking for animal tracks and basically anything of interest, when I checked up on the dogwood I had planted in what will be our woodland. I was disappointed to see that the rabbits had eaten around the bark, which will likely kill the young tree--at least the upper portion. I am hoping it will grow from below where they ate.

For three years, the rabbits never bothered the first five dogwoods I put in. A deer did nibble the twigs on one of them, but has left the rest alone. I put six more in this year and did nothing to protect them. Now after seeing the damage that the rabbits did to this one, I protected the other young ones the best I could without running out to buy more fencing. Aluminum foil, should foil those bunnies!

I do have cages around many of my tree seedlings--especially around those that I know are readily eaten by deer or rabbits.

There is more to this story. I was planning to save this for a series of posts I planned to create called "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", but here it is: Although the 3-year-old black gum tree seedlings I put in the first spring that we were here were not bothered by the rabbits and only a few were *lightly browsed* by the deer, I found that only the tag is left of the one that I planted under the forsythia bushes that I'm in the process of removing. ~sigh~ Here's hoping that it will come up from below as well!

I've yet to put a cage around all of the trees and shrubs I've put in, but perhaps I should. One thing I've learned from this is that anything planted where there is cover needs more protection than those planted where it is more open.


The black gum before.


All that is left is the tag.


The damage to the dogwood.

It Feels Like Spring! :)

I was out in the yard yesterday, and I even sawed off three overgrown forsythia that I've been wanting to remove. After cutting them to the ground, I pushed them back some, but left them in place to provide cover for the birds. One or two branches that had been in contact with the ground had rooted which made it rather difficult to move this one unrelenting trunk.

It was around 50, and I had to take off my jacket and go around in a T-shirt, but it wasn't until today, which is colder, that it really reminded me of spring. I think the sun had a lot to do with it. :)

I planted two more dogwood in the area (a total of three) and a black gum seedling. I wanted to cut back the forsythia (and remove its roots in the spring) to keep it from shading the black gum. Although the deer don't tend to do more than "lightly" browse" the black gum seedlings I put in the first year here, I put more twigs from the forsythia around it to protect it. The sooner it can grow to sexual maturity the better. I want berries to feed the birds. Like hollies and some other trees, the male and female flowers are on separate trees. I have no way of knowing at this point if this one is male or female. So far I have seven black gum on the property--all of which I planted. I planted five the first year, lost one, and planted 3 more this year.




before

after

Toad

Today I planted another of the six dogwoods we bought last weekend. I realize that I've not posted about that nor the pictures of those that I've already planted. I've planted four so far.

Also, it has occurred to me that I'm not really using my blog as a gardening journal--which I should be. Early on, I decided that I would post as many pictures as possible. I hate to type anything without an accompanying picture. Sometimes, I have to crop a picture, rotate it, or edit a video. Other times, I just don't have the energy or desire to type. Most days when the weather is good, I'm out there enjoying the yard or getting something done, I just don't always post about it...so, this blog is my incomplete gardening journal--but it is more than I've ever done before.

Anyway, today while digging a hole for the dogwood, I spotted a toad nearby. I'm assuming my digging disturbed him. Anyway, here is his (or her) picture: