Rocks: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

Over the past few weeks, I have been moving rocks from various spots on our property to use for my pond/stream/waterfall project.  In some cases, I am hauling them from clear across the property to the water feature--approximately 300 ft. away.

I realize, there are times that the rocks I am moving are possibly providing shelter to some critters--if I see ants nesting under something, I have, on occasion, just left the rock in place; if it is one I feel I really need, I will put another, less (desirable looking) rock in its place.

Yesterday, I raised this goldmine on our property.  I suspect that previous owners dumped rocks on the slope while clearing the field.  I only wish I thought to take a BEFORE picture before tipping the top rock on its end:

As I have done for years, I will rework a structure that I feel may be used by chipmunks or other wildlife--making sure they have holes to get in and under rocks...or making sure I create an overhang where there was one before. (I have seen evidence of nut shells and such under some overhangs, and I picture the little guys staying out of the rain munching away.)

I hate to think that I am destroying habitat while trying to create more habitat on the property.   I like to think I have created a balance.

As I have done for years, I will rework a structure that I feel may be used by chipmunks or other wildlife--making sure they have holes to get in and under rocks...or making sure I create an overhang where there was one before. (I have seen evidence of nut shells and such under some overhangs, and I picture the little guys staying out of the rain munching away.)

I hate to think that I am destroying habitat while trying to create more habitat on the property.   I like to think I have created a balance.

Although, I would have loved to take the top rock as well for the stream, I left used it to cap the newly reshaped rock pile.  I hope it functions well for wildlife.   I know it now functions as a perfect place for me to sit when I need a rest or just want to enjoy being surrounded by nature!

Putting things back together:

As an added benefit, I found that the formation I created can be used as a model for a drop off in my (future) streambed and waterfall.

New View of my New Path

On a few warm days in January, I started creating a path on a slope.  I found a huge rock at one point and came close to digging it out, but decided to put it off for another day--I think I was afraid I would screw up my back again and never finish the path.

I had a couple more days in February where I could work the ground.  If I recall, I finished it early March.

Here it is with an aerial shot.

(Well, I guess it isn't finished until I get that rock out, fill the hole, remove the garbage that I found, and, hopefully, seed it with something native--maybe path rush.)

Thank you, babe, for the aerial shot. :)

The other day, I added some elderberry cuttings along the slope--hopefully, they will root with no trouble and grow in in the next couple of years...along with some other native shrubs.  I have some silky dogwood still in pots that I can add...and I hope to buy some other species.

Photographing Birds

With a warm, early spring, I have been doing a good bit outside (which I have yet to post about :-/ ).

Yesterday, we had some snow for the first time in many weeks--luckily the temps were above freezing.  Anyway, I had an opportunity to take some pictures of the birds coming in to my seed offerings.  This was a good day...several fairly exceptional shots--normally I get nothing special or only one.  I posted them on Facebook, but, I refuse to abandon my blog.

Rocks

(This is from February.   I didn't realize I hadn't posted it yet.)

Winter always gives me a clean slate.  This time of year, when i can clearly see and access the rocks on our property,i move them to my water feature project. 

I am planning to create a natural looking rocky cliff behind my pond...with a place to sit. :)

Finally! (Late) Winter Sowing.

Last week, I finally started sowing some of the native seeds I collect every year.  This year, I am over a week later than my latest sowing (back in 2013, I think) wen I sowed at the end of February. 

It has been unseasonably warm for a while...I hope they get the freezing and thawing that some may need to germinate.

As usual, I am was very spotty on labeling whati collected...and, likely, even worse at labeling the trays.   But I did label a few.  I also did my signature move of double sowing some plugs with species that tend to grow in the same conditions...and I did several mixes (most notably "wetland mix"). Finally, I took the way way out and threw the more common species into a large container of damp potting mix--these I will likely hand sow on prepared ground later this spring.

One Thing Leads to Another

As so often happens, I start one project and end up elsewhere in the yard.  Everything is interrelated.

Almost two weeks ago, when the temperatures were unseasonably warm, and the ground was not frozen, I, unexpectedly, began creating a path on a seldom visited slope.  Uncovering a huge rock took time and energy away from finishing creating the newest trail on our property.  The next day, I had hoped to get the rock out of the hole, but decided I better not overdo it--my back had been pain-free for about a month or so, and I did not want to aggravate the herniated disc which seems to have healed.  Instead, I decided to continue creating a terraced path.

I had completed almost half of it they day before.   I was able to make use of a few moderately sized rocks and move them to the pond's edge.  Farther along the slope, there was a bit of trash left from a previous owner who, apparently, used sections of the property as their own private dump.

I ended up spying a pot caught under a multiflora rose bush.  Being a seldom-accessible area in the yard, two or three multiflora rose bushes escaped my not so ever vigilant eyes.  I ended up removing them and adding them to one two of my brush piles.  I gathered the garbage and stopped before the path was completed.  It is over two-thirds complete.

Unfortunately, the weather turned, with two or three inches of snow, and temperatures well below freezing, this project is on hold.

Maybe that is a good thing--almost a week later, I am noticing symptoms of discomfort where my painful bulging disc is.  I am doing my stretches and taking it easy.  I need to get symptom-free again, and continue working on my streambed and waterfall come spring.

Creating a New Path

Yesterday, January 11th, we had a high of 62°F!  Not good for the planet, but I enjoyed the reprieve from winter.  I accomplished a lot today.  I am so glad I went outside to enjoy the warm weather.

As so often happens, I start out just meandering through the yard and, unexpectedly, start some random project.  This time it was a path I had been planning in the back of my mind for a few years.

Instead of removing them, I decided to weigh them down to keep them off the path.

This is a slope on the property which I rarely have access to except in winter.  It has not been a priority (I tend to work on the meadow, woods, or pond)...but, I have been wanting to create a useable path there for a few years--right now it is a narrow footpath.

I am pleased with the results.  I probably would have finished the entire path,had I not found and uncovered a huge rock.  I plan to use it for my pond/streambed/waterfall project.  (I had really hoped to uncover several large rocks and mini-boulders while digging my pond.  Although I found rocks of various sizes...none were substantial.   So happy to have come across this one--despite the fact i will have to transport it a fair distance.

I love finding an exposed rock...and uncovering a very large rock that can be used for my pond/streambed/waterfall project.

I had really hoped to uncover a lot of useable large rocks mini-boulders when digging out for the pond (Phase II).  Unfortunately, although I found small rounded rocks to use in the streambed, but nothing like this!  Happy to have it, but, it will have to be transported a bit farther than if it were found on the site of the pond.