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.