This morning, when I went out to feed the birds I saw several feathers on the snow's surface. To me, it looks like a cardinal's feathers. I'm wondering if the hawk returned and had better luck this time.
Recreating a native habitat has been a dream of mine since I was about 18. It only took me 20 years, but I finally have two acres of land in the country with which to work (and play). My goal is to document the improvements I make to the property: restoring habitat & attracting birds and butterflies in addition to other wildlife.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Hawk Returns?
This morning, when I went out to feed the birds I saw several feathers on the snow's surface. To me, it looks like a cardinal's feathers. I'm wondering if the hawk returned and had better luck this time.
One Year Ago Today
Having a three day weekend helps me be more productive. I got a few things done, but by the end of the day yesterday, I decided to put off planting the wildflower seeds I collected last fall. Yesterday, I was looking through past posts here, when I came across the first batch of seeds I planted--it was exactly one year ago today. So, last night, I was determined to get them planted. I was not expecting to have to shovel 10 inches of snow this morning and search through the snow for the pots I'd planned to use.
Luckily I found them, filled them with top soil and potting mix, planted the seeds, and took several pictures of the process. My only regret was that I should've used at least one more pot...I think I collected a lot more seeds this year, and the pots were pretty crowded last year!
I piled snow over top of them again same as last year. Here's hoping I have a lot of successful germination.
Stored seeds.
Lucky to find the pots buried under all that snow.
Fill with top soil.
Seeds added, then covered in potting mix.
As I did last year, I covered them all with snow.
Luckily I found them, filled them with top soil and potting mix, planted the seeds, and took several pictures of the process. My only regret was that I should've used at least one more pot...I think I collected a lot more seeds this year, and the pots were pretty crowded last year!
I piled snow over top of them again same as last year. Here's hoping I have a lot of successful germination.
Stored seeds.
Lucky to find the pots buried under all that snow.
Fill with top soil.
Seeds added, then covered in potting mix.
As I did last year, I covered them all with snow.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
New Find
While cleaning out the nestbox today, I spotted something at the base of the post. Thanks to my friends at WildlifeGardeners.org, I knew what it was. It was another praying mantis egg case...what's more, there was a second on the other side! :)
I'll keep my eye on them and hope to see them hatch. :)
I'll keep my eye on them and hope to see them hatch. :)
Cleaning House
Actually, we did clean the house some today...and I'm cleaning the sunroom in hopes of getting an early start on the vegetable garden this year. However, this post is about cleaning out one of the bluebird boxes that, apparently, I forgot to do at the end of the season.
I found the old nest a couple of weeks ago when the temperatures were around minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. I was a bit concerned about the bluebirds and know that they could all have huddled in one of the nestboxes to stay warm. When the temperatures rose again, I opened the boxes hoping not to find any that had frozen to death. That is when I spotted the old nest.
Today, I finally got out there with bleach mixed with warm water. I removed the old nest and disinfected the nestbox. After letting it air dry, I went back out to close it up. It is now ready for the new season. I'm hoping the blues return and maybe bring their offspring to nest in our yard this year as well. Perhaps I should get another box or two up.
I found the old nest a couple of weeks ago when the temperatures were around minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. I was a bit concerned about the bluebirds and know that they could all have huddled in one of the nestboxes to stay warm. When the temperatures rose again, I opened the boxes hoping not to find any that had frozen to death. That is when I spotted the old nest.
Today, I finally got out there with bleach mixed with warm water. I removed the old nest and disinfected the nestbox. After letting it air dry, I went back out to close it up. It is now ready for the new season. I'm hoping the blues return and maybe bring their offspring to nest in our yard this year as well. Perhaps I should get another box or two up.
Bringing Nature Home
I finally got around to begin reading Bringing Nature Home by Douglas W. Tallamy. This book was recommended to me by several members on WildlifeGardeners.org. I borrowed it from the library and just finished chapter 8. I'm only about a third into it but already recommend it to anyone interested in gardening with native plants...and those who don't understand (or believe) just how important it is.
Crunching Snow Encounter
A little late in posting, but the other week we had very cold temperatures, and I went out early in the morning to warm up my car before heading to work. I was crunching through the snow, when I heard some snow crunching across the street from me. There on the wooded hillside were four to five deer. One or two of them were eyeing me as the others were inching there way back up the hillside. It was a nice surprise.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Another Snow Day: More Bird Pictures
After shoveling out, I went around back, put some more food out for the birds (even though there was still some left), then, instead of going inside, I sat down on the stoop (with a cardboard box to keep from freezing) with my camera. The birds hadn't gone far while I was putting the food out, and soon started coming back to feed. The chickadees, of course were first, with the juncos and nuthatch not too far behind. Surprisingly the cardinals came fairly close with only a little trepidation. The snow was coming down still, but it was well worth sitting there enjoying the show, and getting several pictures worth sharing.
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