On the way back from a meeting in town today, I saw a large flock of mostly red-winged blackbirds along Walker Creek. Back home, I was delighted to see a couple of crocuses blooming.
Maybe I will hear the spring peepers tonight!
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Spring Signs
On the way back from a meeting in town today, I saw a large flock of mostly red-winged blackbirds along Walker Creek. Back home, I was delighted to see a couple of crocuses blooming.
Maybe I will hear the spring peepers tonight!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Early Trillium, Spring out of Whack
This morning I read a great opinion piece in the New York Times titled "Early Bloomers" These were my observations for some time--that spring is arriving earlier and that this might not be a good thing. The authors talked about some plants flowering earlier while others at their usual time, thereby putting things out of balance. This spring seems like an extreme case. With temperatures in the 80s in February and March, my number one invasive species, multi-flora rose had a great head start. When the bloodroot bloomed at its usual time, it bloomed thru the already green shrubs. and golden ragwort which had already started blooming. It was sad to me as I enjoy seeing the stark white of the bloodroot flower against the brown leaves of the forest floor.
Some native plants though did take advantage of the warm weather...
Large Flowered Trillium April 2, 2012
My trillium usually bloom no earlier than the third week of April so April 2 is highly unusual. I looked back on my blogs and the photos usually were taken in late April. My paper journals going back to 2003 also document late April blooming of Trillium.
The Columbine bloomed at the regular time, early April, and already started going to seed. But, my hummingbirds aren't back yet. Others in this area have reported hummingbirds coming back a little later also. So, I don't know what is going on.
More thoughts and photos on this later but I am going to do some blog reading to see if others are seeing the same early spring.
Some native plants though did take advantage of the warm weather...
Large Flowered Trillium April 2, 2012
My trillium usually bloom no earlier than the third week of April so April 2 is highly unusual. I looked back on my blogs and the photos usually were taken in late April. My paper journals going back to 2003 also document late April blooming of Trillium.
The Columbine bloomed at the regular time, early April, and already started going to seed. But, my hummingbirds aren't back yet. Others in this area have reported hummingbirds coming back a little later also. So, I don't know what is going on.
More thoughts and photos on this later but I am going to do some blog reading to see if others are seeing the same early spring.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Phlox, Wood Anemone and Pear Blossoms with Bee Update
Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata) April 17, 2009
Blue Phlox is blooming profusely along the road where the highway department trimmed the brush. Hooray--wish they would do this every year instead of spraying pesticides. Native wildflowers tend to take over and it is also better for my honey bees which are on my mind a lot lately (see below for update on my hive).
Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) April 17, 2009
Bloodroot and Toothwort flowers are just about gone as the mid spring flowers take over. I spotted this Wood Anemone in the woods. You can see that the forest floor is still very brown with the exception of alien invasive species (i.e. multi-flora rose, Japanese barberry, Japanese honeysuckle) which get a head start by leafing out early. That also makes it a good time of year to remove these troublesome species.
Sweet Cherry Blossoms and Honey Bee (April 9, 2009)
With bees on my mind, I have observed where my bees forage. I have watched them go from the hive to the dandelions and henbit I have allowed to grow up in our lawn this year. I also see my honey bees follow along the powerline to these sweet cherry trees that must have been planted a long time ago by the farmer who owned this land.
Old Pear Orchard (April 12, 2009)
On the back part of our land and next to our neighbor's beautiful barn is an old pear orchard where I went to see if the trees were blooming and to search for honey bees. I have been trying to restore this orchard for several years by pruning the many branches (per a Mother Earth magazine article).
I wondered what happened to the fruit every year since I do not harvest the many small, mostly inedible pears. Last year, I was looking at the pears on the ground when a cow approached. I threw a pear at her to shoo her away. She promptly ate it and came over with her calf and gobbled up a lot of pears--another mystery solved.
Pear Tree Blossoms (April 12, 2009)
I don't know if the honey bee on the right is from my hive but there were several on this pear tree along with bumble bees and many small bees.
The weather has not been good for bees since I installed my package April 3. There have been few warm, sunny days. The bees don't go out to forage on the mostly cold, rainy days we have had. So, it is good thing I have fed them sugar syrup continuously.
Update on my Bee Hive
With some good advice from fellow beekeepers, I requeened my hive yesterday (the eggs in the previous post were probably from laying workers). I also used an ingenious method for removing the laying workers as recommended in the Beekeeping for Dummies book and further detailed by another beekeeper who did this last year. Hopefully, these efforts will rejuvenate my struggling hive.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Phoebe vs. Wren
Eastern Phoebe (March 13, 2009)
It happens every year! The Eastern Phoebe, a common flycatcher bird, returns to our yard in late February.
Carolina Wren (June, 2007)
A few weeks later, he harasses the Carolina Wrens from the front porch where they have been sleeping peacefully at night in a clay birdhouse. The wrens leave the birdhouse in the morning. When they come back to check out all 3 birdhouses on the porch for a possible nest, the phoebe chases them away. I start hearing his constant "fee-bee" call over and over ad nauseum.
Here he is, looking at me taking the photo, saying "You can't stop me." It's really no contest because the 7" long phoebe with a 11" wingspan is much larger than the small 5-1/2" wren.
So, the Carolina Wren's first nest is usually elsewhere. This year, I had propped up a bluebird house in the shed but didn't get around to putting it up back on our pasture. The wrens made a nest behind it so I will leave it until they leave the nest. It's too late to put up the bluebird house anyway.
The Eastern Phoebe has staked out the area in front of the porch where he perches on a branch, flipping his tail up and down and then diving for insects which he catches on the fly (hence the term flycatcher). Funny thing he has never made a nest on the front porch, usually it's under the second story eave on the south side of the house (the north side being taken by the bathouse).
By June, the wrens usually return to our porch to raise their young, the phoebe having calmed down by then. I guess you figured out which bird I prefer on my front porch!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
First Butterfly--Mourning Cloak
About a week ago, I hurt my back splitting wood so I haven't gotten out like I should. The temperature rose to 80 this afternoon so I couldn't resist going for a walk in the woods. I walked so slowly, my dog Kookie quickly got bored and ran way ahead of me. This turned out to be a blessing because I was able to see and hear more birds than usual. For example, a group of purple finches was feasting on some flowers or buds on a tree.
As I slowly made my way up the hill, I spotted my first butterfly of spring. I could see it had a beige or yellowish border on the otherwise brown wings as it was flying in the strong breeze. It finally landed on a Spicebush branch where I could get a closer look.
Mourning Cloak (March 7, 2009)
The Mourning Cloak, Nymphalis antipoa, is a member of the Brushfoot Family which includes Anglewings and Tortoiseshells. At first, I thought it might have emerged from a chrysalis today because it was so warm. On the contrary, my guide reports that this butterfly, like the Monarch, migrates to the south for the wintertime. Unlike the Monarchs which winter in Mexico, not much is known about the Mourning Cloak's migration movements. So, perhaps my first spring butterfly came up from the south or had overwintered in our woods. Either way, I was happy to get a glimpse of him today.
Slow down and watch for surprises will be my new motto.
As I slowly made my way up the hill, I spotted my first butterfly of spring. I could see it had a beige or yellowish border on the otherwise brown wings as it was flying in the strong breeze. It finally landed on a Spicebush branch where I could get a closer look.
Mourning Cloak (March 7, 2009)
The Mourning Cloak, Nymphalis antipoa, is a member of the Brushfoot Family which includes Anglewings and Tortoiseshells. At first, I thought it might have emerged from a chrysalis today because it was so warm. On the contrary, my guide reports that this butterfly, like the Monarch, migrates to the south for the wintertime. Unlike the Monarchs which winter in Mexico, not much is known about the Mourning Cloak's migration movements. So, perhaps my first spring butterfly came up from the south or had overwintered in our woods. Either way, I was happy to get a glimpse of him today.
Slow down and watch for surprises will be my new motto.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Barred Owl Encounter
We had severe thunderstorms on Thursday night, receiving about 1 inch of rain. The skies began to clear last evening so I took a walk. As I walked up up a hill, I saw a large bird which flew to a tall poplar. I walked toward the top of the hill and turned around to look again at the poplar since I hadn't seen a bird fly off. As I scanned the tree, I saw the Barred Owl looking back at me.
Photo: May 9, 2008
The Barred Owl is the only owl in the United States that has dark eyes but this one's eyes appeared red because he was facing the sun I suppose.
I watched him for a long time. He only stopped staring when my cat climbed a tree. He then turned his head to watch the cat.
Photo: May 9, 2008
After a few minutes, a Scarlet Tanager flew into another yellow poplar tree. The owl turned its head almost 180 degrees to look at him. I was scared the owl might attack the beautiful bird but no, he did not. I had spotted a pair of male and female Scarlet Tanagers earlier in the week, feeding on the blooms of an oak tree. I was hoping I would see one again.
Photo: May 9, 2008
I went up the hill and then started down this old logging road which was lined with more Yellow Poplar Trees and a blooming dogwood in the distance. It is starting to look like summer already.
Coming back, I noticed the owl had left. I guess he was waiting for me to leave.
Photo: May 9, 2008
When I returned to the house, I noticed an Indigo Bunting below the feeders. I have seen these for a couple of weeks now.
To cap off a nice spring evening, I sat outside to watch the bats fly out of the bathouse which has been on the side of our house for almost 20 years. First, four flew out, then another three for a total of 7 --I think Big Brown Bats. We have had as many of 30 bats in there one summer (with moms and the babies). No matter how many times I watch, it still gives me a little thrill to see them fly overhead. And, I don't mind them eating all the mosquitoes!
The bedroom windows were open last night but I did not hear the Barred Owl as we sometimes do. I read that the Barred Owls mate for life and use the same nest every year. So, I will be looking for the nest which I hope is on our land.
Photo: May 9, 2008
The Barred Owl is the only owl in the United States that has dark eyes but this one's eyes appeared red because he was facing the sun I suppose.
I watched him for a long time. He only stopped staring when my cat climbed a tree. He then turned his head to watch the cat.
Photo: May 9, 2008
After a few minutes, a Scarlet Tanager flew into another yellow poplar tree. The owl turned its head almost 180 degrees to look at him. I was scared the owl might attack the beautiful bird but no, he did not. I had spotted a pair of male and female Scarlet Tanagers earlier in the week, feeding on the blooms of an oak tree. I was hoping I would see one again.
Photo: May 9, 2008
I went up the hill and then started down this old logging road which was lined with more Yellow Poplar Trees and a blooming dogwood in the distance. It is starting to look like summer already.
Coming back, I noticed the owl had left. I guess he was waiting for me to leave.
Photo: May 9, 2008
When I returned to the house, I noticed an Indigo Bunting below the feeders. I have seen these for a couple of weeks now.
To cap off a nice spring evening, I sat outside to watch the bats fly out of the bathouse which has been on the side of our house for almost 20 years. First, four flew out, then another three for a total of 7 --I think Big Brown Bats. We have had as many of 30 bats in there one summer (with moms and the babies). No matter how many times I watch, it still gives me a little thrill to see them fly overhead. And, I don't mind them eating all the mosquitoes!
The bedroom windows were open last night but I did not hear the Barred Owl as we sometimes do. I read that the Barred Owls mate for life and use the same nest every year. So, I will be looking for the nest which I hope is on our land.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wildwood Park Wildflowers
Today, I went on the last field trip for the Virginia Master Naturalist 07-08 class. As part of the training committee which organized this year's course, we chose Wildwood Park in Radford, Virginia because it is a great example of a park smack inside of a bustling town. Popular with dog walkers, bicyclists, joggers, and nature lovers, the park probably owes its protected status to the fact that it on an unbuildable site (notwithstanding the major road that park proponents stopped years ago). A creek runs thru the narrow strip of land with steep hills on both sides.
Our field trip was led by Frank Taylor, who teaches biology at Radford High School and David Garst, wildlife biologist from West Virginia. Frank can bring his students right outside to a nature wonderland and great outdoor lab because the school is just uphill from the park.
The north hillside was covered with wildflowers growing on rich soils.
The Large-Flowered Bellwort was particularly striking, growing 15 inches in height with flowers over 2 inches long.
Dutchman's Breeches created a great looking ground cover.
Wild Ginger was a hard-to-find treasure. I have learned to spot it by looking for the leaves which have the texture of velvet (think velour).
The Wild Ginger flower hides at the base and underneath the leaves. Gnats pollinate and then lay eggs in the flower but the Wild Ginger has its own pesticide which kills the gnat larvae so the flower can go to seed (source: Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains). What a tricky flower!
Another tall plant was the Spring Larkspur. On the walk back, some naturalists used binoculars to see Dogtooth Violets on the steep south hillside, too far away for me to photograph. These flowers are pretty so I am glad they are in such a remote location because gardeners might be tempted to dig them up.
At the entrance or exit of the park, I photographed this most unusual road cut. Water flowing over the cut has created a menagerie of colors, shapes, and textures from the algae, moss, and iron in the limestone.
On the drive back, I noticed the trees on the hillside were just beginning to leaf out. The light green color with the purple of the blooming redbud reminded me of Easter.
What a great spring day!
For more information about Wildwood Park, go to:
http://www.radfordpl.org/wildwood/
Our field trip was led by Frank Taylor, who teaches biology at Radford High School and David Garst, wildlife biologist from West Virginia. Frank can bring his students right outside to a nature wonderland and great outdoor lab because the school is just uphill from the park.
The north hillside was covered with wildflowers growing on rich soils.
The Large-Flowered Bellwort was particularly striking, growing 15 inches in height with flowers over 2 inches long.
Dutchman's Breeches created a great looking ground cover.
Wild Ginger was a hard-to-find treasure. I have learned to spot it by looking for the leaves which have the texture of velvet (think velour).
The Wild Ginger flower hides at the base and underneath the leaves. Gnats pollinate and then lay eggs in the flower but the Wild Ginger has its own pesticide which kills the gnat larvae so the flower can go to seed (source: Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains). What a tricky flower!
Another tall plant was the Spring Larkspur. On the walk back, some naturalists used binoculars to see Dogtooth Violets on the steep south hillside, too far away for me to photograph. These flowers are pretty so I am glad they are in such a remote location because gardeners might be tempted to dig them up.
At the entrance or exit of the park, I photographed this most unusual road cut. Water flowing over the cut has created a menagerie of colors, shapes, and textures from the algae, moss, and iron in the limestone.
On the drive back, I noticed the trees on the hillside were just beginning to leaf out. The light green color with the purple of the blooming redbud reminded me of Easter.
What a great spring day!
For more information about Wildwood Park, go to:
http://www.radfordpl.org/wildwood/
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