It was a beautiful day for a walk, so I headed out to the Morton Arboretum to walk and celebrate Earth Day. Spring flowers were in abundance! Here's what I saw: White Trout Lily (Erythronium albidum) Immature plants produce a single leaf and no flower, while mature plants produce a pair of leaves and a … Continue reading Nature Walk on Earth Day
Category: Nature
Who Won The Squirrels vs Feeder Contest?
I've had an ongoing issue with squirrels ravaging my bird feeders. I bought a great Squirrel Stopper pole, but because I wanted to see the birds from my kitchen window, and despite clear instructions not too, I placed it too close to a nearby tree and arborvitaes. So, those very acrobatic squirrels have had fun … Continue reading Who Won The Squirrels vs Feeder Contest?
Up Close With A Pileated Woodpecker
We were out winter hiking in Peninsula State Park, when we thought it'd be fun to take a short cut through the interior on the little used Trail Trampers Delight trail. Someone had fun naming that trail! Just beautiful and so quiet after a fresh overnight snowfall. Yes, there's a trail there 🙂 Lots of … Continue reading Up Close With A Pileated Woodpecker
A Hawk at My Feeders
As I was reading comfortably on the couch one afternoon, out of the corner of my eye something BIG went by the window. Now there's always a gaggle of birds out there because of the feeder I have hung in that area, but they don't usually make me think, "What was that!" Of course I … Continue reading A Hawk at My Feeders
This Was The Summer of Wasps!
This was our first summer in Door County, WI, so when the hornets and wasps appeared we thought it was normal. Then more came, and everyone in line at the hardware store was buying wasp spray. We had the normal small nests that appeared in the eaves and under the deck rail, and we seemed … Continue reading This Was The Summer of Wasps!
Happy New Year’s To My Backyard Birds!
Happy New Year! I hope this day finds you all well and looking forward to this new year. I've been away a bit from blogging, but one of my goals for this year is to keep up much better. So much has happened this summer and fall with great gardening and travel, so I'll spend … Continue reading Happy New Year’s To My Backyard Birds!
Chickens of Kauai: Good or Bad???
Chickens and Kauai. Not really two things I would have ever thought go together. Hibiscus, beautiful ferns and gorgeous views, but not chickens. But they were everywhere. I should have known something was amiss when there were chickens and roosters in the rental car parking lot at the airport. We thought it cute and other … Continue reading Chickens of Kauai: Good or Bad???
Interesting Plants of Kauai
While we were visiting Kauai, in addition to all the gorgeous Hibiscus there were lots of other interesting plants to see and learn about. I wish I had more time to go plant exploring, but there was so much to do in so little time. Here's a little of what we saw. Uluhe fern (Dicranopteris … Continue reading Interesting Plants of Kauai
Hummingbird Nectar
Once you've filled your yard with pollinator friendly plants and a hummingbird feeder, you need to make some nectar to put in the feeder. It couldn't be easier! Recipe: 1 part granulated sugar 4 parts water Bring to a boil and boil for 2 min (longer can make it too concentrated). Cool before filling feeder. … Continue reading Hummingbird Nectar
Hummingbirds and Monarchs
While I've planted a lot of flowers and plants that attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies at home, my WI garden is much more natural, but equally full of attractive plants. This wild columbine at the woods' edge is a natural attractant, while other native and cultivated flowering plants can be found in the garden. … Continue reading Hummingbirds and Monarchs