The Year Without a Summer...

This is a phrase I am hearing so often this year.  It is early October and snow is all around us.  We MIGHT have a surprise Indian Summer but I certainly don't count on it.  I still have bulbs that need to be replanted and, perhaps, some new special tulip bulbs from a friend.

I suspect that the cold has driven away my pair of hummingbirds.  I read the species named with migrating birds.  They may be gone already.  The woodpeckers have found the new suet-cake holder, thank goodness.  I really think the expensive suet cakes are not appreciated by the sparrows.  They only eat that when their feeder is empty.

The styro cones are ready and waiting for the roses but they are still trying to bloom.  I can not cut back a budded rose cane.  When I have totally given up on decent weather I will get out and cut or pull the annuals; zinnias, Cardinal flower vine, nasturtiums and the rogue tomato.  More about that later.

So THAT'S Who is Shredding my Sunflower

I was pretty sure it was one of the neighborhood squirrels who was feeding on the biggest sunflower. I was lucky enough to catch him on the flower today with my camera. My granddaughter was here and delighted watching him eat. That is why I planted sunflowers...for the wildlife.

These certainly aren't the best of photos but they are the first I have been able to take of the little hummingbird visiting my flowers. Last spring I ordered a seed collection from Renee's Garden specifically for butterflies and hummingbirds. I had almost given up on seeing flowers on the Cardinal Flower vine, but a few days ago some started to appear...and so did this hummer. The colors indicate male, but not ruby-throated, I don't think. While he was here he visited the roses, sunflowers, the neighbor's Althea bush, and then disappeared. He actually rested on the fence for a few seconds but focusing on the little guy is a real challenge. I shall be waiting and watching.

September Garden

This is the garden on the first of September. The sunflowers (those on purpose on the right and the volunteers from the birdseed on the left) and amazing. The sunflowers were great to plant for the children. The zinnias are bright in the bed at the back and the ones for the butterflies by my roses are thick and attractive. So far I have only seen those white common butterflies and a few Monarchs. I think there was a black one with some markings yesterday but I didn't get a good look at all.

The most dramatic change in my garden has been the sunflowers. They are 8 feet tall at least and the heads just get bigger every day. I missed the photo of my granddaughter looking up and watching a butterfly working away for the longest time pollinating one of the heads.

Abby is spritzing the roses but you can plainly see the Magic Carpet Zinnias by the path and the trellis of Cardinal Flower. She is blocking the carpet of Nasturtiums beyond the zinnias. All three varieties came in a package of plants especially for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Magic Carpet Zinnias

The Cardinal Flower Vine that I thought would never have blooms finally flowered with tiny delicate blossoms that look just right with the soft, lacy leaves. It certainly is attracting butterflies. I haven't seen the hummingbirds around it, but they are close.

Cardinal Flower Vine

Speaking of the hummingbirds, one is visiting the oriole feeder regularily. I don't know if it is the orange color of the feeder, the water in the base, or the grape jelly he is after but he stayed around long enough his second visit today that I could see the irridescent green of his body. Another bird to look up. Even with the tripod set up and the Canon in place with the big lens, I am not hopeful of catching him, but I will certainly try.

Nasturtiums

Early August in the Garden

I try to take a photo of the garden on the first of each month just because. The Laitris and Hollyhocks are in bloom, the Zinnias show promise of flowers, the Cardinal Flower is climbing the trellis, and the Iris have been dug up. Any Iris that showed evidence of Iris Borer have been destroyed. The good rhizomes have been soaked in a solution of 1 part Murphy's Oil Soap and 9 parts water. Some of the good iris will find a new home in my garden and some will go to friends and relatives who want them. I can't guarantee any colors although I know there are light purple, Purple almost black, striped, spotted, and plain purples. I think it is the light purple that has the striped leaves. The old Iris patch will be treated with the left over oil soap and water and left for something else next year. It is almost impossible not to get borer but I can keep fighting it anyway.

There is a photo contest for container plants but I don't think this one would be good enough since the plants are showing some stress due to lack of water. The summer rain storms seem to split and go right around us. I wonder if there is some pressure effect from Lake Erie that causes that.

I was so tickled this morning to see the baby Baltimore Oriole in the birdbath splashing happily with a little sparrow. The markings are getting brighter and brighter. I think the baby may be a male. Since the disappearance of the big bright male I have been hoping for another one.

I am concerned about one of the of the sparrows. It will let me come close enough to capture it (if I wanted to do that) and at least one of its eyes doesn't look right. It may be all or partially blind but seems to be healthy otherwise and flying. It will be all too easy for a predator to pick off, though.

Certified Wildlife Habitat!!!

While reading the Wildlife Federation E-Newsletter a few weeks ago I noticed a link. It was to the pages on the website that give the requirements and a questionnaire about your garden. The more I read the more I realized that my double-lot garden qualified. Actually, even a balcony could qualify if it had all the requirements.

• Food Sources - For example: Native plants, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, nectar

Your habitat needs three of the following types of plants or supplemental feeders:
Seeds from a plant • Berries • Nectar • Foliage/Twigs • Nuts • Fruits • Sap • Pollen • Suet • Bird Feeder • Squirrel Feeder • Hummingbird Feeder • Butterfly Feeder

• Water Sources - For example: Birdbath, pond, water garden, stream

Your habitat needs one of the following sources to provide clean water for wildlife to drink and bathe: Birdbath • Lake • Stream • Seasonal Pool • Ocean • Water Garden/Pond • River • Butterfly Puddling Area • Rain Garden • Spring

• Places for Cover - For example: Thicket, rockpile, birdhouse

Wildlife need at least two places to find shelter from the weather and predators: Wooded Area • Bramble Patch • Ground Cover • Rock Pile or Wall • Cave • Roosting Box • Dense Shrubs or Thicket • Evergreens • Brush or Log Pile • Burrow • Meadow or Prairie • Water Garden or Pond

• Places to Raise Young - For example: Dense shrubs, vegetation, nesting box, pond

You need at least two places for wildlife to engage in courtship behavior, mate, and then bear and raise their young: Mature Trees • Meadow or Prairie • Nesting Box • Wetland • Cave • Host Plants for Caterpillars • Dead Trees or Snags • Dense Shrubs or a Thicket • Water Garden or Pond • Burrow

• Sustainable Gardening - For example: Mulch, compost, rain garden, chemical-free fertilizer

You should be doing two things to help manage your habitat in a sustainable way.
Soil and Water Conservation: Riparian Buffer • Capture Rain Water from Roof • Xeriscape (water-wise landscaping) • Drip or Soaker Hose for Irrigation • Limit Water Use • Reduce Erosion (i.e. ground cover, terraces) • Use Mulch • Rain Garden
Controlling Exotic Species: Practice Integrated Pest Management • Remove Non-Native Plants and Animals • Use Native Plants • Reduce Lawn Areas
Organic Practices: Eliminate Chemical Pesticides • Eliminate Chemical Fertilizers • Compost

My garden more than qualified and this week my plaque and certificate arrived. Meanwhile, I have been acquiring MORE native plants, seed-plants for the birds and nectar plants for the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. I have purged the chemicals and started a more sustainable garden. I am tracking down some rainbarrels like my nephew found in Georgia. All kinds of changes to keep my garden moving forward as a wildlife habitat.

No cats or dogs in my yard, but a neighbor dog has been killing the bunnies. The hawk and owls that has destroyed more than a few birds including the goldfinches and male oriole, I suspect, causes me consternation, but not as much as a dog that kills to kill and not for food. We do not seem to have any outdoor cats in the area, though. I think since the eagles got the 3 outdoor cats 7 years ago, most keep their small pets inside, now.

Anyway, if you follow the links above, for a registration fee of $20 you are directed to a questionnaire that is quite specific as to the water, food, shelter, etc your garden may have. I guess my 4 birdbaths, 1 fountain, 5 birdfeeders specific to 5 different kinds of birds, hedgerow, thick evergreen trees, mulch, etc, gave me not only certification, but a resolve to work even harder to move ahead with a habitat garden.

Now, how do I get rid of the mice before winter drives them inside my house?

Busy Feeders

What a bright surprise House Finches are when they land on my feeder. They are not unusual, but just such a bright spot among the sparrows.

Some folks say these are just regular crows with red on the wings, but the Red Winged Blackbird is ever so much more polite on the feeder than the "bully birds". There is a softer call from him, too.

Although the Cardinals may eat from the feeders, they most often seem to be cleaning up after the messy sparrows.

This bright fellow has a brother with no feathers on his head. I read that there are some kind of mites cardinals get that strips away feathers on their heads. Also read that it isn't serious and the feathers grow back.

Polishing up the Garden

I still have two areas under tarps waiting for me to have what it takes to tackle them. Rather like the farmer who lets a field or two go fallow for a season. It just wasn't worth it to fight the weeds (and chiggers). Don't let anyone tell you there aren't chiggers in the North.

Today I finished weeding and adding soil to the vegetable Square Foot Garden. A little late for this year's spring and summer veggies, but the fast growing root vegetables will be fine into the late fall.
The path needed raking after the weeding of the last week or so. With that done I took the patio broom and actually SWEPT the block path in the back and the self-leveling gravel in the rest of the garden. Whew! I turned it over to the birds for a while and will go out again this evening.

ALL of the mulch is down in the rose-zinnia-trellis garden and the table is set for lunch with a friend tomorrow.

Next big chore is taking up the iris. I have started cutting the spent flowers and cutting back the leaves (and weeding). This week I will take the pitchfork and lift all of the iris rhizomes and soak them for a minute or two in a solution of Murphy's Oil Soap to kill any nasties, although I don't see any evidence of slugs, or borer. I also have to get their new bed dug up and prepared. I want to trade some of the blues and purples for some yellows the neighbors have.

Baltimore Oriole-Female and Fledgling

Female Oriole checking the orange.

Female Oriole dipping into the grape jelly.

Female Oriole feeding fledgling on the ground.

I bought this Oriole feeder last Tuesday (July 7) and filled it a day or two later in hope of finally getting some good photos of the Orioles I know are nested in a neighbor's tree. Well, I waited and waited...checked the nectar, orange ($.69 cents for ONE orange!!!) and the grape jelly dishes. The lady at Wild Birds Unlimited (see previous post) told me grape jelly, but I thought marmalade would be better. She said that ONLY grape jelly was recommended.

Today I have seen a female Oriole out and about feeding a fledgling, first on the power line, and then on the top of the hook holding the feeder. But every time I got to the camera they would vanish. I could still hear their soft trilling, though. I moved the tripod closer to the door-wall and closed the glass. It would be less than PERFECT photos, but I would'nt spook the birds off, at least.

Soon I was rewarded with the above photos. YAY. Now to catch the gorgeous male at the feeder.

The Next Step

When I moved to this house 8 years ago I brought a large cement birdbath with me. Over the years I have added some feeders and other birdbaths, mostly from the hardware store. This year I filled out a questionnaire to have my yard designated as a wildlife habitat. The plaque is in the mail.

My granddaughters spend hours watching the birds (rabbits, squirrels, etc.) with me and lately their parents have spent a few evenings watching the birds, too. The parents even showed a desire to put some feeders at their house, only 10 blocks away.
So...a few days ago was my daughter's and my shared birthday. Lunch and a shopping trip together is how we usually celebrate. This time I suggested a college town not too far away for lunch. I knew there was a Wild Birds, Unlimited store there.

By the time we finished at that store the family had a lovely green glazed birdbath with a locking bowl and a small bubbler in the middle (not in the online catalog). They also had the starter set of The Advanced Pole System, The large Quick-Clean tube feeder for regular seed and the large Quick-Clean Finch Feeder. In fact I got a pair of the tube feeders for myself, too.MY DAUGHTER'S FAMILY BIRD STATION

MY NEW FEEDERS (and the old seed-cake feeder)

Of course, we had to get seed (non-sprouting) for each kind of feeder, too. There were a number of Wild Bird Unlimited publications for us and for the children as well, and a special Oriole feeder for me.
We went back to my daughter's house after lunch and her husband went right to work getting the garden by the patio and door-wall all set up. Within the hour a bright finch had found the finch feeder. By this morning they had plenty to watch, Jays, Cardinals, Finches, Sparrows and more. The girls and their parents have a little viewing area set up with chairs and table in the shade of the big 42 year old evergreen. Photographing their birds can't be far behind.

I HAVE to get one of those Advanced Pole Systems for MY yard. I have 3 of the regular hardware store hook and pole systems but, now I want the better one.

Summer Garden

The first day of summer just passed and I was sitting on my back porch taking stock of my garden. Why? Well, I just registered the yard with the National Wildlife Federation. I will actually get a plaque for the front yard. The questionnaire made me realize what I really had here, even with almost half of the garden area under tarps.

One whole side of the garden was so choked with waist-high weeds this year, and considering the chiggers of last year, that I just covered it with the old pool cover, weighted it down with rocks, and let it go. I rolled back a part of it this week and it looks about ready to replant. I will just do a little at a time, being a 70+ year-old gardener. Then I can move, as with the iris which need to be split this year, or plant with the seeds I bought for a butterfly garden.

It wasn't until I did the National Wildlife Federation questionnaire that I realized all the items I have that are on the list of wildlife attractants. I counted 3 suet feeders, a triple thistle seed feeder, a sunflower feeder, Hummingbird feeder, and a dish for oranges for the orioles. I also counted 4 birdbaths and a fountain. Add to that the hedgerow across the back for shelter and the two big spruce trees for nesting and you have a yard that qualifies.

Redwings...

I have been a lifelong hockey fan, specifically, the Detroit Red Wings. I remember listening to games on a little radio until I fell asleep in my bed. I remember listening to the New Years Eve games. Later in my life, I actually went to games at The Olympia for many years. Even later, I attended games from a suite in the Joe Lewis Arena with my Dear as guests of auto suppliers. My Middle School Students often saw this Red Wing player or that in the halls of the school as the mother of one was a secretary and others had homes in the area or were visiting parents who lived in the area. In fact, the mother of one of the Wings had been my Matron of Honor at my wedding in the early 60s. During the Stanley Cup Play-offs to this day, everything revolves around the games. Our whole block stops dead during play, although it can get a little rowdy between periods.

Yes, it is Red Wing Country, indeed. But today it is a little subdued and sad as our beloved Wings lost the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs 2-1 to the Penguins.

Even my 6 year old granddaughter had Wing Fever so she was absolutely delighted when I identified this visitor to my garden as a Red Wing Blackbird. It has only been the last year that this family of Red Wings have visited my feeders.

I really HAD to include this photo of one of the squirrels who visits the various birdbaths in the garden. My granddaughters will just get as excited over this squirrel as anything that visits us.

Ok, maybe rabbits and squirrels are not egrets and alligators, but there is something about these frequent visitors to my garden in the North that is charming just the same. Watching my two little granddaughters "Shhhh" over even the most common visitors and seeing the wildlife through their eyes is magical.

Chick-A-Dee

The last two days I have noticed this little guy at my black-oil-sunflower-seed feeder. In fact, he comes right in even when I am gardening really near by. I figured one time I was less than 6 feet away. So this morning, I grabbed my camera and sat quietly on the back porch. Sure enough, in a few minutes he was right there and I was able to snap away. This is when having a silent mode on your digital camera helps.

Late Gardening

This layout of my garden makes it look a lot better than it really is. Returning North after the Winter in Florida allowed the weeds to take over any area not closely planted. The rose garden and iris are in pretty good shape, and I have dug the annual garden at the back (around the little statue). The garden around the pond is so closely planted that weeds are rare. What you can't see is the East side garden which is covered with the old black plastic pool cover. The weeds and grass were up to my neck! I had two years fighting chiggers and will NOT sit down and start weeding again so I just covered the whole thing. I said goodbye to the Astilbe, Philipandula, and Saxifragia. They can be replaced easier than weeding would be. By the time my son can come and rototil the garden the weeds should be dead. Then I will recover and plant just one section at a time. This time I will put the plants closer together and use a lot of Preen.

These two weeks I am taking care of my 6-year-old granddaughter during the day. She loves gardening with me and has helped groom the rose garden and the path. Then Amazon delivered my copy of "Best-Ever Backyard Birding Tips-Hundreds of Easy Ways to Attract the Birds You Love to Watch". She read parts of it and I read other interesting tips. We started by digging out all the birdbath dishes hidden in the closets and garage and setting them up. Birds came from all over! There already is a fountain bubbling in the middle of the garden, and a table-top fountain on the deck. Very popular, especially with all of the young birds!

Then we dug out all of the feeders and hangers. We washed up the feeders just as they say to do in the book. We don't have a birding store anywhere near, though. We settled for Aco Hardware and were very picky. ONLY Nijer seed and shelled black oil sunflower seed. Now there are 4 seed feeders, one with 3 tubes. Unfortunately, the black birds are all over the feeders and the other birds are only here when the bully birds move on. The Baltimore Orioles are liking the oranges but no traffic to the hummingbird feeder that I can see so far.

The back fence behind my garden is quite covered with forsythia, wild grape, yellow lilies, and weed-trees. This usually drives me crazy as I try to keep my side cut back to the fence, but I am aware that it offers privacy. The book, however, says a hedgerow is the first and most important feature to consider when making a yard friendly to birds. HA! I already HAVE that! And the two evergreens, which I considered cutting down, offer nesting and shelter.

Now I am looking at planting bird and butterfly friendly plants in that long garden, once all of the weeds are gone for good. The book will be handy for deciding just what to plant.

My granddaughter and I also ordered seeds for the annual flower garden, and vegetable garden from Renee's Garden Seeds and Park Seeds. I found a short full size flower zinnia at Park as suggested by a gardening friend. It is called Magellan. I also ordered Angel's Trumpet Ballerina Yellow. I hope they will flourish on my trellis.

Renee's had collections of seeds and I ordered the Children's collection and the Bird and Butterfly collection. Time will tell how well these do in my yard but I really am hopeful. The zinnias from Renee's have done really well for two years. Watch here and I will show the gardens after they start to come up.

Michigan Robin

I had been home for a week when I was browsing my next door neighbor's garage sale. He pointed out this robin's nest right in the corner of my house and back gate...on the top of two boards just leaning there. The parent did not seem to mind our being there and the babies were not particularly quiet.

Unfinished Projects

This house, in its original form, has fascinated me since our first drive along the water in 2003. Originally it was an ice house for all the commercial fishing establishments along this drive. When we started wintering here, it was owned by a famous singer who was restoring it. His tour bus was often parked alongside. Then the hurricanes of 2004 all but demolished the historic building and work was stopped for a while. It was said the "famous singer" was disenchanted with the town for allowing some 3-story condos to be built near him. It was also rumored that he had sold it to another even MORE famous singer. Whatever actually happened, it was torn down except one corner wall and is being rebuilt...but by whom? What will it become? We can't wait to return next January and see how it turns out. Certainly one of our neighbors will have heard who owns it now.

Weeks ago the city blocked off part of the street along the shore to build a park, and parking for people launching boats at the new city ramps. We have kept an eye on the project, hoping to see it finished before we had to leave. A lot of it HAS been finished, but not enough to actually see what it will be like. I wanted to take these photos as a record so I can take more next January when we return.

What is this little building? That is the Indian River behind the big pile of sand. The green truck is on what USED to be part of Indian River Drive. This part of the road has been closed off since well before Easter making our favorite evening drive all but impossible. Our main concern is whether or not the city fathers are closing the road off for good or if it will be reopened when this park is finished. Most of the businesses on the drive are restaurants so maybe through traffic isn't important, and maybe they don't LIKE those of us who just like to drive along looking at the water.

Still a lot of equipment around and no signs yet of boat launch ramps. Just no idea of what we will find when we come back next year.

Right in the middle of this street-parking lot is this little seating area. I assume there will be a plaque, commemorative sign, and some seating, but maybe not. We will see.

This is the Chamber of Commerce building which was on Main Street. Now it is on the park. I still can't tell what will be parking for cars and boat trailers and what will be street.

More Sandhill Cranes

We were just having dinner and waiting to watch the Kentucky Derby yesterday when we heard the trumpet of a Sandhill Crane...CLOSE. In fact, it turns out it was on the lawn right next door to our friends' house. At that short distance the sound will clear your sinuses!! When I got closer I could see that another bird, a Great Blue Heron was on the same lawn. We have assumed that the amount of wild life we see on a daily basis is due to the house being on a lake with a wildlife preserve island in the middle. This was in a subdivision! One with a long waterway, but still completely populated.

So I grabbed my little camera and stalked the big bird. Not that he cared. I could have probably gone closer, but I was not that brave. It was a BIG BIRD! THis bird had the adult markings of the Sandhill Crane as opposed to the teenage parents I photographed 2 days ago. (last post)

I just had to include this photo of three yellow-headed ducks swimming past our friends' lawn. They really do see a lot of wildlife for living in a totally settled area.

Every Evening Another Treat -Sandhill Crane

I was sitting on my bench, by the seawall around our lake when I heard AND saw this Sandhill Crane. Evening is not the best time for a photo with the setting sun behind the subject but, well, it was so close! The spots mark it as a juvenile, or so I thought.

I kept getting closer until it took off across the lake, where it sat and squawked at me...and squawked and squawked!

A little later we looked across the lake and saw THIS! TWO with a little black fuzzy chick following them. So...these HAVE to be mature enough to have hatched a chick recently. This IS a little late in the year for such a young chick. Usually in April we begin to see much larger hatchlings. And what is with the parents and their markings of youth? No red cap on either.

To further add to the mystery, a few minutes later we saw THIS! Swimming? Sandhill Cranes SWIM??? It most certainly is the same family with their little black chick swimming behind. Ok...I really need to look this one up.

From "All About Birds" from Cornell University:

Cool Facts

Adult Description

• Very large bird.
• Long neck.
• Long Legs.
• Gray body, may be stained reddish.
• Red forehead.
• White cheek.
• Tufted feathers over rump.

Immature Description

Similar to adult, but mottled gray and brown, and without facial markings or bald forehead.

• The Sandhill Crane does not breed until it is two to seven years old. It can live up to the age of 20. Mated pairs stay together year round, and migrate south as a group with their offspring.

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The breeding map at this site shows the state of Florida and some other areas in blue...which, according to the key is Winter (non-breeding). What? We have seen MANY pairs of adults WITH their babies here in Florida; babies far too young to have migrated.

Well, maybe someone will explain this to me. On with my research:

Wikipedia says this:

The Florida Sandhill Crane is far less common, with some 5,000 individuals remaining. They are most threatened by habitat destruction and probably depend on human management in the long run. In Florida, it is protected, and if killed, carries a very high monetary penalty. This subspecies is under protection of state and federal law at this time. Since the loss of habitat is a somewhat controllable cause of a declining population, habitat preservation is a valuable management measure. The current outlook for the Florida sandhill crane, if it can be maintained on the protected habitats, is good. Transplanting wild birds, as well as introducing captive-reared birds into suitable areas where crane numbers are low, appears to be a viable technique in the management of this threatened species. It is hoped that these management strategies, plus continued ecological research, will prevent the Florida sandhill crane from reaching a more critical status.
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Florida Sandhill Cranes (Southwest Florida Water Management District)

Florida sandhill cranes are long-legged, long-necked, gray, heron-like birds with a patch of bald, red skin on top of their heads. Sandhill cranes fly with their necks outstretched with powerful, rhythmic wing beats. Florida's sandhill cranes are a threatened species that are found in inland shallow freshwater marshes, prairies, pastures and farmlands. Sometimes they can be seen on lawns throughout Florida. They are sensitive birds that do not adjust well to changed environments and high human populations. Sandhill cranes are usually seen in small family groups or pairs. However, during the winter, Florida's sandhill crane population increases as cranes from northern states spend the winter in Florida. Sandhill cranes are omnivorous, meaning they eat a variety of plant and animal matter. Some of their favorite meal items include seeds, plant tubers, grains, berries, insects, earthworms, mice, snakes, lizards, frogs and crayfish. Unlike other wading birds, such as herons, sandhill cranes do not "fish." The voice of the sandhill crane is one of the most distinctive bird sounds in Florida. This "call of the wild" has been described as a bugling or trumpeting sound, and can be heard for several miles. Florida sandhill cranes stay with the same mate for several years and young sandhills stay with their parents until they are about 10 months old. Like their endangered relatives the whooping cranes, sandhills live to be older than most birds. In fact, some sandhill cranes live up to 20 years.

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Ok...that answers everything except the youth of the parents and their SWIMMING.

My granddaughter, age almost-3 won one of the 15 prize Easter baskets at the Egg Scramble, April 2009 the day before Easter. There were thousands of children there so it was quite a win for the wee one and she properly thanked the Easter Bunny.

I just had to share this cute video of my granddaughters dancing during the entertainment at the Easter Egg Scramble at the city park. This was Saturday, the day before Easter.