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.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Year Without a Summer...
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.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
September Garden
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.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Early August in the Garden

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.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
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
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
- Places for Cover - For example: Thicket, rockpile, birdhouse
- Places to Raise Young - For example: Dense shrubs, vegetation, nesting box, pond
- Sustainable Gardening - For example: Mulch, compost, rain garden, chemical-free fertilizer
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 $20 you are directed to a questionnaire that is quite specific as to the water, food, shelter, etc your garden may have. I guess my 4 birdbaths, 1 fountain, 5 birdfeeders specific to 5 different kinds of birds, hedgerow, thick evergreen trees, mulch, etc, gave me not only certification, but a resolve to work even harder to move ahead with a habitat garden.
Now, how do I get rid of the mice before winter drives them inside my house?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Busy Feeders
What a bright surprise House Finches are when they land on my feeder. They are not unusual, but just such a bright spot among the sparrows.
Some folks say these are just regular crows with red on the wings, but the Red Winged Blackbird is ever so much more polite on the feeder than the "bully birds". There is a softer call from him, too.
Although the Cardinals may eat from the feeders, they most often seem to be cleaning up after the messy sparrows.
This bright fellow has a brother with no feathers on his head. I read that there are some kind of mites cardinals get that strips away feathers on their heads. Also read that it isn't serious and the feathers grow back.
Polishing up the Garden
Today I finished weeding and adding soil to the vegetable Square Foot Garden. A little late for this year's spring and summer veggies, but the fast growing root vegetables will be fine into the late fall.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Baltimore Oriole-Female and Fledgling
Female Oriole checking the orange.
Female Oriole dipping into the grape jelly.
Female Oriole feeding fledgling on the ground.
I bought this Oriole feeder last Tuesday (July 7) and filled it a day or two later in hope of finally getting some good photos of the Orioles I know are nested in a neighbor's tree. Well, I waited and waited...checked the nectar, orange ($.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.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Next Step
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Summer Garden
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.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Redwings...
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.



Wednesday, June 10, 2009
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.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Late Gardening

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.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Michigan Robin

Monday, May 4, 2009
Unfinished Projects
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.
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.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
More Sandhill Cranes
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Every Evening Another Treat -Sandhill Crane
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.
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





