Wonder
One of the things I love about gardening is all the wonderful wildlife you get to see while doing chores. This weekend I was weeding and mulching the 5×5 Challenge garden and was startled by a frog.
Then, Mr Chiots called me out the other morning, he found this amazing salamander while he was out working.
I just love seeing this beauty all around when I’m outside working! Frogs, toads, and snakes are probably my favorite things to see while out working. I know they’re hard working creatures that are doing my garden loads of good.
What’s your favorite kind of wildlife to see in the garden?
Share this:
Tiny Wonder
Yesterday, as I was heading out the back door, a little hummingbird flew inside the house. As it was flying against the windows trying to get out, I debated what to do. Thinking I could herd it outside, I walked around to the other side. When I got close, it stopped fluttering and perched on the windowsill. I reached for it and it just looked at me while I grabbed it softly.
I took it to the living room to show Mr Chiots (who took the photo). When I took it to the back door and opened my hand, it flew away. No doubt these little birds are used to me in the garden, they hover close to me when I’m filling their feeders or weeding. I’m glad it was an easy process to rescue this little lady and send her on her way. No doubt she’ll be flying south soon.
Have you ever had to rescue birds or other wildlife?
Share this:
Oh Boy
Mr Chiots has been spotting a big flock of wild turkeys down at the end of our driveway, which is about a third of a mile from the house. The day before yesterday I looked out and saw them in the grass below the house.
Yesterday morning when I got up they were all under the apple tree, about ten feet from the house. I counted 22, which is a lot of wild turkeys! This many turkeys can do a lot of damage to a garden in a hurry. I don’t worry too much about the upper garden because Tara is up there, but the potager behind the house is probably at risk. That means I’ll be out putting up the pig fences that we’re not using for pigs this year.
What pests do you have to worry about in your garden?
Share this:
A Beautiful Solution
I was having trouble with ants getting into my hummingbird feeder. Not only were they drinking all the syrup, they were chasing off the birds. Research on-line recommending an ant moat, others highly recommended using packing tape around the hook, still others used poison, which of course wasn’t an option here.
Since I had packing tape in the office, I decided that was the easiest and cheapest solution! It didn’t work – at all. The ants walked right across the tape without any problems.
I decided to buy and ant moat. After looking at so many plastic and metal ones that received mediocre reviews, I came across this beauty.
Now the hummingbirds can enjoy their drink without the ants and I don’t have to make nectar as often. I love watching these little guys from my kitchen window as I do dishes.
Do you have issues with pests at your hummingbird feeders? Any tips to keep them away?
Share this:
Leafless Trees
This time of year I’m always on the lookout for bird nests. With the leaves off the trees they’re easy to spot. I walked by this spot a million times in the summer and had no idea there was a nest here. It’s only about 2.5 feet off the ground.
I also loved seeing that the little bird used shredded paper from my compost pile along with birch bark. I have not idea what kind of bird built this beautiful nest, I’ll have to do some research to see if I can figure it out. Or perhaps one of you can give us the answer.
Bird nests are truly amazing to me. I could never build something so intricate with 10 fingers and birds manage to build them with their beaks. You can be I’ll be keeping a keen eye out for more of these little beauties. This one might be cut from it’s perch to put on a shelf in my office.
What do you like most about the trees being leafless?
