Post by: krissel on June 17, 2007, 10:02:02 PM
Looks a lot like a signalman on a ship.
[attachment=378:dragonfly_copy.jpg]
Post by: sandbox on June 18, 2007, 01:42:18 AM
Nice shot!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...n_whitetail.jpg
Post by: Gregg on June 18, 2007, 07:43:33 AM
In my back yard Saturday; an orphaned baby bird. Kept walking at me and squawking. I thought it was defending its turf. After awhile, I decided it was a cry of distress. My wife gave it some water from the end of a (disconnected) hose. But, there wasn't much we could do. Other birds flew down after I was inside, but they left it to fend for itself. By the next morning, it was gone.
Post by: krissel on June 19, 2007, 02:47:44 AM
Early morning visitors:
[attachment=381:doe_two_fawns.JPG]
This little guy was scampering about:
[attachment=382:baby_chuck.JPG]
When he got scared he ran back to join his siblings:
[attachment=383:baby_woodchucks.JPG]
Post by: Paddy on June 19, 2007, 01:19:09 PM
(or not for the humans, at any rate!)We've had raccoons, a rabbit, squirrels and various birds but the only real nuisance is a red-winged blackbird that attacks us! We assume that there is a nest nearby, but he'll fly right at your head (when you're not looking, of course) and the rest of the time sits on the telephone wires scolding us. He goes absolutely ballistic when the cats are out and dive-bombs them too; not something they're used to! They've taken to creeping through the perennial beds rather than crossing the open lawn.
Post by: gunug on June 19, 2007, 01:36:36 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 19, 2007, 03:57:08 PM
The pond has cleared up well, water lilies are doing great, split the four roots into 9 pots last Spring. Had eleven blooming today! All the fish made it through the Winter in good shape, the two smallest/youngest actually seemed to gain weight even tough they don't really eat when the water is less than 50°.
Post by: jcarter on June 19, 2007, 08:31:48 PM
And I might as well put the new Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard ferry picture in at the same time.
Post by: kimmer on June 19, 2007, 11:45:30 PM
ABD, your pond is really ... blooming.
The 3rd one (with the bloomin' lilies) would be a great desktop! (hint)My backyard has rhodies, some in bloom, some not. I'll see if I can get a pic tomorrow.
On a recent trip we saw a bear! He was only just across the road in someone else's backyard. He looked at us. We stopped and looked at him, and I sat there mentally yelling at myself for leaving the camera at home! He wasn't more than 300 ft or so from us.
We took a drive the other day and I got some wildflowers ... but I also got these 2 shots.
[attachment=392:bee1.jpg] [attachment=393:bee2.jpg]
Post by: jcarter on June 20, 2007, 06:53:27 AM
Jane
Post by: Gregg on June 20, 2007, 07:42:03 AM
QUOTE(jcarter @ Jun 20 2007, 06:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I love the way our forum handles the pictures now.
Yes, that makes loading faster, and gives you the option of using a magnifying glass, or clicking to enlarge the image.
John, you need to fix that patio... or do you ice skate out there in winter?
I had a similar problem at the end of a small retaining wall around our lilac bushes on one side of the yard. (The orphaned bird I mentioned was hanging out a the other lilac bushes.) I removed the bricks and put some pea gravel under the low side. But, that's a much simpler problem to fix than an entire patio, especially if it's poured, not paved!
Post by: gunug on June 20, 2007, 12:56:24 PM
Post by: sandbox on June 20, 2007, 05:28:00 PM
Petunia Hibiscus Frangipani
Post by: Texas Mac Man on June 20, 2007, 08:09:11 PM
Cheers, Tom
Post by: jcarter on June 20, 2007, 08:17:23 PM
Yes, Texas is one huge state and you have some high elevations that aren't as hot and tropical, from what I see on maps.
Great picture, must be a lovely climate for you year around.
Jane
Edit, add,
Here is our yard in May, and May is cold and the trees and plants are struggling to put out leaves and flowers,
http://www.jcarter.net/flowertime/may-flowers1.html
Post by: Highmac on June 21, 2007, 04:54:52 AM
I've read that a lot of Americans think London is cloaked in a year-round fog...
Post by: jcarter on June 21, 2007, 07:07:10 AM
Its great the way we TS people show the pictures of where we live, its fun. Yes, we do have some lovely scenery here in USA and this is the time of year that its nice in New England too. Winters are nice too, if you like to ski.
(Ive never watched Sopranos, so dont know what type of landscapes they show, nor where its based.)
Jane
Post by: Highmac on June 21, 2007, 07:22:13 AM
Took a few quick shots of our back garden to mark Midsummer's Day and posted them here. It's not particularly sunny today and some of the pictures need a bit of tweaking but hope it gives some idea.
The yellow flowers in front of the pond wall are marigolds which will be planted this weekend. And the patches of long grass serve a double purpose - a little haven for butterflies and bees (hopefully). And less grass for me to cut!
The only animals we get are rabbits, squirrels (grey), the occasional hedgehog and a neighbour's cat, Cleo. Although a neighbour did wake up a while back to find the neighbouring farmer's cows demolishing their garden after getting through a broken fence.
Kriss: Just what IS that animal in your second and third pix? We've googled prairie dog and groundhog and it looks kinda like both of them.
Post by: Gregg on June 21, 2007, 07:29:01 AM
QUOTE(Highmac @ Jun 21 2007, 07:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Kriss: Just what IS that animal in your second and third pix? We've googled prairie dog and groundhog and it looks kinda like both of them.
hedgehog?
Post by: Highmac on June 21, 2007, 07:41:47 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/193.shtml
They also have their own hospital St Tiggywinkles, named after the hedgehog character in a Beatrix Potter book for very small children.
Loads of very cute pictures here
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 22, 2007, 04:23:42 PM
Post by: Paddy on June 22, 2007, 04:39:14 PM
Post by: krissel on June 23, 2007, 05:16:00 AM
Yup, groundhog or woodchuck. I've had a family every year living near the garage or under the enclosed porch. The neighborhood is full of them by now. In the spring they eat the dandelions so they are helpful in that respect.
Yeah Paddy, I long ago gave up on any kind of garden. And kimmer, remember my mentioning the ajuga (bugle), note the yard is nothing but in that area.
Here a shot of the kids with Mom on guard.
[attachment=409:mom_kids_woodchuck.jpg]
Besides Chuck and his progeny my yard is home to lots of other little critters like the ubiquitous squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, possum and raccoons (one was on the roof last summer and looked down at me through the skylight).
Unfortunately I've had a couple other visitors this year who are causing a lot of carnage.
I've encountered over a dozen of these piles of feathers in the yard so far in the past few weeks.
[attachment=407:feathers.jpg]
Seems as though there are a pair of hawks decimating the local bird population.
Post by: Highmac on June 23, 2007, 05:46:58 AM
PS: Nobody noticed I'd put the same picture in twice (or are you all just too polite?)
Post by: Frances144 on June 23, 2007, 06:02:14 AM
That grass in the banner!
Post by: jcarter on June 23, 2007, 07:21:42 AM
The grass in our yard has the sparkles of last nights raindrops too.
The chipmunks drink the little drops instead of climbing up our birdbath.
Jane
Post by: kimmer on June 23, 2007, 11:58:21 AM
QUOTE(krissel @ Jun 23 2007, 02:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And kimmer, remember my mentioning the ajuga (bugle), note the yard is nothing but in that area.
Lovely stuff. Grows wild around here, but I bought a small plant for my front yard -- although my plant looks different then yours. Must be the weather or something.
QUOTE(Highmac @ Jun 23 2007, 02:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
PS: Nobody noticed I'd put the same picture in twice (or are you all just too polite?)
Polite.
Post by: sandyman on June 23, 2007, 02:30:41 PM
Usually dead things that big cat has brought back as a present
Sandy
Post by: Gregg on June 23, 2007, 04:17:23 PM
QUOTE(krissel @ Jun 23 2007, 05:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yup, groundhog or woodchuck. I've had a family every year living near the garage or under the enclosed porch.
At least you know when winter will end...
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 23, 2007, 06:23:58 PM
Post by: krissel on June 24, 2007, 03:35:56 AM
In my subsequent surfing I found this site which is run by a couple photography teachers who will try to identify any insects you might come across. They have a full gallery of pics.
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/
Oh, and while I was at my folks the other day I spotted this unusual specimen which I later identified as the male variety of Parentis Canonika.
[attachment=411:Dad_camera.jpg]
He was trying to capture this fast fading rainbow which emerged after a brief storm.
[attachment=412:rainbow_fading.jpg]
One never knows what might appear in the yard.
Post by: Gregg on June 24, 2007, 04:48:26 PM
Post by: Highmac on June 25, 2007, 10:13:03 AM
- and tracked down the plant. It's officially elodea crispa
According to Pond Solutions:
QUOTE
The best and most efficient oxygenator is without doubt Laragasiphon major, otherwise known as Elodea crispa or Curly Pond weed.
Find that quote, about halfway down the page, and you can read on.
It certainly helps keep our pondwater clean, and the growth rate means it also contributes regularly to the compost heap
Post by: kimmer on June 25, 2007, 11:40:44 AM
We were surprised yesterday to look out our dining room and see these fine young'uns. Sneakers has the close ups that he took through the window (but he hasn't shared them with me yet - so I can't share them with you) ... but I got this shot when we stepped out front about 10 min. later and were as surprised as these critters to see them in our neighbors front yard. I managed to grab one picture before they took off.
[attachment=413:pair_deer640.jpg]
Post by: jcarter on June 25, 2007, 12:12:21 PM
Our local herd ate all the azaleas in our front yard last year, we were so angry. The best way to keep them away that we've discovered so far, is to brush our grand-dog and get lots of her long fuzzy fur entwined into the branches of the azaleas. It takes a lot of fur to do this, but she is one big fuzzy dog.
Deer are also the vector for the ticks (Deer ticks) which carry Lyme disease around here. You see more deer, you have more cases of Lyme.
Here is our best repellent,
Post by: kimmer on June 25, 2007, 10:22:10 PM
QUOTE(jcarter @ Jun 25 2007, 09:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just as long as they stay out of our yard!
Losing battle if you live in their territory.
Sneakers shared his pics with me. They are a bit grainy as he was shooting through the screen and double-paned glass ... but still:
The buck - you can see his antlers:
http://spatulagraphics.com/deer/buck1.jpg
The doe - I wanted to go out and pet her:
http://spatulagraphics.com/deer/doe1.jpg
http://spatulagraphics.com/deer/doe2.jpg
Post by: jcarter on June 26, 2007, 06:57:03 AM
Have you ever seen what one group of deer can do to one apple orchard in a few hours? They can put the owner out of business.
Of course for us, its not economics, its just sad when they chew your nice garden stuff. But the coyote urine crystal stuff and the dog fur is working, so we will keep it up. And will have our grand-dog here more often, as she loves to chase them, and they dont come back for a good while after she has gone after them.
Weve contacted several bow-hunters throught our local gun clubs, and have permission from the owner of the largest tracts of woods for them to hunt there, so that should help for next winter.
I am a chicken, I couldnt shoot anything, nor watch. So just hope the hunters can 'thin the herd' a bit.
We do have an expanding pack of large coyotes in the area, and that seems to help too, though they prefer to dine on the rabbits and squirrels more.
Jane
Post by: kimmer on June 26, 2007, 05:42:30 PM
QUOTE(jcarter @ Jun 26 2007, 03:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Gee, if they come that close, and if you have flowers, gardens, or fruit trees, youve got trouble brewing.
Hey, Jane. Thanks for your concern. Trouble brewing? Only because WE invaded THEIR territory. We live in a forest (check us out via GoogleEarth). On a reg. basis we see: bear, deer, elk, eagles, osprey, hawks, raccoons, cormorants, blue heron, pelicans, stellar jays, woodpeckers, ducks, Canadian geese, turkey vultures, chickeries, and of course, sea gulls, crows and ravens. There are more "wild" animals in this area (tons more birds than I want to mention, plus they've spotted wolves at the other end of our street), but you get my drift. It's a grand place to live and you either learn to respect and live with the wild life, or you need to consider moving.
QUOTE
Have you ever seen what one group of deer can do to one apple orchard in a few hours? They can put the owner out of business.
Yes, and I'm sorry for orchard owners; but the wild animals were here first.
Besides, farming is always a gamble. If it's not the deer, it's bugs, rain, lack of rain, heat, cold or something else. Tough way to make a living.QUOTE
Of course for us, its not economics, its just sad when they chew your nice garden stuff.
Yeah, they were out front last night munching on our plants and I thought "Get away!", but like I said it's THEIR territory that I moved into.
QUOTE
Weve contacted several bow-hunters throught our local gun clubs, and have permission from the owner of the largest tracts of woods for them to hunt there, so that should help for next winter.
Hunting is seriously controlled here. Seriously. There is a lottery type system in place for permits for elk and deer. I don't totally understand it, but I know it involves points and years of trying to get a hunting permit. The reason? The herds were almost wiped out. The deer were hit by a disease and the elk were over hunted.
One of the first things we did when we moved here was to attend the teaching nights that the Dept. of Fish and Wild Life have on how to live with the bears, deer, elk, etc. I was surprised to learn that one of the worst things a homeowner can do is to put out bird feeders and hummingbird feeders. Those feeders will attract the raccoons, bears and deer (not to mention how wrong I think it is to feed hummingbirds - but that's another topic for another day).
We also know that small dogs must be on a leash, and it's not wise to have cats outdoors due to the raptors that hunt in this area. It goes with the territory.
Anyhow, now we're way off topic ... so I'll share a few flower pics. These are from the side of the road, but we are going to plant some in our back yard. They are known as Rock Roses:
http://spatulagraphics.com/deer/rockrose1.jpg
http://spatulagraphics.com/deer/rockrose2.jpg
Post by: jcarter on June 26, 2007, 07:29:03 PM
So those of us who donate and buy and do everyting to protect land can be derailed by the state mandates, which incedentely, nobody was allowed to vote upon! And its the rich developers from elsewhere who are gaining from this practise.
So those of us who have given and bought and faught, are actually losing. And the deer who are starving and coming into our areas are breeding at a horrendous rate, and end up not having habitat to live in. It is not their fault, as you know, but we who love our gardens suffer the consequenses.
Like when they invade your very yard, its rather upsetting, when they have plenty of woods to eat in, and they come in and get your plants. It only takes an hour to wreak havoc in a little garden. So you can see we are caught in a crossroads here on Cape Cod, we can do what we can to grab open land, but our resources are limited(talking towns as well as homeowners), so we put up with this. I would buy every single hunk of open land if we could afford it, but we cannot compete with the developers who come in, strip land and build, let the houses sit on the market, and eventually they sell.
Its difficult to deal with, just look at North Falmouth on GE, and you see how invasive it is. Our Otis air force base is the last really open land that we have that is sort of protected.
So we keep on donating to our land banks, keep on buying little stuff ourselves and dealing, but its not easy.
And the deer are becoming serious. Look at Nantucket, Ive got pictures of the runt sized deer, as they breed like rabbits and then starve in the winters. They come up to you begging. I wont get into the Lyme disease here.
Oh, I realize I am getting really horrendously longwinded here, but this is a topic in our local papers that has been written on expansively and is an ongoing problem.
Jane
Post by: Gregg on June 26, 2007, 08:46:39 PM
Post by: krissel on June 27, 2007, 12:32:10 AM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Jun 23 2007, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE(krissel @ Jun 23 2007, 02:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And kimmer, remember my mentioning the ajuga (bugle), note the yard is nothing but in that area.
Lovely stuff. Grows wild around here, but I bought a small plant for my front yard -- although my plant looks different then yours. Must be the weather or something.
Kimmer, the ajuga can be seen in the first picture of the baby woodchuck, on the other side of the walkway. That's what it looks like when it's been cut by the lawnmower, no blue flowers. It completely covers the ground so no grass can exist but at least it is a slow grower and stays relatively short.
Post by: kimmer on June 27, 2007, 08:53:46 PM
Post by: krissel on June 28, 2007, 02:05:19 AM
Kimmer, there are apparently several different versions of ajuga. Mine is the common green variety with the deep blue/purple flowers on 6" stems. It was really pretty last month while in bloom... until I cut it with the mower.
http://www.yardener.com/Ajuga.html
In full flower:
http://www.ajuga.org/
The bottom picture is like my variety but all green, no dark leaves cause it is in a mostly shaded area:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consume...ga_reptans.html
Post by: kimmer on June 28, 2007, 03:04:20 AM
I had no idea there was such a variety.So much to learn about plants, and so little time to kill them all off.
Post by: krissel on June 29, 2007, 03:08:30 AM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Jun 28 2007, 04:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So much to learn about plants, and so little time to kill them all off.
Post by: Highmac on June 29, 2007, 04:48:58 AM
QUOTE(krissel @ Jun 29 2007, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE(kimmer @ Jun 28 2007, 04:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So much to learn about plants, and so little time to kill them all off.
I'm only allowed to remove weeds under supervision...
After nettles and brambles I'm pretty well stumped, although anything growing between the paving slabs is fair game. And I am good at cutting the grass
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 29, 2007, 04:20:57 PM
But I never cut it with a mower, I thought it was supposed to be allowed to spread and cover the ground, it never got more than six inches high, anyway.
Post by: dolphin on June 29, 2007, 10:33:57 PM
Post by: krissel on July 01, 2007, 05:06:05 AM
http://critterguy.museum.msu.edu/FieldGuide/Snakes.html
http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_mat...ess_lizards.htm
Post by: dolphin on July 01, 2007, 05:59:30 AM
I never got a look at it's belly, however; I do believe it's tongue was red with a black tip. Sooooooo...I guess it was a garter snake. Thanks for the links! Good reading!
Post by: krissel on July 04, 2007, 09:29:44 AM
Well, the fawns are back and growing:
[attachment=424:fawns.jpg]
And remember the piles of feathers? I suspected there might be more than one hawk but I never imagined there were four!
Here are three of the buggers conspiring:
[attachment=425:threesome.jpg]
While the fourth kept a lookout from a nearby branch:
[attachment=426:hawk_close.jpg]
I think my next step is to try a scarecrow, or scarehawk...
Post by: kimmer on July 04, 2007, 12:47:15 PM
Your hawks (red tails?) are grand. Yes, I know they are pests as well ... but I rather like raptors. Again, just my opinion.
Post by: kimmer on July 05, 2007, 10:44:23 AM
Post by: krissel on July 06, 2007, 08:04:14 AM
I hear the hawks' calls quite frequently so this morning I was imitating them when I heard a noise above me and saw this on the skylight:
[attachment=433:hawk_on_skylight.jpg]
I decided to take a little video clip with my digital camera. Notice when I imitate his call he pecks on the window.
http://home.att.net/~krissel/wsb/media/148765/Hawk.AVI
Post by: kimmer on July 06, 2007, 12:07:55 PM
Post by: krissel on July 16, 2007, 01:12:58 AM
Because they've killed off or chased all the birds away I was able to pick about 2/3 pint of red raspberries this aft with more yet to come.
Post by: Gregg on July 16, 2007, 07:31:25 AM
Fencing keeps the rabbits out of our garden, but the only perennial goodies (goody) would be the rhubarb. However, we did pick 18 pounds of blueberries at a farm last weekend.
Post by: sandbox on July 19, 2007, 02:44:48 PM
Post by: krissel on July 20, 2007, 02:13:14 AM
Last summer I noticed my birdbath had overturned and was face down but didn't bother to reset it for a couple days. When I did I was surprised to find a Possum dead underneath. He had apparently climbed up for a drink and it tipped over and trapped him.
Like the shot of the yucca.
Post by: sandbox on July 20, 2007, 04:02:58 AM
That's the 65 now maybe 70 foot pine to my western view, it gives us relief from the afternoon sun. If it ever came down i'd be in trouble! It's 20 ft. from my bedroom. We have a bunch bird baths it's always eventful to watch them, especially the snakes.
Post by: kimmer on July 20, 2007, 12:09:03 PM
Post by: krissel on July 21, 2007, 01:14:03 AM
QUOTE(sandbox @ Jul 20 2007, 05:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That's the 65 now maybe 70 foot pine to my western view, it gives us relief from the afternoon sun. If it ever came down i'd be in trouble! It's 20 ft. from my bedroom.
Oh, that makes me feel better. I've been sweating the two 60' Norway spruces that are about 10 feet from my house. Two tree men I called in each said to leave them be...
Post by: Gregg on July 21, 2007, 07:56:57 PM
Post by: sandbox on July 31, 2007, 03:47:40 PM
Post by: krissel on August 01, 2007, 01:10:51 AM
Looks almost like a giant aphid.
Post by: kimmer on August 01, 2007, 03:42:32 AM
Cool photo.
Post by: Gregg on August 01, 2007, 07:32:52 AM
QUOTE(krissel @ Aug 1 2007, 01:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow. Grasshopper?
Not Grasshopper. Legs not crossed, arms not folded.