Along the trail

On October 21, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Hey Daddy-O

On October 18, 2021September 3, 2021 By Mike and ChristyLeave a comment

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Hey daddy-o what’s up?

Just hanging out enjoying the flowers in the garden.

“Daddy Long Legs belong to a family of spiders Pholcidae, commonly known as cellar spiders, daddy long-legs spider, granddaddy long-legs spider, carpenter spider, daddy long-legger, vibrating spider and skull spider, is a family of araneomorph spiders first described by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1850. It contains over 1800 species divided in 94 genera.”

Given the huge number of species might explain why we see them running about everywhere in the yard and often in the house all the time.

Pearly Everlasting: Anaphalis margaritacea

On September 26, 2021September 3, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

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The understated beauty of Pearly Everlasting is something in and of itself. A beautiful wildflower that attracts several species of butterflies most notable the Painted Lady. Simple yet elegant, rustic yet refined, perhaps everything a wild wildflower should be.

Like fingers

On September 24, 2021September 3, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

A wonderful and unusual fungus growing like fingers from the earth along the path of old tree decomposing lying just below the earths surface.

There were several cluster each with a wonderful beauty that made us ponder life myriad forms. Each form with a place and each important to the whole.

The diversity of life is natures greatest gift.

Under her wing

On September 6, 2021September 4, 2021 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

Upon first glance there was something a bit odd, a bit unusual about this female Ruffed Grouse. She just seemed a bit bigger, a bit puffed out compared to other females we have seen. It didn’t take long to figure out what was going on as you can only keep a clutch of fidgety Ruffed Grouse chicks still and under wraps for so long.

At first these little guys were just peeking out from under Mom’s wing a little cautious but ever so curious.

Yet within a minute or two they began to emerge from under cover.

Then in the blink of an eye they were darting out and into the tall grasses in search of a meal and quickly disappearing from sight.

We counted six little grouse emerge from under mom’s wings that morning. Each darting off into the cover of the grasses and the whole gang disappearing just as quick as they appeared.

Parting ways

On September 2, 2021September 2, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Late summer is always a bit of a down time for birders living in the more northern reaches. A time when the forest goes eerily silent and a feeling of loss seems to enter your heart. Thus it was a wonderful surprise to see this Warbling Vireo hop into plain sight a few days ago. While they look a bit low keyed they are prolific singers who had graced our forests with their songs most of June and early July. Then silence.

Wings of August

On August 31, 2021 By Mike and ChristyLeave a comment

With wings tattered and torn a Fritillary takes a sip of nectar on the coneflowers. Those tattered wings sure feel like a metaphor for the month that has passed.

We don’t know about you but we are looking forward to autumn this year.

When the chokecherries are ripe.

On August 30, 2021August 30, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

It was bound to happen.

Just as the chokecherries become ripe the Black Bears in the area make themselves just a bit more conspicuous.

This Bear sure looks like the little bear who was roaming the neighborhood last chokecherry season but all grown up.

It is sure nice seeing them if it is only an infrequent visit every now and again.

The big box

On August 28, 2021July 28, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

This summers bounty of Indian Paint Brush was like getting that big box of crayons you always wanted as a child. So many colors, so much fun to be had.