Owl House Up!

Our pipeline easement along the northern edge of our property is being widened so there has been a crew of tree men here for a week or more.  I watched them clamber up trees to trim overhanging limbs and realized they could put up my owl house for me.  I spoke to one of them during their lunch hour on Wednesday and Reynaldo said he could come on Saturday to do it for me.  Here is a photo essay of the process.

The owl box purchased in VT (link).

I added wood shavings because the owls don't build a nest.

Selected this sycamore after the first one I realized was too close to neighbors backyard,  Box must 100+ feet from a house.

Reynaldo starts by throwing a weight over a very high limb with a light rope attached.  He uses that then to pull up the climbing rope.

Box is attached to rope to pull up once he's up there.

He straps on his gear but no spikes, not for live trees, he says.

The climb begins.

Pulls up on the rope.

The raises the rope girding the tree.

Up and up.  Over 20 feet high to limb on the right.

He's there.

Up goes the owl box.

He stashed his cordless drill and a knife in there.

His girlfriend and two youngsters watched from their car.

Fastening the box to the trunk.

Hammering in the base before he heads down.

Here is the box this evening high up in the tree.

Awaiting resident barred owls.

Who, who, who cooks for you?

Who Are These Visitors?

I know it says welcome at my front door but ...

I'm not sure I would open the door to these two visitors.

What are they?

A Walk Around the House

Come take a walk with me out my front door, glancing at the ferns that are wintering in the vestibule.

The front garden needs work next spring.  Lavender bushes are getting old and need replacing, a good mulch must be laid to keep down the invasive weeds.  Hydrangeas still holding on to some color on this fall day.

Stopping by the vegetable garden on the east side of the house.  I may get some more snow peas yet but I know we'll enjoy the greens, tatsoi and bok choy that are still growing.

We have a buried pipeline easement that runs along the northern edge of the property.  A tree company has been taking down trees that have encroached upon it.  I may use some of that wood for a sculpture. Other will be used for the fire pit.

Continuing to the south side passed the pond.

The miscanthus has been lassoed to keep it more upright so I can see to drive in the garage.

This volunteer cedar will have to be moved next spring.  Where to?

Hens and chicks doing well.

These pots were too heavy to move.  The plants won't survive a hard frost.

Hosta are long gone.

Porch furniture and decorations put away.

Perennial garden trimmed and ready for winter.

Still some color in the woods.

Coming around to the west side of the house, the garden shed and then the shop come into view.

Along the shop the hazelnuts are flanked by butterfly bushes.  No nuts this year.

Almost back to our starting point.

Back to the front door.

I've made lots of mental notes on what needs doing come spring 2014.  Something to look forward to as this year comes to an end.