Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Fishing for Tadpoles - A Spectator Sport

Last evening after dinner I happened to look out towards the pond and there was a deer on the far side overlooking the pond. A second deer was on the edge of the glen. My first concern was what were they eating! When I moved to the study window for a better look I discovered that the deer on the pond was a spectator. There was a raccoon fishing for tadpoles on the edge of the pond. The deer was watching it intently. I've never seen animal species (other than cats or dogs) so intent on what another species is doing.

Before long the raccoon finished up and then sauntered under my deck! Oh no! The deer by this time had become aware of me and stared me down trying to smell what I was. I moved and they both were gone.

Time to spray another dose of Liquid Fence and sprinkle some small critter banisher around the deck. As I was finishing up I saw the raccoon had been routed from under the deck and was at the edge of the glen. I shooed it on away for this time.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Garden Sculptures


Several 200+ year old cedar trees were cut down along the lane to our house by the electric company. It was very sad to see them go needlessly according to one neighbor. We salvaged some of the wood. Dan will make some bowls on his lathe. He has 12 pieces to play with. I took pieces to make sculptures for the glen garden. What do you think?


This one will look better once the ferns I transplanted fill out.

Vegetable Garden Status


Blueberry bushes are doing well. Full of blossoms.


Peas in this bed have not done well, even after replanting. I took off the chicken wire screen and planted more beets there instead.


A volunteer squash of unknown variety.


One lonely lettuce seedling. None of the others did anything.


Spinach from last fall has been delicious.


Beets are so so. I expected more to show up. This bed gets a screen cover to keep the turkey from eating the peas.


Garlic doing well.


The bed with more peas, Brussels sprouts and spinach.

I'm not impressed with the germination rate of the seeds I bought this year. Spinach, beets, lettuce, and peas have not germinated as I expected them to. I planted more beets, and lettuce today and planted the mesculun seed mix I had purchased in Vermont last year that did well.