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Saturday, November 30, 2002
http://bronzefrogs.com/cheatsheet.html
Pamela Shorey
8:27 AM
First snow
We had our first snow of the season the day before Thanksgiving (Wed., Nov. 27, 2002). I had to clear off about 4 inches of snow from my car at 6:30 in the morning, before going to work. I cleared off the car, then went back inside to shower and dress for work. When I went back out 40 minutes or so later, another inch had fallen and I had to take another swipe at it. The 2nd time was easier, of course. I heard later that day that we had gotten about 7-8 inches total. That's a lot for any winter storm, especially so early in the winter -- technically it's still autumn -- and especially for the area of New England where I live, which has relatively low snowfall.
Thanksgiving Day was clear and sunny and the temperature hovered in the vicinity of freezing (32F, 0C). The roads had been plowed and in the sun what little was lift melted and dried out, so driving to my daughter's place was easy.
Friday afternoon and evening, it snowed again. I took a bowl of apple peelings out for the compost pile, but actually dumped them in a snowbank near a brush pile so they'd be accessible to any mice, rabbits, chipmunks, or raccoons that might be nearby and hungry. I mean to trek out back today and see if anyone made a dent in that little pile.
While I was outside - this was late afternoon - it was snowing lightly, a rather damp, clumping snow. I made a 2-foot tall snow Buddha by the tree I can see from my kitchen window. It's not a great Buddha, but I can just make out the form.
I guess it is the natural order of things that some small animals would weaken and perhaps die (or be hunted by others) during an early snowfall and I may upset that order by dropping some feed outside. It's hard to see where the line between compassion and wisdom falls.
Pamela Shorey
6:59 AM
Saturday, November 23, 2002
December gardening tasks
I got a newsletter from Ladd's Garden Center in South Windham listing some things to do next month. Tasks include the following:- Pull out the annuals from window boxes and planters, and replace with cut evergreens and real or artificial red berries and pinecones.
- Paperwhite and hyacinth that are started in early December will be close to blooming for the holidays.
- Keep Christmas cactus in cool areas as bloom begins, in order to prolong bloom time. (I have several cacti in bud!)
- Stock birdfeeders
You notice they didn't say rake your lawn. I guess they figure we've already taken care of that. *I* however, have a considerable amount of leaves about the place. On the other hand, I have already pulled up the dead annuals, tomato plants, etc. There are still a few pots outside of mostly dead stuff, but some are things that might winter over if I brought them in.
Pamela Shorey
12:59 PM
Thursday, November 21, 2002
Crow: Mass. Logs
At Crow's Net, click on the link to state-by-state logs. They are reports of interesting and curious behavior of crows. Crows are far smarter than given credit for.
...One large American crow was poking his head inside a small discarded Doritos bag, ostensibly to get a snack. Each time he stuck his head inside the opening the bag would move back a tiny amount, so it looks like he couldn't get at the contents inside. He (I'll use he but I don't know what gender the crow was) stepped to the side and examined the bag for a few moments, then walked towards the closed end and lifted it up with his beak, flying into the air a short distance, thus pointing the open end of the bag to the ground and letting the contents spill out onto the ground. The crow then discarded the bag (remarkably close to a trash can!) and flew back to eat the Doritos on the ground... From Crows Net
For generations, people liked to claim they were the only ones with intelligence. I like to think we are gradually waking up to the idea that intelligence is spread across the spectrum, and that there are different kinds of intelligence.
Maybe we are the only ones who, despite intelligence, act stupidly. We certainly do have a broad range of abilities.
The crow website is excellent. It is owned by my friend Mike Westerfield.
Pamela Shorey
6:33 AM
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
Nature Links
Links
Assorted links, many to natural history sites, such as birding in Connecticut, backyard moths, etc.
Pamela Shorey
9:18 PM
Frogs (and other amphibians)
Here are some links to frogs I thought you'd find interesting.
1. Bullfrog This distinguishes the green and bullfrogs, and males from females and has recordings of their songs
2. Vernal pool Interesting description of the importance of Vernal Pools (temporary spring ponds)
3. The famous frogs
4. Pickerel frog, often seen on lawns (and in meadows) resembles leopard frog
5. Spotted salamander. "Click for call"
That wet place in the woods? leave it alone! dont fill it in, dont chop down the trees! It's home to frogs, salamanders, freshwater shrimp andmore... and all those things are food for other items, including the stuff you like to watch ...or hunt.
Pamela Shorey
8:52 PM
Bullfrogs: Description, Habitat and Mating
Bullfrogs: Description, Habitat and Mating . If an approaching male ignores the warning call of the resident male, a fight can develop. The males fight by grabbing with their front legs, kicking with their back legs, and trying to flip each other over.
The stronger frog usually wins and may hold the other frog underwater for a short time.
These fights are very dangerous for the bullfrogs because they attract the attention of enemies. Snapping turtles, water snakes and large herons can get an easy meal when bullfrogs are fighting.
I've been thinking about frogs and went looking for photos.
The frog bridge in Willimantic has startling huge sculpted frogs stop giant concerete thread spools (don't ask) and there is something about the shape of the frogs that troubles me. One, the eyes are painted gold all over, not just where the irises would be. Two, the legs are long and slender and girlish.
Pamela Shorey
8:13 PM
Cold Climate Gardening
Cold Climate Gardening After removing the rocks, it was time to get some compost. We only have lazy-man's compost around here; we put it in a bin, and when the bin gets full, we move it to the next bin, and then the final bin. Consequently, compost in the final bin has lots of stuff still in it. That's why I like to sift it. My son Rundy built a wooden frame sized to fit over our wheelbarrows and stapled hardware cloth to it. It works just fine, but it's heavy. Rundy, who lifts weights, picks it up and shakes it to sift. I rest it on the wheelbarrow and shovel compost on top of the screen. Then, using a gloved hand, I push the compost around the screen until the good stuff has all fallen into the wheelbarrow. Then, saying a prayer for my back, I pick the frame off the wheelbarrow and dump the remains into bin #2 to compost some more. And I repeat the process until the wheelbarrow is full or I have as much compost as I need.
This is a lovely blog with excellent writing. There is something peaceful about gardens and the work one does in them that translates into clear writing. I guess because it eliminates the mental static, at least temporarily, and clarifies the thinking.
Pamela Shorey
5:34 PM
Saturday, November 02, 2002
i see the pond!
i see the pond! Branches blow, leaves scuttle down the street.
Kate's new pondblog. Take a look!
Pamela Shorey
9:37 PM
Friday, November 01, 2002
November's here
It's officially "late fall" now. We've had a few frosts, and nearly all the plant matter remaining outside has wilted down.
I lover the way periwinkle looks Somehow the freeze doesn't wilt those leaves and they stay green and attractive all winter.
I left a china pot outside that had a pink flowerring geranium in, providing some fall color in the flower bed out front. The geranium's dead, and I'd better bring in that pot before it cracks!
Pamela Shorey
9:53 AM
Comments by: YACCS
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