KABOOM, part 1. Ample moisture in the form of heavy thunderstorms and lingering fog, Encourages the spring wildflowers to continue their emergence from the forest floor. Dutchman’s Breeches struggles past some sticks in one spot while it stands up and stretches in another. Trillium emerge and begin to uncurl on the edge of the yard. Bloodroot is already achieving little blooms. Look carefully and check … Continue reading April 4, 2014
Stone Bunny says, “Well, if its going to snow, I would like to be with the snowdrops.” Snow it did – a quick bluster of large flakes. Fitting, with the cold weather. Spring is here….we think….we hope….we dream. C’mon Spring! You can do it!!!!! Over at the stump the cardinals show some good bird sense. They haven’t detected enough honest spring weather to vacate the … Continue reading March 26, 2014 – Birds, Flowers and Snow
Sound the trumpets and open the gates. Spring is here. The Race is on! The astronomers, geographers and physicists can all agree with the gardeners. The moment is at hand. Strike this notion of spring creep – the often observed effect that the weather feels like spring well before the equinox. Not this year. Oh no! Winter occupied its entire season, but the weather finally … Continue reading Vernal Equinox – 2014
Mary would like everyone to join her in a fond farewell to Winter. It has been a fabulous Winter with scenes like this and this But it is time to move on. Every living creature in the garden must surely agree on that by now. We have experienced one more – one final, we hope! – week of cold weather. The snowdrops must have been … Continue reading March 7, 2014
Its been a long, cold winter. The thaw we talked about last week was short lived. The beautiful snow was shredded then temps plummeted yet again. The rootin’ tootin’ Weather Channel has yet to show promise in the 10 day forecast. We are experiencing a bona fide Minnesota winter here in central Indiana! So where is the bright spot? Lets check into the west side. … Continue reading February 28, 2014
The air warms and thunderstorms pass through, positively SHREDDING the lovely snowpack we have been enjoying for the previous month. The good news is it feels like we’re moving towards Spring. The better news is that, eliminating the snow so quickly, we have the chance to see a snapshot of how some of the garden plants were faring under the snow. In this years Winter … Continue reading February 21, 2014
The Gang’s All Here. Woodpecker, cardinal and chickadee dine together. Nuthatch strikes a very nuthatch like pose. A couple of does look up from munching on fresh compost. The rhododendron bush stands tall and frozen with a doe in the background. The cardinal family chows down before calling it a day. A hopeful sunset brings tidings of Spring. We remain bound in a frozen world, … Continue reading February 12, 2014
Winter rages on: The birds go WILD! On an average winter day, there are four pairs of cardinals hanging around the feeders. With the winter storm beginning, the joint became busy. It appears there are 12 male and 7 female cardinals, numerous juncos and sparrows, with one gnarly grackle on top of the post, in this picture from Tuesday evening: Five males and four females … Continue reading February 5, 2014
Another view from Sunday: Moving on to Monday evening. The little creek is usually a dry bed, running water only after rain. It freezes only when a substantial rainfall yields to immediate cold. That condition occurred Saturday into Sunday and voila! The creek is full and frozen: This little lady looks alarmed: She spooks and runs into the ethereal light of the woods, tail flashing: … Continue reading February 4, 2014
A long, rainy Saturday gives way to eight inches of fresh snow overnight. Sunday breaks to a winter dream scene: Its a busy day at the stump and the feeders: The fine fare draws the attention of the larger breed of local critter: Continue reading February 3, 2014
In Jim's Garden 