BIRDS...ROBINS and BIRD BOXES...AN AWESOME LEARNING EXPERIENCE

"The sun is sinking slowly in the western sky"...a few words from one of my favorite songs sung by John Denver. As this gorgeous day draws to a close, so does the month of April. The scenery in our backyard has changed dramatically over the past few weeks. Snowbirds have finally left it for a more northern destination. Robins are back. As I sit here writing, robins twitter about outside my open window singing their old familiar evening songs. Once again I awaken in the early dawn to hear their repertoire as they serenade their mates. Robins have become like faithful old friends. Every spring we welcome their return. They seem to love our backyard, scratching in our gardens and bathing in our little pond. Each year they build nests in the small red maple and tall pines. A few years ago we had an unfortunate experience that caused me to fear our relationship with them might be altered forever. We found plans on-line on how to build a box for robins to nest in. We had other bird boxes and sparrows in particular made use of them year after year. So we decided to try one for a robin. To our amazement, shortly after building one and fastening it fairly high up onto the trunk of our silver maple tree, a robin began building a nest in it. Excitedly, we watched as the female sat patiently on her eggs through every imaginable kind of weather. Then the day came when the eggs hatched. Again, we watched as mom and dad devotedly cared for their young. They grew quickly and became bolder and bolder, stepping closer and closer to the edge of the box and gazing out into the brand new world awaiting them. That's when we got the idea of taking pictures of them. Someone we knew had a great camera with a zoom. After numerous snaps the temptation grew to get even closer. Climbing a ladder to snap a really close-up shot seemed innocent enough. None of us could have even imagined the havoc that step would cause. When the photographer reached the top the baby birds suddenly decided it was time to get serious about using those little wings they'd been flexing and practicing with. One of them leaped from the box and went gliding down onto the lawn. At the same time mom and dad robin went into a rage. Our thoughts were to capture the baby bird and return it to the nest. So despite the protests of the parents that is what we attempted to do. However, as the person carrying the fledgling reached to place it into the nest another one put its wings into action and glided out and down onto the lawn. Upon release, the first one had no interest in staying put either and again glided back down. Now there were two on the ground. Mom and dad were in a panic, screaming and darting about frantically. We were all just totally heartsick for causing these birds we love such distress. It had seemed like such an innocent thing to do. No one could have imagined this would happen. Fortunately, the fledglings were ready to use their tiny wings and could get themselves up off of the ground and into some of the lower branches of our shrubs and bushes. From there they hopped higher and higher. The upper portion of the shrubs weren't very far from the limbs of our tall pine trees. For the next several days we watched as the parents continued to guard them and feed them. So for that family of robins all ended well. However, for us it did not. That incident happened several years ago. Never since has a family of robins built in our boxes. I don't know just how birds communicate experiences, etc. to each other. It does seem like one so unpleasant as that was has been passed on from robin to robin ever since though. As they still continue to return to our backyard each Spring and busy themselves building nests in the same old familiar places they take special care to always avoid our boxes - like they've never forgotten. What an unfortunate learning experience it was. I've included a photo of the nesting box attached to one of our pine trees that a family of sparrows have been using successfully for the past ten years. We kept none of the robins.

Monarch Butterflies - Photos - Watching a monarch butterfly emerge from its chrysalis...

What a gorgeous day it is! While sunlight glistens upon our brilliantly colorful daffodils, bright red tulips, bluebottles and narcissis a delightful scent of hyacinth drifts on the warm breeze. Bird sounds fill the air and the sky is a cloudless blue. A small white butterfly ( which I should probably think of more as a moth) fluttered by, a welcome reminder of more to come - butterflies - monarchs in particular. Last summer presented us a unique experience with a monarch butterfly. For the past several years we've been working to make our backyard an inviting place for butterflies of all kinds. We always grow a few carrots so they can find sweetness in the tops; lots of parsley and dill for them to deposit their larvae on; butterfly weed and butterfly bushes. Each summer we keep adding more and more native plants here and there. Little did we know just how much our efforts would eventually pay off and create for us a unique and amazing experience though.

I like to grow morning glory vines, sweet peas and and sometimes even purple bean vines to wind up along our tall bird feeder post during the time when its not in use. Last summer, late in August, I happened to notice something unusual underneath the wooden rail that juts out from the feeder post that holds a hanging basket. A closer look showed it to be a chrysalis. Needless to say, we were delighted to have spotted it. We so much wanted to watch the monarch emerge from it but knew chances of that happening were slim. Time passed. Then one Saturday morning I walked out into the backyard and when I stopped to check it. Much to my surprise the event we'd been awaiting was happening - right before my eyes. The monarch was emerging! I called Bob and together we kept our eyes glued to it. He began clicking photos. When it had fully emerged, the monarch just stayed there, resting for what seemed like hours. We began to wonder if it was all right. The colors on it were brilliant. It looked so healthy. Still it seemed to be taking awfully long to fly away. Finally, it began to move, first walking, then practicing moving its wings slowly up and down. I wanted it to fly and get on with its life while at the same time wished I could just keep it there forever. It was so gorgeous. Suddenly it took off, flying gently on a breeze. We watched as it flapped its wings and left. My emotions felt all mixed up seeing it grow smaller and smaller. Then to our complete surprise it turned and began flying back toward us. I held out an arm and to my utter amazement it gently landed on my hand, appearing quite tired. I sat down and allowed it to rest there. It stayed for a long, long time. My eyes kept drinking in ever detail of its breathtaking beauty. Eventually, it again began moving its wings up and down - and then lifted off. It made a few trips around the yard and then landed high up on a lattice work filled with vines. There it stayed for another lengthy rest as the sun began to set. The next day it was gone from there but as I watched a very brilliant monarch busily lapping up nectar from our fragrant purple butterfly bush I knew it was our baby. What an awesome and delightful experience it was.

CHILDREN'S GARDEN - BACKYARD FUN AND ADVENTURE

Several years ago two of our little grandchildren asked if they could have gardens of their very own in our backyard. They had seen ours and found them delightful. So when the seed catalogs began showing up at the end of winter we began planning. Together, we spent a lot of time searching and talking about the zillions of specimens being offered. Every flower they saw looked so pretty. It was hard to choose just what they would benefit most from in the small space each would have to work with. Then there was the sun/shade factor to consider. Although the space they would be using for their gardens was located in the sunniest part of our yard, no place in it received full sun all day long. They had to think hard about whether they wanted all flowers, all veggies, or a mix of both. We had a lot of searching and talking and measuring to do before it all finally came together. It was also a fun way to pass the closing weeks of a cold winter season and find hope and joy ahead by envisioning gardens full of colorful flowers and yummy veggies. They both finally decided they wanted a mix of flowers and veggies. One wanted more flowers though. They each choose to plant one cherry tomato stalk, looking forward to being able to pick off the luscious little red fruit whenever they wanted to. Soon a plan of action was in place. We measured the space each would have and I explained how big each plant would grow to be. All to be taken into consideration when they began planting. It was an exciting day when the seeds arrived in the mail. As the weather grew warmer we added organic compost and worked up the soil. Then came the fun part as they went about making short rows, raking and hoeing and finally sowing the seeds and covering them with fine soil. Anxiously they watched, awaiting the day when bright green seedlings would finally appear. Eventually, the row of carrots came up - so thick that they had to tediously and carefully thin them - as did most everything they'd planted from seed. One of them chose to grow a couple of green bean stalks. The other insisted on having a head of cabbage - for mommy. We visited a nursery for this and for flowers that take too long to start from seed. Before long they each had a thriving little garden brimming over with flowers and a few veggies. They collected stones and used them to draw a line between the two gardens and sticks marked the short rows. Two markers, one a frog and the other a butterfly boldly sporting each of their names, were set into the soil identifying whose garden it was. By the time summer was in full force each was thoroughly enjoying reaping the reward of their labor. They'd learned a lot about seeds, where they came from and what they needed to thrive and grow into plants. About shade and sun; the effects of crowding and the tough decision to eliminate some for the sake of others; what kind of food different plants needed; how necessary moisture is; the importance of mulching. And definitely about weeds and how persistent they can be. How even mulching doesn't keep them completely away. They also learned how difficult it can be to get into the garden and pull those weeds without stepping on the good plants. They had fun playing games with the funny snapdragons; watching bees and butterflies visit their plants. They learned about big green worms that love to eat parsley and how they later turn into gorgeous butterflies. Picking a colorful bouquet from their very own garden and presenting it to mommy offered a unique delight all its own. By late summer as some of the cosmos became spent nature had yet another surprise in store for them as American Gold Finches came to visit the flowers and eat the tiny seeds. As sunflower heads aged they discovered that totally unbeknown to them Blue Jays had been watching them closely, eager to snatch the seeds away as soon as they were ready. Having a garden of their own had been a great learning experience for girls - filled with fun and mystery and work and play. I hope it has stirred up a joy within them that will stay for the rest of their lives. I will always cherish and appreciate having had that opportunity to teach them about the joy of gardening and nature and to watch their wide-eyed wonder and excitement each step of the way. That was a great summer in our backyard!

HEALTHY EATING - ORGANICALLY - straight from your own backyard garden.

As more and more people choose organically grown foods, stores are complying by offering an ever increasing variety for sale. Organic co-ops keep springing up everywhere. Organically grown foods purchased directly from farmers are becoming more and more numerous. The web offers a wealth of info. on the subject. However, most crops grown organically come with a pretty high price tag attached to them. So why not begin turning your own back yard into an organic haven. The earth will love you for it. Birds and bees and butterflies will show their appreciation by choosing your yard for their place to sing and flutter and buzz about in. Begin by making a conscious decision to never again put chemicals or herbicides on your soil. COMPOST!!! Save every fruit and veggie scrap you have. They are so valuable. I keep a bowl in my kitchen for that precise purpose. When it's full it gets emptied onto a pile in the backyard that is kept surrounded by a small fence in a hidden area. There it needs to be watered and turned with a fork every now and then to keep it decomposing. Leaves, yard grass, garden waste is also added. Never add dairy, eggs, or meat scraps to your compost. Egg shells are great though and provide calcium. Coffee grounds are good, too, as are spent tea bags. You can go on line for a fancier way of composting if you choose. There are some excellent products for sale that you can purchase to use on a larger scale. For the two of us, this way of doing it provides a lot of rich black healthy compost every Spring that is simple and easy to produce. Purchasing heritage (or organic) seeds directly from organic suppliers, such as www.seedsofchange.com, and starting your own plants indoors assures that the little seedlings were started in organic potting soil as well. However, that takes time and space. More and more nurseries are offering native and organic plants for sale, too. You just have to check around to find them. Leafy lettuce is such an easy plant to grow. Start from seed sown directly into the garden in very early Spring. Spinach can be planted in late summer here in south central Pa., for an early Spring crop. It will winter over in the soil and come bounding back as soon as the weather warms. Snip the deep green leaves for making a delicious Quiche dish and for use in salads. etc. Put in a row or two of tiny onion sets for spring onions. Beets, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, (esp. organic cherry tomatoes for salads) and squash are just the greatest for summer dishes. They are all quite easy to grow. All of these and many more take up very little space and will provide not only delicious nutritious summer eating but pull us out of the house and into the backyard for fresh air, sunshine and exercise. I enjoy mixing flowers among the veggies in the gardens. It looks pretty and helps confuse bugs that would like to beat me to the goodies. Mulching is another important addition to successful crops. So don't forget to mulch. Lawn clipping work well for this, if you have enough and don't want to purchase garden mulch. It's also important to add a coating of lime to your soil each year. Fast acting type if spreading in Spring, or slow acting in the autumn. If you've never tried gardening, or organic gardening in particular, I urge you to do it. It does takes time, years, to build soil that has never been cared for in this way to become completely organic, but each year you care for your soil in this way is a step closer to bringing it back to the way nature intended. If you're unable to purchase all plants that are organic, any variety will thrive and be a great source of flavor and good nutrition when grown in healthy soil to which organic matter has been added. Read books and/or magazines on growing food and flowers organically. Search web sites on the subject. Then get busy, knowing you'll soon be reaping the reward of eating fresh, delicious and nutritious produce - direct from your own backyard. For any questions you may have on this subject, please contact me on this blog. I'll be happy to draw from my many years of organic gardening experience and try to be of help. Or, if I don't have an answer, perhaps readers will have ideas they would like to share that we can all learn from.