Beware of Zebra Mussels!  Really? A small bivalve? What are these clam-like creatures going to do, crawl out from the bottom of a river and slime us while we’re sleeping? No, but they are indeed a threat to our environment and the Division of Wildlife Resources has declared them to be an invasive species to be concerned about. Here’s what DWR has to say:   Zebra mussels … [Read more...]

  The Louisa County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Officers have confirmed a bear in the Bumpass area. It has reportedly killed 3 pigs and now a sheep and seems to be roaming between Louisa Farms Rd and Little River Farms Rd. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has been made aware.  Please refer to their web page for what to use as bear deterrents to protect your livestock and … [Read more...]

  We have elk in Virginia, you know. The Game Department introduced them several years ago in the far west reaches of our state and the herd is prospering.  Below is an update from Jackie Rosenberger and Jessica Ruthenberg/DWR.   As we head into November, the elk breeding season (also known as the “rut”) is coming to a close. At this point, most females, referred to as cows, … [Read more...]

    (This is the second in a series on Invasive Species in Virginia)   By Ron Messina/DWR   It’s a typical summer afternoon on the Upper Chickahominy River. There’s a scattering of small fishing boats, and tons of wildlife everywhere you look—frogs, geese, turtles, and ducks. A bald eagle soars away, over the tall pine trees. Massive cypresses, anchored in … [Read more...]

  It’s time. They’re out there, you know. Leaves. Thousands of leaves! But this year, leave the rake in the shed and crank up the mower. Your lawn will thank you for it come spring. Matted leaves aren’t good for grass. They will smother and kill it, but finely mulched leaves add vital nutrients to the soil, and help the lawn retain moisture, so the grass doesn’t become overly dry in … [Read more...]

  They live in clusters atop the dunes and stretch westward towards the sun. They dance in rhythm to the music of the breezes throughout the day and night. They are sea oats, creatures of the beach. They build the dunes and guard the shores. The stately grasses are tough. They can sink their roots in fragile sand and survive the big blows out of the northeast and the driving gales of … [Read more...]

  Nancy loves impatiens as a beautiful, border flower. She has grown them from seeds and bought them in containers. She has dug and re-dug them as the squirrels chipped away, she has cast thousands of gallons of water on them to keep them alive. She has seen deer sneak in and eat them to the ground. She is through with them. We now, and will always in the future, a much more … [Read more...]

  Ever been fussed at by a catbird? You’ll know if it happens. Since my catbirds arrived, I have been treating them with Peanut Suet Log – a product that I discovered last year and one that catbirds find irresistible. The logs last 2 to 3 days before they’re totally pecked away. The other afternoon after work, I walked outside to the patio to enjoy an adult beverage and I heard this … [Read more...]

This is a make-or-break time for baby deer. A good majority of whitetail fawns in Virginia are born the first week of June. Some will come a few weeks later from does who were bred later in December, during the second rut, but right now there are lots of baby deer in our fields trying to survive. For the first week of their lives, fawns are practically defenseless. Their wobbly legs couldn’t … [Read more...]

  I used to see a lady at Kroger’s from time to time that brought in her own grocery bags, but I haven’t seen her in a while. I’ve come to the conclusion that I may be the only shopper in town to bring my own reusable shopping bags – totes, really. My understanding is that stores are either going to begin taxing the use of those god-awful plastic grocery bags or do away with them … [Read more...]