In the Garden of Eden, I am confident there were no squirrels, deer, rabbits or groundhogs – otherwise Adam and Eve wouldn’t have had a garden to tend – only stubble. Or maybe the Lord arranged for a large cage surrounding the garden – like I have now. I am pleased to say that every pea I planted has sprouted and is still in place. Every stalk of lettuce, every squash leaf, every baby … [Read more...]
Welcome, Baby Bluebirds
We now have four baby bluebirds flitting from treetop to treetop as their busy parents move them around. I didn’t know until two weeks ago that the hen was even on the nest. Last year, bluebirds were on their nest before the first of April. This year I saw the male going in and out of the box, but the female would show up only periodically. I wasn’t sure if she was ready to … [Read more...]
Banana Cinnamon Muffins
So what do you do with those bananas that didn’t get eaten when they were yellow? Those black and brown ones with the fruit flies circling? Personally, I eat them all. They just look a little gross on the outside, but they’re good. My wife Nancy won’t even eat one that gets the first black stripe. But I found one way to make great use of these over-ripe beauties – Banana Cinnamon Muffins. I … [Read more...]
White-Crowned Sparrows
We had yet another visitor to our yard last week – a White-crowned Sparrow. It was a rare treat. We have two year-round sparrow residents in our yard – the House Sparrow and the Song Sparrow. Occasionally, we’ll see a Chipping Sparrow and there are some White-throated Sparrows around, but you don’t see many of the White-crowned Sparrows in Virginia, or at least I haven’t. Nancy … [Read more...]
Grey Trout Make A Showing
The water temp along the Virginia Beach ocean front is up to 62 degrees and things are starting to happen. Grey trout made a showing at Rudee Inlet this week. They should soon be biting along the CBBT. Big black drum are now in the shallows of the Eastern Shore. Red drum are there as well. Fisherman’s Island is a hotspot. The rockfish season kicks off on May 16, running until June 15. In … [Read more...]
The Magnificent Iris
I grew up in what could be acknowledged as the Iris Capital of the World. Greenbrier County in West Virginia. Every May, the West Virginia Hills would spring to life with Iris blooms - along roads, bordering driveways, in massive beds and overwhelming the landscape with their beauty. The climate is perfect in this, one of the most beautiful counties in America. Add cool evenings, with … [Read more...]
Draw a Crowd (Of Birds)
I know we’re supposed to “social distance” and all that mask stuff, but when it comes to birds, I want to draw a crowd. The more the merrier, bring ‘em on. The best way, I have found to attract lots of birds is to – first – provide fresh water – and second, provide multiple food sources. If you put up a feeder with sunflower and basic seeds, you’ll certainly attract birds, but a limited … [Read more...]
Things You Can Count On – Like Nancy B’s
By Nancy B I have found when I have bad hair days for a month and my appointment is tomorrow, I can count on my hair suddenly looking great just in time for the appointment. I have also found when I plant bulbs or new tender plants and squirrels are around, I can count on the varmints digging them up. In addition I have found when there is a family portrait planned, I can count on one of the … [Read more...]
Red-breasted Grosbeaks
As I went out to the back yard one morning this week, I caught sight of the tail ends of two black and white birds flying away. I thought at first they were a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, but the stark separation between the black and white made me wonder. When I returned to the house, I saw my visitors at the feeder. They were Red-breasted Grossbeaks and they were stunning. I have had a few … [Read more...]
My First Crop
I harvested my first crop from my new La Cage Mahal – the 50 x 10 foot, completely enclosed, wire cage I have installed to keep squirrels, rabbits, deer and groundhogs at bay. It was a picking of onions, from last year, actually. I had pulled about half on my spring onions last spring. but let the others go. They sprouted and grew, then shriveled away in summer’s heat. And … [Read more...]
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