Routine maintenance?

This is the field south of Busy Solitude Farm.  There is an agricultural drain (formerly a creek) that runs through it, draining the field to make it tillable.  The shores of the drain grow huge trees and brush that serve as habitat for birds and animals, shading the water in the creek to keep it cool and discourage plants and algae from growing in the drain.

Until a couple of days ago when the bulldozers came.  Water management is a huge issue in this area.  Why?  Because pre-settlement most of this area was wetlands.  Natural cranberry bogs.  Not someplace you would want to start a farm. 

But farmers came and by establishing a wide-reaching network of drains, they were able to reduce the moisture in the fields to the point that the ever-present corn and beans now blanket the fields.  Still, though, these are the last fields to be planted every spring because they hold the water so long.

I don't entirely understand why they clear-cut the green growth along the drains.  All I know is that they believe that they will improve drainage by clearing them out.  Maybe they're going to dredge the creek once they clear the shrubby growth?

What I do know is that this morning I watched a Great Blue Heron flying low over the creek, circling around to get a better look.  The heron fishes in this creek.  But now its protective cover is gone from this section.  I expect it will move further down for the summer.  It made me sad.

I took this photo of the rainbow over the field a few days ago.  This is what that tree line looks like now.

Early June

 

Ulani and I walk past this cornfield nearly every morning, but yesterday the light was absolutely perfect to catch this dramatic photo.

I love when the corn has just emerged, seeing the patterns on the field, imagining an old fashioned tractor, or even a draft horse and plow, moving along these paths.

Around here the water table is very high.  Farmers plant these fields very late.  The field immediately next to Busy Solitude Farm still has not been planted, which probably means it will be beans this year, after a couple of years of corn.  Each crop has its interest for me -- corn encircles my property and gives me a sense of secrecy by the end of the season, the September yellow of the beans brightens the world.

In my own garden, the big excitement is this.

I planted an entire 4x8" raised bed to everbearing strawberries last year.  The plants are huge now, and the green berries transitioning to a luscious bright red.  Today might be the day for the first taste!

But speaking of a taste, someone's been sampling the Swiss chard!  I hope it doesn't turn into a summer of battling nature.  I just want some good produce!

Just peeking in...

Just checking in.  Hope to get back to more regular posting soon -- the garden is growing and summer stories are taking shape.

Ulani barks

Ulani and I were just sitting out this evening.  There was a light drizzle falling, all was peace except the birds.  My skills identifying birds by sight are improving a bit, but outside of the cardinal's sharp cheep-cheep-cheep, or the red-winged blackbird's equally sharp shriek, most of it is just gibberish to me.

Until I hear the whinny of the Eastern screech owl.  I'll always remember that sound after last spring's encounter!  And it's been back for the past week or two, maybe more. 

More than that, a few nights ago I think there was an owl flying lesson right outside my bedroom window!  It was nearly full dark, but there were definitely some birds larger than sparrows or blackbirds swooping up and down right by the big willow tree.  The next morning I moved my spy camera right out there.  Of course there's been no reappearance.

But back to me and Ulani sitting out.  She likes to bark at...something.  I'm not sure what it is, but it would seem that she hears something and barks in response to it.  Kind of breaks up my peace so I try to discourage her.  Tonight I found what looked to me like a good bone that maybe she'd forgotten about for a week or two.  I tossed it over and for a while she was happily gnawing away on the bone.  I just sit, camera in lap, waiting for something interesting.

Luckily I felt she might be about to be interesting.  Because when she threw her head back to bark, I was ready.  I love this picture.  It's exactly Ulani.

Around the place today

Inside I am enjoying a huge amaryllis' blooming.  Just look at the four blossoms on the stalk, and the extravagant reproductive parts!

This is the second of my five amaryllises to bloom in the past month.  The others don't show any sign of flower stalks.  I like to put the bulbs outside for the summer, then when I remember (which I did not this past fall) I put them in a dark place for about six weeks in the fall.  That will cue them all to send up stalks.

Outdoors...

Outdoors in the front garden, spring flowers continue to beautify my space.  I absolutely adore bleeding hearts.  Look how the flowers on the top raceme, with the "legs" closed, then the one below has the legs spread to encourage insects.  Just fascinating!

 The hellebores fascinate me, too.  Look at all the different colors.

 This one appears to be forming seeds!

Another, backlit.

And the lilacs are almost ready to burst!

Many birds enjoy the birdfeeders and birdbath this time of year.  I just sit at my dining room table, sliding door open, and take photo after photo after photo!

I think this is a white crowned sparrow.  They shouldn't be around here now -- they're supposed to migrate farther north!

And this year I have about ten goldfinches swooping in and out.  Sometimes it's almost like lightening bugs, they are so flashy!

We're deep into spring, and it feels fantastic!