tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91188044562937687232024-03-05T13:28:42.476-06:00From The Jardin EncantadoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-87002239551265665142018-09-02T18:55:00.000-05:002018-09-02T20:04:57.425-05:00And, The Migration Begins!!<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Are you beginning to see a
plethora of hummingbirds at your feeders now? What’s the deal? Below is a video, from Texas Certified Master Gardener Ann Fair-Irby, of the hoard of hummers at one of her feeders.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz7fE8oLONYmyhta5nr_VykqVuzlOvuLGULR8OfIlureXmPb5T-k1Vq1rnXX7N5qXaWYZDe_hEyoKkFyTYftQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
This is one of Texas’ most amazing avian spectacles. What you are seeing
is the start of the hummingbird migration. Beginning around the first week
of September, multitudes of hummers show up along the Texas Gulf Coast
from points north and east. This historic staging area becomes the stopping
place for the nation’s largest concentration of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as
they prepare for their southern migratory passage. These little birds fly to
the Rockport/Fulton area of Texas to fatten up on nectar and protein before
departing for the tropics, flying over or around the Gulf of Mexico to points
south, mainly central and southern Mexico. For several weeks, thousands
congregate in the area and partake of a feeding frenzy on Turk’s Cap, Salvia
and other nectar-producing plants.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-56A57MnjUUI2u5zpYRhMTxL72KcbyV2YKwF_gYwTbbr_d8Zad4rtoHuMGsGZTgZOYYljHptBtSmj5Mc3e05LoVLWaHfXRywUsiRvyh3QcGynkl9Twk_KYA5aDcTeyXlArVpmsmPzjn8/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1249" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-56A57MnjUUI2u5zpYRhMTxL72KcbyV2YKwF_gYwTbbr_d8Zad4rtoHuMGsGZTgZOYYljHptBtSmj5Mc3e05LoVLWaHfXRywUsiRvyh3QcGynkl9Twk_KYA5aDcTeyXlArVpmsmPzjn8/s200/DSC_0181.JPG" width="155" /></a>Migration is triggered by light
and day length. This fact begs the question of how hummingbirds born in
northern climes this summer know the way to the Gulf. This is a trip of 500-600
miles over open water. Hummingbirds do not travel in flocks but fly alone.
Anyone care to guess?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
For a hummer that just hatched,
there's no memory of past migrations, only an urge to put on a lot of weight and fly in a particular direction for a certain amount of time, then look for a
good place to spend the winter. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The initial urge is triggered by the shortening length of
sunlight as autumn approaches, and has nothing to do with temperature or the
availability of food; in fact, hummingbirds migrate south at the time of
greatest food abundance. When the bird is fat enough, it migrates. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-56A57MnjUUI2u5zpYRhMTxL72KcbyV2YKwF_gYwTbbr_d8Zad4rtoHuMGsGZTgZOYYljHptBtSmj5Mc3e05LoVLWaHfXRywUsiRvyh3QcGynkl9Twk_KYA5aDcTeyXlArVpmsmPzjn8/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcKC8UCdzeMQz9zm7LT_33nCkG9ASnaFp9DeZ9Dvjh3a7VNK8zRqjoWGq_vHPVwLI0xiZYIo7DqlO4QYwu-dFO_k9LDiEO_akRPeFCMN6WYxmPavC2nWfImvLr_h_9hxBYVPG-cqbh4U/s1600/DSC_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1600" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcKC8UCdzeMQz9zm7LT_33nCkG9ASnaFp9DeZ9Dvjh3a7VNK8zRqjoWGq_vHPVwLI0xiZYIo7DqlO4QYwu-dFO_k9LDiEO_akRPeFCMN6WYxmPavC2nWfImvLr_h_9hxBYVPG-cqbh4U/s200/DSC_0205.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Once it learns such a route, a bird may retrace
it every year as long as it lives. Banding studies suggest that individual
birds may follow a set route year after year, often arriving at the same feeder
on the same day. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Here are some other interesting
facts about these flying jewels:</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rVZDtN9tcMxdUaZjQbvmFSmx5NgncwRa0yK3ZVqf1QIFis3F-TMCV9AX9NM-jat97ctqKb6LNBCbxUBEDrxcyTDktMQ6VP1xrmQwsgAVqH83NAlR126hHR-96ictJt-i3DpswbzVqzM/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rVZDtN9tcMxdUaZjQbvmFSmx5NgncwRa0yK3ZVqf1QIFis3F-TMCV9AX9NM-jat97ctqKb6LNBCbxUBEDrxcyTDktMQ6VP1xrmQwsgAVqH83NAlR126hHR-96ictJt-i3DpswbzVqzM/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rVZDtN9tcMxdUaZjQbvmFSmx5NgncwRa0yK3ZVqf1QIFis3F-TMCV9AX9NM-jat97ctqKb6LNBCbxUBEDrxcyTDktMQ6VP1xrmQwsgAVqH83NAlR126hHR-96ictJt-i3DpswbzVqzM/s200/DSC_0061.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR-HxLPTZiDim9mLQrtOa641I8mQMY7iDFrpiTppwhHWC0nmEi3KyzMXe3yeM0VTpSOc1VBTQqUctGgYutw8uS3xUnfI0h0Kcu_pen9mTuKdGSoVJp-57Tiu9GJ6Y2KBuaNyFX9qHi5g/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1600" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR-HxLPTZiDim9mLQrtOa641I8mQMY7iDFrpiTppwhHWC0nmEi3KyzMXe3yeM0VTpSOc1VBTQqUctGgYutw8uS3xUnfI0h0Kcu_pen9mTuKdGSoVJp-57Tiu9GJ6Y2KBuaNyFX9qHi5g/s200/DSC_0090.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<li><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
A hummingbird’s tongue has grooves on the sides to help it catch insects.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR-HxLPTZiDim9mLQrtOa641I8mQMY7iDFrpiTppwhHWC0nmEi3KyzMXe3yeM0VTpSOc1VBTQqUctGgYutw8uS3xUnfI0h0Kcu_pen9mTuKdGSoVJp-57Tiu9GJ6Y2KBuaNyFX9qHi5g/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>A hummingbird must drink almost twice its weight in nectar every day to survive.</div>
</li>
<li>They have 40 to 60 taste buds. Humans possess about 10,000.</li>
<li>Hummers can’t fly until their body temperature reaches 86 degrees.</li>
<li>The average hummingbird nest is about 2 inches in diameter.</li>
<li>It would take 150 average sized male hummingbirds to equal 1 pound.</li>
<li>Hummingbirds have about 1,500 feathers. I wonder who counted them?</li>
<li>Even at rest, a hummingbird’s heart rate is eight times faster than that of a human.</li>
<li>The oldest hummingbird recorded was 14 years old.</li>
<li>Hummingbirds were named for the sound their wings make while they fly.</li>
<li>Hummingbirds show they are “on guard” by ruffling their crown feathers.</li>
<li>Hummingbirds’ wings move in a figure-eight pattern. This allows the birds to hover and fly in all directions – even upside down!</li>
<li>They have weak feed and legs. They use them only for perching and preening.</li>
<li>Their eggs are about the size of a jelly bean.</li>
<li>Male hummers do not help raise their young. Figures. . . </li>
<li>They beat their wings about 50 times a second, so they appear as a blur.</li>
<li>While at rest, a hummer takes 250 breaths per minute.</li>
<li>The Cuban bee hummingbird is the smallest warm-blooded animal in the world. The male weighs less than a dime.</li>
<li>About 25% of their weight is flight
muscles.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Garden on!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Ann Reynolds</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Texas Certified Master Gardener</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-25537231068751362782018-07-26T15:44:00.002-05:002018-07-26T15:44:32.444-05:00Mosquitoes Got You Itching?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Sheesh! See a mosquito, smack a
mosquito. Not even the 100+ degree temperatures are deterring these pesky insects
from biting. Since, I’m not a big fan of spraying poison on my skin (hey,
makeup doesn’t count), I have been reading up on alternatives. I thought I
would checkout the claims that some plants keep mosquitoes away. What a great
idea!! Sadly, I found that there is no science to back up that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">certain plants on their own</b> keep
skeeters at bay.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The science is that the botanical
compounds in plants do repel those little blood suckers but these oils must be
extracted from the plants. Some of these plants include Lemongrass, American Beautyberry,
Mexican Mint Marigold, Lemon Verbena, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Lantana, Lavender,
Mint, Basil, Lemon Thyme, Mosquito plant (citronella-scented Geranium) and Lemon
Balm to name a few. This makes sense because I remember my grandfather putting American
Beautyberry leaves under his plow horse’s harnesses. He claimed it kept the
flies away.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Extracting the oil from these
plants can be as simple as crushing the leaves and strewing them or burning the
plant parts (much like incense) near your patio area. The added bonus is the
wonderful aroma of the herbs. You can try crushing the leaves of these plants
and spread them on your skin, but please do a patch test first. I have
fashioned a big terra cotta pot of many of the above plants and when I garden,
I give each one of them a slight “squeeze” to release the oils. It seems to be
working.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Just like butterflies and moths,
mosquitoes are nectar feeders and pollinate plants. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4LhunNkqXr7oXgKVAksxKbVkKv5M-prA0JOtt4-eEI3WFPNIvINDkv4uzVCPGMCkjCOvbuTzSvNVR8qTkXnPBDXq6sj7S0R9vX8g3k-5804rUoe_yPNfN_4TcwwCvwG3EXJ9pIKpd-I/s1600/mos1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="450" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4LhunNkqXr7oXgKVAksxKbVkKv5M-prA0JOtt4-eEI3WFPNIvINDkv4uzVCPGMCkjCOvbuTzSvNVR8qTkXnPBDXq6sj7S0R9vX8g3k-5804rUoe_yPNfN_4TcwwCvwG3EXJ9pIKpd-I/s200/mos1.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNOrreITIwRYbBDx6Ai7Vi-CzImDDNEsof0chgioHS-uNZp1L7hY6njLgKK1L0EaPD7EU3wlLF5qEEaaxJi2yX-961DNdWlrKjVje3ngbwriEOW1MOaqiwedcJvg86tKm7amBykYaYcs/s1600/womens-heirloom-gardening-overalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Only the female feeds on
blood to get iron and protein when she is ready to reproduce. Mosquitoes can go
from eggs to adults in as little as five days. Yikes!<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Females find their blood
meals by following trails of carbon dioxide, body heat, and water vapor that vertebrates
exude. So, don’t breathe, get hot or sweat when working in the garden. Tee,
hee. They are not attracted to light, so all-purpose bug zappers don’t work (although
they kill thousands of beneficial, pollinating insects).</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
As gardeners we know to be
vigilant in emptying containers of standing water. If after dumping standing water
and introducing natural predators you still have mosquitoes, you can use a
product called Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Bt-i).<span style="margin: 0px;">
Bt-i </span>is a natural occurring, soil-borne bacteria that has been used
since the 1950s for natural insect control. Bt-i kills 95-100% of
mosquito larvae within 24 hours but is not harmful to birds, mammals, or
amphibians. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Holly Ross of Hollyberry
Herb Farm in Canton, Texas suggests using the powder form of Bt-i in water to
spray on gardens and lawn. Be sure to coat the underside of leaves where eggs
occur. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
We know mosquitoes pass on
disease to humans and domestic animals. But, mosquitoes are more of a nuisance
than a health threat in this part of the world. Millions of people are bitten
by mosquitoes but only a few get sick. This is not to minimalize those that
suffer from one of the mosquito-borne deadly diseases. But, overuse of
pesticides leads to poisoning, pollution and the death of beneficial wildlife.
I guess it is a catch 22. The key to minimizing the annoyance of bites and the
risk of disease is prevention. Avoid going outside at dawn and dusk when
mosquitoes are active (easier said than done for a gardener) and cover exposed
skin by wearing long pants and sleeves.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGggHbL-hLBC6fXenYPw4TtYZGiST0MNGEUlGlLknKm-f-yySxtjYw8zukS4OhozT6odwow7U6fCw975unc5wnuinS9uZnvtZIGhJqNEt1NgrE8yTq-6YnjE0kmAi2Fda078xYEfVa2c/s1600/e14a0b480d3a6314852c9244f59407d7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="564" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGggHbL-hLBC6fXenYPw4TtYZGiST0MNGEUlGlLknKm-f-yySxtjYw8zukS4OhozT6odwow7U6fCw975unc5wnuinS9uZnvtZIGhJqNEt1NgrE8yTq-6YnjE0kmAi2Fda078xYEfVa2c/s320/e14a0b480d3a6314852c9244f59407d7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting gardening attire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNOrreITIwRYbBDx6Ai7Vi-CzImDDNEsof0chgioHS-uNZp1L7hY6njLgKK1L0EaPD7EU3wlLF5qEEaaxJi2yX-961DNdWlrKjVje3ngbwriEOW1MOaqiwedcJvg86tKm7amBykYaYcs/s1600/womens-heirloom-gardening-overalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNOrreITIwRYbBDx6Ai7Vi-CzImDDNEsof0chgioHS-uNZp1L7hY6njLgKK1L0EaPD7EU3wlLF5qEEaaxJi2yX-961DNdWlrKjVje3ngbwriEOW1MOaqiwedcJvg86tKm7amBykYaYcs/s200/womens-heirloom-gardening-overalls.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better choice in gardening attire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcMHtf0eIIWTdRarWl3hsQo0STxyKRuEdxrrxwE_MFdCR9xE8ZVrSdNlz8VrUogoyYlbu3efWLa_bYwjosITOOp7fDdVfpBXmHFnryviEprC9p_kZOiQVTVKI0BfjGsK8izWQOfiznr0/s1600/28C1F66F00000578-3084698-image-m-7_1431807673488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="634" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcMHtf0eIIWTdRarWl3hsQo0STxyKRuEdxrrxwE_MFdCR9xE8ZVrSdNlz8VrUogoyYlbu3efWLa_bYwjosITOOp7fDdVfpBXmHFnryviEprC9p_kZOiQVTVKI0BfjGsK8izWQOfiznr0/s200/28C1F66F00000578-3084698-image-m-7_1431807673488.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Not good gardening attire</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If worse comes to worse, use a
fan. Mosquitoes are not strong flyers so a fan is often all you need to keep
these biters away while you enjoy an evening in your garden or on your patio.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYZ5tECEjW5Is2uOQIhuBXoHS_K876MZ75CcPRfJNpokDo_jOug_DEhu_LVjg7HZ5R3qyGNISY_BCC9lgCeriPi8NXRRLyQ2n9tKOwL9awge20mMYB2c3m7NmBWODYGiTjNaUYBeYPuI/s1600/slider-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1420" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYZ5tECEjW5Is2uOQIhuBXoHS_K876MZ75CcPRfJNpokDo_jOug_DEhu_LVjg7HZ5R3qyGNISY_BCC9lgCeriPi8NXRRLyQ2n9tKOwL9awge20mMYB2c3m7NmBWODYGiTjNaUYBeYPuI/s320/slider-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Garden on! </div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: none; border-image: none; border: 0px;" /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-11056095922692017562018-07-09T15:39:00.002-05:002018-07-09T15:39:19.961-05:00A Study in Yellow<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yTUNyNMqySeftFrvv-3X-f_iB7UEzX2kktIjya4OGakIRA0aOS4qKKaqqKltnU98UkIKWOxjNAH0Q_uB3ItAYFI4XYkwYT3EEF4QQ_Rp1AmXdPEE708iXqzqpWFBXcMxKzXMrZVWb-I/s1600/A+Study+in+Yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yTUNyNMqySeftFrvv-3X-f_iB7UEzX2kktIjya4OGakIRA0aOS4qKKaqqKltnU98UkIKWOxjNAH0Q_uB3ItAYFI4XYkwYT3EEF4QQ_Rp1AmXdPEE708iXqzqpWFBXcMxKzXMrZVWb-I/s400/A+Study+in+Yellow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A July evening in the Enchanted Garden</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-36718630035202526402018-07-01T13:47:00.001-05:002018-07-01T13:47:36.045-05:00Summer Sunday in the Enchanted Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlgY8fS99RX7ZWJ7ZJSIwJ1Dr2dReDfG_y_0aSbaGC59KXq5FNzOK_bjcGDkdfLGxZTtEamNNEQJwqxnM_V4uapQO633OnU6RuojjHBdLdPa_m6ojzNw-ye32XS3eK_nKGICmYVzFdls/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlgY8fS99RX7ZWJ7ZJSIwJ1Dr2dReDfG_y_0aSbaGC59KXq5FNzOK_bjcGDkdfLGxZTtEamNNEQJwqxnM_V4uapQO633OnU6RuojjHBdLdPa_m6ojzNw-ye32XS3eK_nKGICmYVzFdls/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEfX1suzBxY-YC-qOEpPU-sbMoSkYtw3jVLhcbaHYGtDOqP6tQV2I2Y8HXMlpmgWKu0WgfjIRkskUulPSs4TgmyCeWwKUzG8wAMTyd-SBhqPhOjAoKsuHXdEY84PWV98rdDlMWv62Ck0/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEfX1suzBxY-YC-qOEpPU-sbMoSkYtw3jVLhcbaHYGtDOqP6tQV2I2Y8HXMlpmgWKu0WgfjIRkskUulPSs4TgmyCeWwKUzG8wAMTyd-SBhqPhOjAoKsuHXdEY84PWV98rdDlMWv62Ck0/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrDZBMi-bxinAWMAQ4NRwO3yQfqWb6of-dmlVqHe7tdWZLgfCmHepVm_60EknN2rGaga7wTs1FoZfskiHxMpmadjXLpzp-4JozVObCqJPNbKjAAJsLnn5qlzU8gVilp8iRMM1Zes-CPM/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrDZBMi-bxinAWMAQ4NRwO3yQfqWb6of-dmlVqHe7tdWZLgfCmHepVm_60EknN2rGaga7wTs1FoZfskiHxMpmadjXLpzp-4JozVObCqJPNbKjAAJsLnn5qlzU8gVilp8iRMM1Zes-CPM/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8cCTmWx6veyXGaICp1jBJ2iSdfqrV-GS8spxa_SlOffalUo10Kn6JpeQP04NKPu-1_yq-Bxxvb2wRUNQB8CbaxdUeEy76ZeIDBHUf_5IwiRT1NcatP1wOatiDeoMpvb82SfKXOwKPRY/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8cCTmWx6veyXGaICp1jBJ2iSdfqrV-GS8spxa_SlOffalUo10Kn6JpeQP04NKPu-1_yq-Bxxvb2wRUNQB8CbaxdUeEy76ZeIDBHUf_5IwiRT1NcatP1wOatiDeoMpvb82SfKXOwKPRY/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1p8HTV04tvU6C1hfh3Tnz7W_d9eeerzHLspImejhPQ7PG3BTBNlm1mOhD_FfFGya_Es6Fc_UmeGxqpZLf4oNnU2K5Ye2QNZBRLpB3uVx9kJh-EOj-nQv7usXAT3Xj1HjugYOr2TrGJ0/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1p8HTV04tvU6C1hfh3Tnz7W_d9eeerzHLspImejhPQ7PG3BTBNlm1mOhD_FfFGya_Es6Fc_UmeGxqpZLf4oNnU2K5Ye2QNZBRLpB3uVx9kJh-EOj-nQv7usXAT3Xj1HjugYOr2TrGJ0/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78oMZURdNElzouX_IQcUA5GToEsuckFfHejmU574yNa9zLwXLjs28eq4eHgoxVGZev9UZoXa3yMG7u2wWoT0mwUj6Pw3Aq1e0JoIUZSLroocXAqajW3iuIkXE0V8r_gYwd5QD7iUM6GQ/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78oMZURdNElzouX_IQcUA5GToEsuckFfHejmU574yNa9zLwXLjs28eq4eHgoxVGZev9UZoXa3yMG7u2wWoT0mwUj6Pw3Aq1e0JoIUZSLroocXAqajW3iuIkXE0V8r_gYwd5QD7iUM6GQ/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KEOBGtzdz2upR61R4cCEfARt-Sr41MnDuP_OCEU0DddgJ2nAzaM0abFwVrrFU6IP61nwpobs9GxAJPq-p7qSZFypN1TGimLwbpu-h31WaBtAPuqIIwhNwqDqg3gzCihfi7_Q-Xd8UzQ/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KEOBGtzdz2upR61R4cCEfARt-Sr41MnDuP_OCEU0DddgJ2nAzaM0abFwVrrFU6IP61nwpobs9GxAJPq-p7qSZFypN1TGimLwbpu-h31WaBtAPuqIIwhNwqDqg3gzCihfi7_Q-Xd8UzQ/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMjYvVKG56mJX6d5hCkhAyCRg8PzRa7rjeQG6YPusZ378VR2PbH7tr-DrlLwGOaMhtBiz7lM1_yZrWLUtTCpt1axBozRENG0gxaCo5V2e9vyDqVIZ5TVCz8DNe1wEMi2pA5trhWzK2_o/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMjYvVKG56mJX6d5hCkhAyCRg8PzRa7rjeQG6YPusZ378VR2PbH7tr-DrlLwGOaMhtBiz7lM1_yZrWLUtTCpt1axBozRENG0gxaCo5V2e9vyDqVIZ5TVCz8DNe1wEMi2pA5trhWzK2_o/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" width="315" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BLO-hK5CCNjO6N6VWhpYNdA6LedPGWkpo5WAZpVfRgNpSzF6XbXh01MMtSSb6uD4uYsW6AHSoDZDTa3LDqtUGDmAg5on1v6V1QIwKRbf_J6BIJXRPhiFWkgwaHKIP4dqKqZpNrFpYa8/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BLO-hK5CCNjO6N6VWhpYNdA6LedPGWkpo5WAZpVfRgNpSzF6XbXh01MMtSSb6uD4uYsW6AHSoDZDTa3LDqtUGDmAg5on1v6V1QIwKRbf_J6BIJXRPhiFWkgwaHKIP4dqKqZpNrFpYa8/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P5-O4OFFzZsC-KRFqSqJZd9Jb-iduDArVhoAaXgdfFEq_qty_zD1x4c4kSZzJiLtw5WkyfVk1isk88UpsVwgrtsLIqO-AkcQ-ZSRPpCxWmWzbWOBM7yl31TULl3LriL3rWsZoMkp1pk/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P5-O4OFFzZsC-KRFqSqJZd9Jb-iduDArVhoAaXgdfFEq_qty_zD1x4c4kSZzJiLtw5WkyfVk1isk88UpsVwgrtsLIqO-AkcQ-ZSRPpCxWmWzbWOBM7yl31TULl3LriL3rWsZoMkp1pk/s320/DSC_0110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wReWLY3w6BxYfW3-uPZQOcNjV36ms5Bf8vgJz9H85MFoiJp2e6IAqz6GHud-HDxsZic87fYRHL3bgXYcQ5iz8txX6GpeJiMuygIup2cOqKsVNrQK4RJOXOOKtWd3gEOzRN6O_AoU5jM/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wReWLY3w6BxYfW3-uPZQOcNjV36ms5Bf8vgJz9H85MFoiJp2e6IAqz6GHud-HDxsZic87fYRHL3bgXYcQ5iz8txX6GpeJiMuygIup2cOqKsVNrQK4RJOXOOKtWd3gEOzRN6O_AoU5jM/s320/DSC_0116.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2VGRWBswemdqG2KhJpisQsdxVYxG1N1NjKoQYtyFaQjoZpGMu1JEkM-e3OsGee2HouX2EQkM7dyFqaFmQUyWCgMnPB8R8lNOqSMAgq8s6woF4vtdmjItgXbyggjfwCR9OS5t0RV_1kw/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2VGRWBswemdqG2KhJpisQsdxVYxG1N1NjKoQYtyFaQjoZpGMu1JEkM-e3OsGee2HouX2EQkM7dyFqaFmQUyWCgMnPB8R8lNOqSMAgq8s6woF4vtdmjItgXbyggjfwCR9OS5t0RV_1kw/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXCkxVJYCfYSxJSfiSxA1723xvYO1F-hp-dzGyOy1uPRXYNOKNPA1wlQWqzRFmAixyXU_Rok549g53X-2Aexze-teC_ItqSBoEjBvRJ4eAfDJjAzP8YixOuAnJXJtHfr4hLvnsHi3tZc/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1378" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXCkxVJYCfYSxJSfiSxA1723xvYO1F-hp-dzGyOy1uPRXYNOKNPA1wlQWqzRFmAixyXU_Rok549g53X-2Aexze-teC_ItqSBoEjBvRJ4eAfDJjAzP8YixOuAnJXJtHfr4hLvnsHi3tZc/s320/DSC_0124.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbBSwuv2-XmRBmloEF1jLiSWBBNhOYfbGUFc7vTuxMK-MYr9kEzUExBZSMmUBzJxQuuYSve-2GMTnbQxlkT8Q93R1SWrUwNJnETjhEzty7pf0B3Mru5G6_s9189GSkbRNEnAaB1M6LjU/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="1600" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbBSwuv2-XmRBmloEF1jLiSWBBNhOYfbGUFc7vTuxMK-MYr9kEzUExBZSMmUBzJxQuuYSve-2GMTnbQxlkT8Q93R1SWrUwNJnETjhEzty7pf0B3Mru5G6_s9189GSkbRNEnAaB1M6LjU/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw4yjL83jcv0vQNqIT8ymLddWe3gVGyYUEsG7YlV6hDrJJsznUE3oC89rOyGw4MU57oYaq4oxHrD_y9FkSq0id8QxFizoq4LQqVBQBlaKpaXh5y_6ei6lZu4Xidr7aef_tq0K9JYHPBQ/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw4yjL83jcv0vQNqIT8ymLddWe3gVGyYUEsG7YlV6hDrJJsznUE3oC89rOyGw4MU57oYaq4oxHrD_y9FkSq0id8QxFizoq4LQqVBQBlaKpaXh5y_6ei6lZu4Xidr7aef_tq0K9JYHPBQ/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoZuXKHud703WfayeyGB_A5rsBYcvCHPP9a911h9zIFOMOick7-tL56m02bIYtZ_XUKKGdE-CXUTYQUQJj8Yko1WY7O9xhc5rIXco4jN98grL-vmxrFUPgwPm7HxW30MxfGNhpkUawyQ/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoZuXKHud703WfayeyGB_A5rsBYcvCHPP9a911h9zIFOMOick7-tL56m02bIYtZ_XUKKGdE-CXUTYQUQJj8Yko1WY7O9xhc5rIXco4jN98grL-vmxrFUPgwPm7HxW30MxfGNhpkUawyQ/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4__hrc93yJ8xj-BIPXCMOzL7dKE9kqDP4c-7bz2qoQIaCtZNqX0zFQOehCbUOXK0OX0mnGbTnB_48ZXsC39DymZNUXrHvyO01F8Yp5SLM-a8GzOicuw811IV0iSIbYISujJHzMh6iTE0/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4__hrc93yJ8xj-BIPXCMOzL7dKE9kqDP4c-7bz2qoQIaCtZNqX0zFQOehCbUOXK0OX0mnGbTnB_48ZXsC39DymZNUXrHvyO01F8Yp5SLM-a8GzOicuw811IV0iSIbYISujJHzMh6iTE0/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTERXc7AbEZMzdWzLEOsvWt71DoOx0lSWakj5d76387dniXa_jUduJKk5gAxA8pmhyphenhyphenp5bT5108kcgPiiuP9jMsu7QTW3HnnDiUkzEBdJ6qoGTLabmUtEupek5WqK8C4Nlz1ucy4Mqcx_Y/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTERXc7AbEZMzdWzLEOsvWt71DoOx0lSWakj5d76387dniXa_jUduJKk5gAxA8pmhyphenhyphenp5bT5108kcgPiiuP9jMsu7QTW3HnnDiUkzEBdJ6qoGTLabmUtEupek5WqK8C4Nlz1ucy4Mqcx_Y/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVsaJd_h6Oy2gLT93GAmungMVQG8omeuadhoXAuWk8QYZ0rQlyA1JdzvDazzeY8TNeBzcNSoWVT47CFqAO4603aepGW26nzAITlfNnrEdCceqEWtbdUlbD1yFU_jIwZl3o0WXJUtvsMk/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVsaJd_h6Oy2gLT93GAmungMVQG8omeuadhoXAuWk8QYZ0rQlyA1JdzvDazzeY8TNeBzcNSoWVT47CFqAO4603aepGW26nzAITlfNnrEdCceqEWtbdUlbD1yFU_jIwZl3o0WXJUtvsMk/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6mbk1Xiy_rKxaOb08pnfv9dow9SlncH24vzjyb9xi7iLyVtvtxiomyZ3WAO_LkQMEeBjgSlPVH0HmKeG_ImixWt9R9p9LS5MyHaAfr6eplOZSRasC4LImMVxwQXrtyN5-DIUwj9WKQA/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6mbk1Xiy_rKxaOb08pnfv9dow9SlncH24vzjyb9xi7iLyVtvtxiomyZ3WAO_LkQMEeBjgSlPVH0HmKeG_ImixWt9R9p9LS5MyHaAfr6eplOZSRasC4LImMVxwQXrtyN5-DIUwj9WKQA/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" width="269" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRvnNy14HddTI64Vc55oeXADLXwAZ0M9cMTOR8SK2ZvPIcQRWl8BheeY98Tezu3acveEyhEWgwZBokK9bJgQYzYp-SFt8aoYpNp3s-q8zZDSeXd2oJGeEf6gp3R7591C0b9YzqsmANOQ/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRvnNy14HddTI64Vc55oeXADLXwAZ0M9cMTOR8SK2ZvPIcQRWl8BheeY98Tezu3acveEyhEWgwZBokK9bJgQYzYp-SFt8aoYpNp3s-q8zZDSeXd2oJGeEf6gp3R7591C0b9YzqsmANOQ/s320/DSC_0062.JPG" width="188" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6PuGnkIJcLonNC8U2bM2GuvoQ31evYfvhApycJ5Dwl8T5nR27gbIdsXsVBOu5P4j0fnvLIzhbKscu099N-GU3RrDB7o9Khy2ke-gMg1pwlIvVXRpz3GuKKJKkrPFmKyM9HLtfaTO6GI/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6PuGnkIJcLonNC8U2bM2GuvoQ31evYfvhApycJ5Dwl8T5nR27gbIdsXsVBOu5P4j0fnvLIzhbKscu099N-GU3RrDB7o9Khy2ke-gMg1pwlIvVXRpz3GuKKJKkrPFmKyM9HLtfaTO6GI/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Garden on!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><br /></a><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-63851989200411406862018-04-01T21:41:00.000-05:002019-04-12T16:04:21.211-05:00Ten Reasons You Should NOT Become a Gardener<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">You buy plants. .
.lots of plants. . .and put them in the ground only find that they don’t grow
or grow prolifically. You repeat this cycle until one day it dawns on you, that
you should do some research. This leads you to take classes and attend
seminars.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNmuj4LKf-6qfDir2tTFS8pdsP8h_LrzgEQNQ1ruYaN6XySHsuQorD1L_nzMSjI0kCFkxoWqMA6N-TFuIL4rCI8slNWSrJ0ZIjWdISPiSpYEmoZ9QP3M4lx5yRsCQwHPUXiX5DfU52as/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="200" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNmuj4LKf-6qfDir2tTFS8pdsP8h_LrzgEQNQ1ruYaN6XySHsuQorD1L_nzMSjI0kCFkxoWqMA6N-TFuIL4rCI8slNWSrJ0ZIjWdISPiSpYEmoZ9QP3M4lx5yRsCQwHPUXiX5DfU52as/s200/1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLarnLczjofqByH3H43kfDbJOE6v1UW-ofL4qE1RKZAEOR8Mrznh0b2dYB9wSUMXnbb8ns4ObqWO5ZhvAZFy0aUeV745Y4ttOPAzNDMUBb6zZGWrqUMUstWUYALDJVKI6izCuZ5htiHw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="150" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLarnLczjofqByH3H43kfDbJOE6v1UW-ofL4qE1RKZAEOR8Mrznh0b2dYB9wSUMXnbb8ns4ObqWO5ZhvAZFy0aUeV745Y4ttOPAzNDMUBb6zZGWrqUMUstWUYALDJVKI6izCuZ5htiHw/s200/2.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">2. You sign up for said
classes and learn about dirt soil, plant pests and diseases, soil PH, pruning,
rainwater harvesting, straw bale and keyhole gardening. This leads to attending
every seminar or class within a 90-mile radius of your garden. You are on a
first name basis with your local agriculture extension agent. You are accused
of stalking him.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM2BnEum5Y38j4siKPL_u4cXrIOCZmmBeOvxrw778uVBF17XzUFfn5J-yTewrNxFSJvg08Lq6qL3wyopCwFJMVPjxNizAu0eFMBxc4VTjQCk0MG9_u13WQPtf4kI0jMfgZZsJwho_-kg/s1600/gg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM2BnEum5Y38j4siKPL_u4cXrIOCZmmBeOvxrw778uVBF17XzUFfn5J-yTewrNxFSJvg08Lq6qL3wyopCwFJMVPjxNizAu0eFMBxc4VTjQCk0MG9_u13WQPtf4kI0jMfgZZsJwho_-kg/s200/gg.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">You learn about poop.
. .cow, chicken and rabbit manure, bat guano, worm castings and frass.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkvI8srSagZ224BE7uZvytAYRf6v_w8JnlXG6UnvcATeRDah3T_JV9GauQ95OJEdpiWKlGysV1fENSgw4VVDOrmolfhJwhzyK_68AN9ODr82nUc1u3y8vpQWUn-4cDLmxyG-RRQkoUvk/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkvI8srSagZ224BE7uZvytAYRf6v_w8JnlXG6UnvcATeRDah3T_JV9GauQ95OJEdpiWKlGysV1fENSgw4VVDOrmolfhJwhzyK_68AN9ODr82nUc1u3y8vpQWUn-4cDLmxyG-RRQkoUvk/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Every morning, you HAVE
to go to your garden to inspect your plants for growth, blooms, and pests. This
requires you to be out in the fresh air during good or bad weather. This also MAKES
you listen to the birds singing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Your spouse notices
your success or failure and decides he will garden too. . . without any knowledge
of above referenced plants, soil, pests and poop. Said spouse becomes a
know-it-all.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Your grandchildren
will want to “help” in the garden. This leads to dirty clothing, skinned knees
and an occasional sighting of a bee or bug which then leads to grandchildren
screeching at the top of their lungs. This screeching shatters the experience
of quiet, peaceful gardening.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OlZqss_1XLTG38S0zo-rDXmMACnjNvio5haXMBGL3f5zMyQkkW2pjYX3WNac3iI_aQ05AIngDrmCPQD6PlTUhZZrjw-NH-KNfAQjbrWSIwTP3FB9ar-KFkijZa4FumbhPj_GodbM8Zo/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OlZqss_1XLTG38S0zo-rDXmMACnjNvio5haXMBGL3f5zMyQkkW2pjYX3WNac3iI_aQ05AIngDrmCPQD6PlTUhZZrjw-NH-KNfAQjbrWSIwTP3FB9ar-KFkijZa4FumbhPj_GodbM8Zo/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">The grandchildren will
want to <s>pick</s> harvest the fruits of your labors. You will have to
supervise because their mom may find out they eat fruit or veggies straight
from the garden (without being washed of above referenced poop).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlYLrTkI5dp1-RGsbNvll6_lURVEe8UaukruG_KjwvC9xsKDVDr_rBmW3GKZxqkk1sOpa2BmIqaD1slB44Na9Bl0pQvllgiYQqhXDCtBwbqz6heH-gHgyxDA31Q4n7D2WM-ZrQYCy4CU/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="200" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlYLrTkI5dp1-RGsbNvll6_lURVEe8UaukruG_KjwvC9xsKDVDr_rBmW3GKZxqkk1sOpa2BmIqaD1slB44Na9Bl0pQvllgiYQqhXDCtBwbqz6heH-gHgyxDA31Q4n7D2WM-ZrQYCy4CU/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;">Your success with
vegetable gardening may lead to an abundance. This leads to making new friends
and talking nice with the neighbors in order to pressure them into taking these
unwanted vegetables. When friends and neighbors begin to run away from you when
you come toward them with a grocery sack, this leads to depression.</span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPHOBlhJFsQQadzoecIL0dDaCso6H0N-TCAnDEJ-Ipgw4sMy-UEIdUdv2t1rWXQkCa1yhyn-2dpAEY1jUfKtpZhA9xVc1Q1WUlwwnTwIT6YyCJBAA0xq-hIZ_Sp5pdcjoOFZBGceSniU/s1600/abundance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPHOBlhJFsQQadzoecIL0dDaCso6H0N-TCAnDEJ-Ipgw4sMy-UEIdUdv2t1rWXQkCa1yhyn-2dpAEY1jUfKtpZhA9xVc1Q1WUlwwnTwIT6YyCJBAA0xq-hIZ_Sp5pdcjoOFZBGceSniU/s200/abundance.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;">You still have an
abundance from your garden. This now requires you to learn a new skill such as
freezing, canning, and making herbal oils and vinegars. The neighbors and
friends think you have retreated back to the 60s and become a reborn hippie.</span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbeY2loo79KOo2QpCdk8DCy9AMw3LNYhBl3iAT05fJKWtRqU8ze-GywF3P2nVHFo04jOxinfQAW406B6kZhB4SSzT8NsCmdIq7T8k66I2IL_yHA2k-2mIDaELbvEo-CjjcomcoWrx2nQ/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="150" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbeY2loo79KOo2QpCdk8DCy9AMw3LNYhBl3iAT05fJKWtRqU8ze-GywF3P2nVHFo04jOxinfQAW406B6kZhB4SSzT8NsCmdIq7T8k66I2IL_yHA2k-2mIDaELbvEo-CjjcomcoWrx2nQ/s200/7.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">You acquire an entire
new wardrobe.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1-7gh4OMjF6WkciM50pXv3d_nKWnvEp8FV-WN7C2rVkJk0jXncdUVKprGPyrUkU6ZQbNAp7AcGlEd7PM0xI-VpXOgXu-lB8BGbCIa5bu_QAZLJMlRkcGH7WTeCOTpv6KLaX-U2MFb7o/s1600/IMG_3361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="952" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1-7gh4OMjF6WkciM50pXv3d_nKWnvEp8FV-WN7C2rVkJk0jXncdUVKprGPyrUkU6ZQbNAp7AcGlEd7PM0xI-VpXOgXu-lB8BGbCIa5bu_QAZLJMlRkcGH7WTeCOTpv6KLaX-U2MFb7o/s200/IMG_3361.jpg" width="118" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Yes, I know
I said 10 reasons NOT to grow a garden but I thought of one more!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">11.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;">Growing fresh fruits
and vegetables leads to the eating of more fresh fruits and vegetables. This leads
to a lower consumption of other delicious foods such as baked goods, desserts,
and bacon. Growing a garden leads to searching out others that “make their own”
such as farmers markets. You get excited and think you can make your own butter
and bread. You begin to think about acquiring chickens. This horrendous cycle
of do-it-yourself begins to repeat itself.</span><br />
<span style="color: #001000;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ7ZIqErG07ljW_PzjzgX8EeC9vpLSKsxjRM7hLbbvkPZxwrFXjfFUAKU7jfWYxBxQP3PS1UpjkK5C2ZHQoNGUejhRzXgeqa4iOT3Mv-f-oYgE3ILuOFwN3sikc6gF9wHOvdNQB2a2Wk/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ7ZIqErG07ljW_PzjzgX8EeC9vpLSKsxjRM7hLbbvkPZxwrFXjfFUAKU7jfWYxBxQP3PS1UpjkK5C2ZHQoNGUejhRzXgeqa4iOT3Mv-f-oYgE3ILuOFwN3sikc6gF9wHOvdNQB2a2Wk/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-58380075085832167562018-01-16T16:13:00.000-06:002018-01-16T16:13:26.464-06:00The Enchanted Garden is Back!!<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm back! Just a little hiatus from blogging. But, never fear The Enchanted Garden is here with bits of wisdom about gardening, nature and dumb stuff I do. Lets get right to it. Lets talk about feeding the birds.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In the winter, feeding the birds can be a
matter of life and death for them. Natural food supplies such as insects and
fruits are non-existent so setting out food for the birds provides the ticket
to their survival.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho8ngqFiS3mAezrJtRMV5uN_3jiXnYrn2A0feGFdvgLR90SG0hhqAxMY6NFnc5ZSk0mdrF2-JSVFGn_XUWoSztGx5atmP1erqwdlAR0K4L_-VDtIxaR4h9j2tUL4VgS8CUHR2b4wrTjc/s1600/DSC_0168_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho8ngqFiS3mAezrJtRMV5uN_3jiXnYrn2A0feGFdvgLR90SG0hhqAxMY6NFnc5ZSk0mdrF2-JSVFGn_XUWoSztGx5atmP1erqwdlAR0K4L_-VDtIxaR4h9j2tUL4VgS8CUHR2b4wrTjc/s200/DSC_0168_01.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho8ngqFiS3mAezrJtRMV5uN_3jiXnYrn2A0feGFdvgLR90SG0hhqAxMY6NFnc5ZSk0mdrF2-JSVFGn_XUWoSztGx5atmP1erqwdlAR0K4L_-VDtIxaR4h9j2tUL4VgS8CUHR2b4wrTjc/s1600/DSC_0168_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If
you have started feeding the birds, or if you are frustrated by a lack of
success in attracting winter birds to your feeders, the first thing you need to
do is determine whether you are feeding the right foods for the birds of the
area. If you are not giving the birds what they want, you might not have many
birds.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1kSxabo4bUR8sNV804szGYiGZSMdqF0YKsvNtJ5PWOGf7H3pLG6uhFhT4Riy_OBVuFrqzEfDyxEyNjwVrYuNf7x7L6XRKyCE8Xw5gHe8ysqBycapm_j-_6UbIby9m51wyAi-_5gOeSA/s1600/2015-01-30+22.15.53-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1kSxabo4bUR8sNV804szGYiGZSMdqF0YKsvNtJ5PWOGf7H3pLG6uhFhT4Riy_OBVuFrqzEfDyxEyNjwVrYuNf7x7L6XRKyCE8Xw5gHe8ysqBycapm_j-_6UbIby9m51wyAi-_5gOeSA/s200/2015-01-30+22.15.53-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are the top ten foods for winter bird
feeding:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Black-oiled
Sunflower Seeds</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Niger
Thistle</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Peanuts</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Suet</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Safflower</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Cracked
Corn</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Fruit</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Meal
Worms (dead or alive)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Good
Mixed Seed</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Homemade
treats</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5irdi7UNTNCPcqDZR9a0G_zaH71SJDGj3nj-SLJzD6Fyu_2HEFWB9WWvDhssGHhAq8pckN1ZD9X56VQ-02GJvIZdjLxmwxYjP4s5XLylHsPU_c101sM3_FJvOJ_g3yAaDMrrdtVvxzGI/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1519" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5irdi7UNTNCPcqDZR9a0G_zaH71SJDGj3nj-SLJzD6Fyu_2HEFWB9WWvDhssGHhAq8pckN1ZD9X56VQ-02GJvIZdjLxmwxYjP4s5XLylHsPU_c101sM3_FJvOJ_g3yAaDMrrdtVvxzGI/s200/DSC_0010.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3COCciWTJybaM7De3GPorYzsbUSZhJJkfaezT0QBj4Dylm772VeYxb7wUJS1Nodgfz_4JXguh7IhXw2xLF2T7rV-tkjRFnru4xtHpXHfNcCe1IA8x_MZlis-ZtD-ZgT3CCNKh51O9ik/s1600/cardinal+on+suet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3COCciWTJybaM7De3GPorYzsbUSZhJJkfaezT0QBj4Dylm772VeYxb7wUJS1Nodgfz_4JXguh7IhXw2xLF2T7rV-tkjRFnru4xtHpXHfNcCe1IA8x_MZlis-ZtD-ZgT3CCNKh51O9ik/s200/cardinal+on+suet1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is
there such a thing as BAD mixed seed? Heck ya! Bad mixed seed has lots of
filler in it—junk seeds that most birds won’t eat. Bad mixed seed can include
dyed seed meant for pet birds, wheat, and some forms of red milo. Good mixed
seed has a large amount of sunflower seed, cracked corn and perhaps some peanut
hearts or safflower. The really cheap bags of mixed seed sold at grocery stores
can contain the least useful seeds. If you want to try different types of seed,
may I suggest visiting Lost Creek in Mineola. Sandy Tibbs has a wide variety of
seed just for the birds in our area and she is very knowledgeable</span></span><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!</span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If
you are lazy like me, you can try one of my no fail methods. Smear peanut
butter on a tree trunk, and poke some peanut bits into it. Try feeding suet and
offer it all winter long. Suet attracts many insect-eating birds, such as <span style="margin: 0px;">woodpeckers</span>. But <span style="margin: 0px;">nuthatches</span>, juncos, chickadees, wrens,
cardinals, sparrows and jays will also stop at backyard feeders for a high-fat
treat. True suet, and especially the kind made with animal fat, provides a good
source of energy and builds fat reserves needed during the cold. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UhNTI7lGV43N7-chJV6nneYWR1DiOOYzAB7xdVS5QVGSn1ook9FUiJar_CEYZxNG9VGML4joemDazWmZob8oMASmqu5bppiCWYoex-pxMhggc69WhDK8R8wQsirlbpz_Uc-ZMk1nVN4/s1600/2017-08-16+18.29.22-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UhNTI7lGV43N7-chJV6nneYWR1DiOOYzAB7xdVS5QVGSn1ook9FUiJar_CEYZxNG9VGML4joemDazWmZob8oMASmqu5bppiCWYoex-pxMhggc69WhDK8R8wQsirlbpz_Uc-ZMk1nVN4/s200/2017-08-16+18.29.22-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be sure to fill your feeders daily,
preferable in the late afternoon to give the birds a boost before they roost at
night. A few days of empty feeders means the birds will quickly disappear.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQil_BnMHn9P2iyH4m7r-tNoMWdInjCe17DkK2-ZKrN_pjtpa7YvH3GZ0ZSZp-oCYQDB9RTgIdu9tfD37a0Efx339d4VRTYqFVr_akoxgTCd1lWE130yvJKirLLrigP1YEXG47N_rxZIk/s1600/2013-12-19+22.23.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQil_BnMHn9P2iyH4m7r-tNoMWdInjCe17DkK2-ZKrN_pjtpa7YvH3GZ0ZSZp-oCYQDB9RTgIdu9tfD37a0Efx339d4VRTYqFVr_akoxgTCd1lWE130yvJKirLLrigP1YEXG47N_rxZIk/s200/2013-12-19+22.23.01.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Place your feeders at varying heights and
locations especially near trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs provide protection
from predators.</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr_iZ5ku1VHEFTMIgjTQVYNw_r-M19NC2vyqvjQHrFOdKOZeAbG6yr1C_GwhrXe4xkt5AbdDmqZMPtR50FZh2D8VwLAPCo0eMZJQNuoihHOR5TBUx1m0eEYbiHrSH3eNg127zmo8K11c/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr_iZ5ku1VHEFTMIgjTQVYNw_r-M19NC2vyqvjQHrFOdKOZeAbG6yr1C_GwhrXe4xkt5AbdDmqZMPtR50FZh2D8VwLAPCo0eMZJQNuoihHOR5TBUx1m0eEYbiHrSH3eNg127zmo8K11c/s200/DSC_0133.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Provide a variety of foods.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTgRTUGqlf92rw_tG7zj0xipaK0tmayGn2KkaI756-WenFMMj5C1s0LxEzeIIV43C8HagMftWnp8hAq_gGJ6zjmXeJVexnuQV_kH027tOMkdcs-CcwDpj-6Ld81bPJGgT2fQdfpe7MOo/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTgRTUGqlf92rw_tG7zj0xipaK0tmayGn2KkaI756-WenFMMj5C1s0LxEzeIIV43C8HagMftWnp8hAq_gGJ6zjmXeJVexnuQV_kH027tOMkdcs-CcwDpj-6Ld81bPJGgT2fQdfpe7MOo/s200/DSC_0024.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be sure to keep your feeders clean.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, lets talk gardening. I am happy to
report that I am now taking Master Gardening classes. Hopefully the Enchanted
Garden blog will take on more of a garden flavor but will keep nature posts too!
We will see. Our first two classes are on soil. What? How long does it take to
learn about dirt????</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlKeosmk7YgeBchKC6wvVWnhzbr9ZPfTmpUhTgZ62iqiAwHwAU9HATjNxQlGO4DKWrW-s0ByOAfC8bheLXXdq3mIlCmXn_mmlp2gJrt_beR2oj4C2swX7oYNWIyRESe9v-9rS1c39FXI/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlKeosmk7YgeBchKC6wvVWnhzbr9ZPfTmpUhTgZ62iqiAwHwAU9HATjNxQlGO4DKWrW-s0ByOAfC8bheLXXdq3mIlCmXn_mmlp2gJrt_beR2oj4C2swX7oYNWIyRESe9v-9rS1c39FXI/s320/IMG_3192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">
<br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-family: "segoe script"; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Ann Reynolds</span></span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-3918934709975312042017-04-30T20:36:00.001-05:002018-02-06T14:50:20.174-06:00Things Aren't Always As They Seem<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You remember all those
funny “why” questions? </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why
isn't 11 pronounced onety one? Why do you park in a driveway and drive on a parkway? Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites? Why do croutons come in airtight packages when they are just stale bread? Why are boxing rings square? Why is it called a Confederate Rose when it is neither Confederate nor a Rose? Maybe it is a stretch on the last one . . . . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc0PVCnctRA2t_3LgVzPBb9AjLezyuA6XQ3-0uKgX5BZt8qC8cnsjVbFberpRrJO7FJgeKkaWf11PphZqyvxUXZH41wmIsEEN49RpgnOqOUPUXvTO-jEHpYp5_bABAA6AobLjBRMaKh8/s1600/george-carlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc0PVCnctRA2t_3LgVzPBb9AjLezyuA6XQ3-0uKgX5BZt8qC8cnsjVbFberpRrJO7FJgeKkaWf11PphZqyvxUXZH41wmIsEEN49RpgnOqOUPUXvTO-jEHpYp5_bABAA6AobLjBRMaKh8/s320/george-carlin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Wikipedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the South’s most beloved plants, the Confederate Rose, is
actually a native of China and it belongs to the Hibiscus family. The botanical
name for this blooming beauty is <i>Hibiscus
mutabilis</i>. So how did this plant acquire its name? Legend is that a wounded
Confederate soldier spilled blood at the foot of the plant and the flowers
soaked it up. The flowers have the remarkable ability to bloom pure white and
the next day turn to pink. . .hence the romantic legend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDuaz42cgQhLUKOhSMOOy0_hpzuXpVra39U5iBcFHK-VBf7ePSo1aCK73-xnUP0OT2Dx_JoZezwkyXi4comIlyVgdu30ltFnXqs-pvzf9NhAPEJBKdkcEAUH1sgaH6NkoHmWsFoM1c8s/s1600/220px-Hibiscus_mutabilis%252C_changing_colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDuaz42cgQhLUKOhSMOOy0_hpzuXpVra39U5iBcFHK-VBf7ePSo1aCK73-xnUP0OT2Dx_JoZezwkyXi4comIlyVgdu30ltFnXqs-pvzf9NhAPEJBKdkcEAUH1sgaH6NkoHmWsFoM1c8s/s1600/220px-Hibiscus_mutabilis%252C_changing_colors.jpg" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The blooms (are often mistaken for peonies which only bloom in
the spring) can be single or double and also bloom pink or red. By the way, how
do you pronounce peony? Is it pee-oh-knee or pee-uh-knee? I digress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGObCDWI5No58iWM-MzsSgdqV5CeF0_Tp5QGfmbkS7hfcRMoFQaxwl97SwQ3jdgc9UZ6dWc_pq7m7ZuknFzqDK2l5yom-_KznaENahZDjAXGH4lo_n_Uka8KlF2uuPc9imWD5vG0Wpvw/s1600/2012-04-22_5366_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGObCDWI5No58iWM-MzsSgdqV5CeF0_Tp5QGfmbkS7hfcRMoFQaxwl97SwQ3jdgc9UZ6dWc_pq7m7ZuknFzqDK2l5yom-_KznaENahZDjAXGH4lo_n_Uka8KlF2uuPc9imWD5vG0Wpvw/s200/2012-04-22_5366_edited-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4ehqyAfEFCgtHztYVnhtKTj9Lz_-HXq-fgMTVnOrWhxujKovWqXAIcc7ZVii4hNTle2g1A2zcRtUgjizU0Gdd7cBUqY49khHoem1wGiO0ugdfJpD2L__oZ1M50kZjVjZFxHgv0S9krI/s1600/d7a3eff1bcd1ccb279b73686408edf42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4ehqyAfEFCgtHztYVnhtKTj9Lz_-HXq-fgMTVnOrWhxujKovWqXAIcc7ZVii4hNTle2g1A2zcRtUgjizU0Gdd7cBUqY49khHoem1wGiO0ugdfJpD2L__oZ1M50kZjVjZFxHgv0S9krI/s200/d7a3eff1bcd1ccb279b73686408edf42.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confederate Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Confederate Rose is difficult to find in nurseries and is
now generally a pass-along plant. You can start it from seed but the easiest
way is to find someone to give you a stem cutting and root it in water. It
likes full to part sun and fertile soil. It blooms in the fall and comes back
in our area from the roots. It will grow into a woody shrub or small tree.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sQGLuTkziyZn4buyYvPJ6XBUCz8T9xCU7Dy0vuW7DFKn7wTqNLfYMBuTwa1vjeFnEMTqVEWud8gAjZNzrixsW9FgYXEA9rEOj_Gf6r_-YpYNASIsK558MjfHigqcc2RdQDxn7mON1ts/s1600/dd9257f99db73810bba7a01df677f551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sQGLuTkziyZn4buyYvPJ6XBUCz8T9xCU7Dy0vuW7DFKn7wTqNLfYMBuTwa1vjeFnEMTqVEWud8gAjZNzrixsW9FgYXEA9rEOj_Gf6r_-YpYNASIsK558MjfHigqcc2RdQDxn7mON1ts/s320/dd9257f99db73810bba7a01df677f551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The most popular plant is the Confederate Rose called Plena. The
big double blossoms open white, change to pink the next day and end up red
before falling. Often, you will see all three colors on the same plant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlSe0T8lpTYtK_muCRMLT_mZpEpvdbOx0A1QDYyNDpV-F9YP53l6v7sE0lPBq13duwyN7sgc8_UQSFWAq2DywNTvegJBpzzvmwyjrrtWXGPtxGtv41ChO-ltZk0PtLoZNMAXnehpEhKA/s1600/DSC_0851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlSe0T8lpTYtK_muCRMLT_mZpEpvdbOx0A1QDYyNDpV-F9YP53l6v7sE0lPBq13duwyN7sgc8_UQSFWAq2DywNTvegJBpzzvmwyjrrtWXGPtxGtv41ChO-ltZk0PtLoZNMAXnehpEhKA/s200/DSC_0851.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are a member of Holly Gardeners here at Holly Lake Ranch,
you are fortunate to have several folks that will give you a cutting in the
fall. You don’t even have to ask. . pass-along plants are brought to meetings
and are free!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now maybe someone can tell me why the cereal is called Grape Nuts when it is neither grapes nor nuts? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "sofia"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ann Reynolds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-8040112520511920562017-03-16T13:19:00.006-05:002017-03-16T13:19:48.611-05:00HAINT THAT GREAT!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #545454; font-size: 12pt;">Haint</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
- </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Southern colloquialism
def., ghost, apparition, lost soul. Haints are supposedly</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-size: 12pt;"> restless spirits of the dead who, for whatever
reason, have not moved on from their physical world. </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Ann,
“what do haints have to do with nature and gardening?” Well, paint color has a
lot to do with mud daubers. So there really is a segue!</span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you ever hear of
Haint Blue paint? The original Haint Blue paint creators were Gullah or Geechee
people, descendants of African slaves, who worked on rice plantations. They
preserved their African heritage more than any other African American community
by keeping alive traditions, stories and beliefs of their ancestors, including
fear of haints. The first painted strokes of Haint Blue adorned the simple
shacks of African slaves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After noticing the blue
paint and hearing the stories of haints, many Southerners also began painting
the porch ceiling blue out of fear of haints. This color was thought to protect
homeowners from being taken or influenced by haints or to protect the occupants
from evil. This blue paint can be found on window and door frames too. The soft
blue color, common in the historic homes around Savannah, Georgia, and
Charleston, South Carolina, is now referred to as Haint Blue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over the years, people
began to notice that these painted ceilings appeared to repel insects.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> Most credible sources discredit this. However, this
belief could be seated in historical truths.</span> Milk and lye paints were
first used on ceilings. Lye is a known insect repellent. Some folks think that
insects will not nest on blue ceiling because the insects think the blue
ceiling is the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I decided to conduct my
own experiment. I do not like to destroy mud dauber nests because the dauber is
a beneficial wasp. But, the mud nest stains the wood on my porch. So I thought
of giving the Haint Blue paint a try. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So what color is Haint
Blue? <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Most paint experts agree that the best
shade of blue is the one that fits the look of the house. You don't want a blue
ceiling to look like an afterthought or like it came out of nowhere</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyVlxxPNt-bkoQ-EwGo_0jYWvcgy92s3fIAh_1wXtoKrz2rnLKofiJX72s132bdbm4StINV1G3NrwL8wodgdmZ-eGUsL661-m-W1GXLsZaVqEXsoCsa0dwzXC8IjewUqRK5yWI0heFIU/s1600/2017-03-14+13.45.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyVlxxPNt-bkoQ-EwGo_0jYWvcgy92s3fIAh_1wXtoKrz2rnLKofiJX72s132bdbm4StINV1G3NrwL8wodgdmZ-eGUsL661-m-W1GXLsZaVqEXsoCsa0dwzXC8IjewUqRK5yWI0heFIU/s200/2017-03-14+13.45.46.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My front porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1MaISHfqitq7JppoJ9EsapQ1JPpTKsjg4ptZPYETbQ0T7K2_8FNotvkZlrNVES3R8bo6wxytlU7fyLdES0Wf0rJXlJTf5HsYhkshTxdLscjijEmKbD1ke-VeNiAcRG-kb7AkblZsoyg/s1600/2017-03-14+13.50.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1MaISHfqitq7JppoJ9EsapQ1JPpTKsjg4ptZPYETbQ0T7K2_8FNotvkZlrNVES3R8bo6wxytlU7fyLdES0Wf0rJXlJTf5HsYhkshTxdLscjijEmKbD1ke-VeNiAcRG-kb7AkblZsoyg/s200/2017-03-14+13.50.13.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unpainted area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666;">So I
picked my </span><span style="color: #666666;">Haint Blue<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> color (a soft blue-green) and my hubby bent over backward (literally)
to paint the ceiling. Over the summer I watched and watched to see if the paint
deterred the mud daubers and I am happy to report it did. I also noticed I did
not have the big nests of daddy longlegs. More importantly, I was concerned
that it would also send my little wrens packing for a different porch but it
did not. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">There goes the theory of the Haint Blue being the sky.</span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> I did not
notice if I had more or less ghosts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYODQjZy9PvXdnoJemihbRZRB-5__sJ3CyCpc_nXLFDdkKjHNHBo9pYpdriJdlVhIcFd9cZ46sEN8FVv6wpN81k5XVVbbrLvmWfIRBt3OhAC8i84cLYskGo23Awq1ApjthVdKkWWLhzxQ/s1600/animated-ghost-image-0027.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYODQjZy9PvXdnoJemihbRZRB-5__sJ3CyCpc_nXLFDdkKjHNHBo9pYpdriJdlVhIcFd9cZ46sEN8FVv6wpN81k5XVVbbrLvmWfIRBt3OhAC8i84cLYskGo23Awq1ApjthVdKkWWLhzxQ/s1600/animated-ghost-image-0027.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666;">So during
your spring cleaning, you might want to try painting your porch ceiling Haint
Blue.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #423e3d;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;">Whether the choice is based on superstition, getting back
to nature or just because you think it's a lovely color, blue porch ceilings
are a wonderful way to add visual interest to your outdoor space. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ann Reynolds</span></blockquote>
</div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-27810231808235863762016-11-16T19:42:00.000-06:002016-11-16T19:42:50.664-06:00Get to Know the Creatures in Your Yard<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you
ever just sat in your garden and looked at the world of the insects, bees,
reptiles, birds and the plants? I mean, get down on their level and see the world as they see it. My favorite thing to do is to take a cup of
coffee and go to the garden just as the sun comes up. The smell of the flowers
and herbs is almost overwhelming. Last week I sat and watched, for the longest time, an Anole and his
antics sparked my curiosity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Green
Anole</span> <i>(</i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif";">Anolis carolinensis</span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">) is indigenous to the southern
United States. With a dorsal coat of lime to emerald green (very rare and
gorgeous specimens are tinted blue), the green Anole is an agile climber and dines on spiders, grasshoppers and other insect prey. These green guys are personable little
lizards that seem to enjoy being hand-fed too. That is if you like picking up
spiders and grasshoppers.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHCBpdiwKd-wUSWYXdD4kbGW5eJU-l8SDZCPBoUq5bqw8G062HJlxumOkt5ezcswhvCY7wWYj673XmFtl6XGxujVwyBFieRKa3KO5WdRCFWf5UC4_wWJnTIJhknAeaDVYncloio17C0M/s1600/DSC_0787+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHCBpdiwKd-wUSWYXdD4kbGW5eJU-l8SDZCPBoUq5bqw8G062HJlxumOkt5ezcswhvCY7wWYj673XmFtl6XGxujVwyBFieRKa3KO5WdRCFWf5UC4_wWJnTIJhknAeaDVYncloio17C0M/s320/DSC_0787+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space">
<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These little herps (slang for reptiles and amphibians) are also sometimes referred to as the</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
American chameleon </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">due to its ability to change color
from several brown hues to bright green. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, it is not a true chameleon. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The color changes are caused by
hormones, background color or mood. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anoles also do push-ups to regulate their inner temperature. They are ectothermic which means their environment determines their body temperature. On a hot afternoon if you see a male Anole doing push-ups and there is no female around, chances are he is cooling off. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Green Anoles tend to remain green
when temperatures are more than 70 degrees F., whereas they tend to remain
brown during cool weather conditions or when stressed.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> And get this - its toes have adhesive pads to facilitate
climbing<span style="background: white; color: #252525; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This little green guy that I observed was doing push-ups all by himself. I was saddened. I’m sure you’ve seen them where you live.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SgKRmXPFUbo" width="459"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Video courtesy of Courtney Neumeyer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This behavior is to catch the female Anole’s eye. Which leads to this.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53mBNFRbYNyClh5y3f9Qq3BgD8hYDuCw97W2y9UjlOBtjpmdnVnGzyAHw0K-kCgEOgagwxFojVUIMT99ZC9U3A1aSkXFc6cx1fZRDvi01Dsu0QZGvLwPHcFj6ffvNommq9WoiTJeGmsw/s1600/my+anole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53mBNFRbYNyClh5y3f9Qq3BgD8hYDuCw97W2y9UjlOBtjpmdnVnGzyAHw0K-kCgEOgagwxFojVUIMT99ZC9U3A1aSkXFc6cx1fZRDvi01Dsu0QZGvLwPHcFj6ffvNommq9WoiTJeGmsw/s1600/my+anole.JPG" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Females pay attention to this display of fitness, sort of like watching Chippendale Dancers (not that I have ever seen any Chippendale Dancers).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Female lizards rate their guys by the size of their. . . .wait for it. . .dewlap. It is the bright-colored patch that the male lizard sports on their necks or on their bellies. Doing these push-ups is much like a body builder flexing his muscles.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://49.media.tumblr.com/12cc0492a4e9a1aa7e87d0b0d2abce73/tumblr_nol6b8Z2qd1s83lk7o1_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://49.media.tumblr.com/12cc0492a4e9a1aa7e87d0b0d2abce73/tumblr_nol6b8Z2qd1s83lk7o1_400.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So once in a while forget your gardening to do list and slow down, rest, relax and discover the soap opera that goes on daily in your garden. You may not get ahead of those weeds, but you will find unexpected drama unfolding. A leisurely pace has its rewards!</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0;" /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-2024988648881482352016-10-31T15:30:00.000-05:002016-10-31T15:30:09.452-05:00Why Pickles?<div class="stnd-stnd" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Holly Lake Ranch’s Pickleball Association</span><span style="color: #333333;"> has grown drastically since it was organized here in 2014. Back then, Holly Lake Ranch pickleball only had a handful
of members and they played their games with portable nets on one tennis court
(which equals two pickleball courts). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="stnd-stnd" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;">But, as membership grew,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the homeowners' association had four new courts built and now, the game is truly booming. Holly Lake Ranch has outdoor pick-up games seven days a week, three leagues, and boasts
membership of 100+ players. The age range is 19 to 80+ years.</span></div>
<div class="stnd-stnd" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ2eiwDi2SU2LVS4IR7eamtKRowJwkHr3M-reLvEaMmNgU7HlxsAOpZSebTAENHH0SVYDRG5CbUjN8w6Bts24CMsxb0LpBGlVYzy-1GbzFutpAfiyuWbm31bXhLq5imQyuYfGey7xMHg/s1600/ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ2eiwDi2SU2LVS4IR7eamtKRowJwkHr3M-reLvEaMmNgU7HlxsAOpZSebTAENHH0SVYDRG5CbUjN8w6Bts24CMsxb0LpBGlVYzy-1GbzFutpAfiyuWbm31bXhLq5imQyuYfGey7xMHg/s200/ball.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav6kWfQBRy8HCybZOh876xa9emUGqxrokQpOxFb8-hOu5J_O-cLdyvwBX9WP5tIlCm-TAkZJDBKvYr6cTYkq1IPtICK2lQ4yiD3J8ij_3OThQdFgLaWnyDUPzU6yZAkv86l-ymZcebss/s1600/paddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav6kWfQBRy8HCybZOh876xa9emUGqxrokQpOxFb8-hOu5J_O-cLdyvwBX9WP5tIlCm-TAkZJDBKvYr6cTYkq1IPtICK2lQ4yiD3J8ij_3OThQdFgLaWnyDUPzU6yZAkv86l-ymZcebss/s200/paddle.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="color: #333333;">So what is pickleball? The hybrid game, played with an over-sized
ping pong paddle </span><span style="color: #333333;">and whiffle ball, </span><span style="color: #333333;">was born in 1965 in Bainbridge, Washington,
as a cure for children’s summertime boredom. Despite its name, the only thing
the game has in common with dilled cucumbers is a dog named Pickles. It earned
its name when the dog would steal the founder’s game ball.</span></div>
<div class="stnd-stnd" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333;">It is a sport created for all ages and skill levels, the
rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop
into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Most
players compare pickleball to tennis, played on a badminton-sized court that’s
roughly one-half of a tennis court. Scoring is similar: two bounces in the play
area or one bounce outside of it results in a point for the other team. </span><span style="color: #333333;">The game is primarily played as a doubles game in recreation play. It requires little running; instead it places more emphasis on hand-eye coordination and dexterity. These aspects make it a life-long sport, one that can be easily learned at almost any age.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="stnd-stnd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 15pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">A year ago, I decided to play in one of these pick-up games to see what all the hoopla was about. I have played USTA tennis for the last fifteen years so I thought this should be a no brainer.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAX4FqgvdqEC7Pt_0GUehGrC_URkHJpJu0e8s5jWVEfCVyqNz9mQOcr49oIpp9FHChw3_onbvcj5gXmpeKgepWxM2Ndm9BG8MjDQvq1uEu373mE9gSvN41wqsKkylWIqLt1EBU8Ax_Ns/s1600/65691_10200694415876949_564405193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAX4FqgvdqEC7Pt_0GUehGrC_URkHJpJu0e8s5jWVEfCVyqNz9mQOcr49oIpp9FHChw3_onbvcj5gXmpeKgepWxM2Ndm9BG8MjDQvq1uEu373mE9gSvN41wqsKkylWIqLt1EBU8Ax_Ns/s200/65691_10200694415876949_564405193_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Lisa Ross</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6MUtEGmsuTSODeotJHMy_zKqp5LXcuqRHNs3MFFUuxqfDPUxTB1slxmEc2wZJFQUM0RDmTfrBj387fdB5YKAqg9MM2r_bqXuElRWfsTVjo6mfDvMobrt0hXuTwoy-0xq0oSzSbA2Hg0/s1600/13620053_1753014891642599_4048305757377730223_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6MUtEGmsuTSODeotJHMy_zKqp5LXcuqRHNs3MFFUuxqfDPUxTB1slxmEc2wZJFQUM0RDmTfrBj387fdB5YKAqg9MM2r_bqXuElRWfsTVjo6mfDvMobrt0hXuTwoy-0xq0oSzSbA2Hg0/s200/13620053_1753014891642599_4048305757377730223_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy Chris Waddell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;">I started in the novice group and was welcomed by all. This group was taught the basics of the sport. I never felt intimidated. . .well maybe, by the sheer number of players on the courts at all the times; but, what struck me, was the laughter, “good dig” comments, willingness to help and general friendliness of the group. As I started to play, I found the game easy to learn. Slowly, I started to understand the allure of a sport named after a bumpy green vegetable.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ikV4Id4DA_DWxAwlOVLKeHW8MpCZjj5PbPyWyGRSIUCEePwcN1RNI4TPqlEsmccYUWkxeeNJOAmUmFYec4L6NTuWNsIN53hc1l9v9rInZxWtzEe41UCGZMlrqs4zzTWnrsJE5vOhmtM/s1600/46051_1490138506244_5731846_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ikV4Id4DA_DWxAwlOVLKeHW8MpCZjj5PbPyWyGRSIUCEePwcN1RNI4TPqlEsmccYUWkxeeNJOAmUmFYec4L6NTuWNsIN53hc1l9v9rInZxWtzEe41UCGZMlrqs4zzTWnrsJE5vOhmtM/s200/46051_1490138506244_5731846_n.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would like to hit the person <br />
who took this photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;">As a newcomer to pickleball, I found that my tennis background did not help as much as I thought. I was under-striking the ball with the paddle and constantly hitting the net, even though the net was still shorter than those in regulation tennis. Argh! Even with the frustration and lack of a good serve, I still enjoyed pickleball. I never suspected that such a humorously-named sport would require not only physical but mental agility as well. A slight tilt of the paddle drastically alters a shot, which can give players an astonishing advantage. Also, when positioned close to the net, the game becomes very similar to ping-pong, with quick volleys that are often won on an unexpected spike.</span></div>
<div class="stnd-stnd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 15pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333;">The avid followers of pickleball at Holly Lake Ranch are a reflection of its budding popularity worldwide. It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation. Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) 2015 Participant Report reported pickleball currently has 2.46 million players. According to United States Pickleball Association, there are over 15,000 indoor and outdoor courts in the United States; and at least one location in all 50 states. Plus there are 138 places to play in the state of Texas. The game’s easy accessibility has gained a foothold with many folks.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="stnd-stnd" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Uz6-Ey3xYiZ6kvg-GSu4vfNTxP1Wr0XxLq6Q1CDqKLXRG2urgCGqGVxXxiuYsyj9Lb1IUdOKzXgnMdKPQgMFdQ08xHxoa0BXrKtBz3DlT2fU2qX6uE1FoWHHA-AjY1DMH60qfZS8nXQ/s1600/13680986_1753015034975918_8657258971876606851_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Uz6-Ey3xYiZ6kvg-GSu4vfNTxP1Wr0XxLq6Q1CDqKLXRG2urgCGqGVxXxiuYsyj9Lb1IUdOKzXgnMdKPQgMFdQ08xHxoa0BXrKtBz3DlT2fU2qX6uE1FoWHHA-AjY1DMH60qfZS8nXQ/s200/13680986_1753015034975918_8657258971876606851_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #333333;">I can say, now that pickleball is my favorite sport to
play. With each game and practice I get better and better. The game is played
to the score of 11 (only the serving team scores points) so a game can be short
or go on what seems like forever. You can sit out one game and play the next. It
is a great workout too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="stnd-stnd" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are interested in taking up
this new sport check out this useful web site. <a href="http://www.pickleballchannel.com/" target="_blank">http://www.pickleballchannel.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
You will love it!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgBeF-LRhVMN8qmbJV3z7UwhqGa6xybZHKIJLW-Ek1-TDuUi-oRPvY5DQ8U6N91UsVAw6FVazCO0RBNdOdIFWlb4nw_1gYVUJyDPbGyoPtD1wMbrxD1kVE24-9nIJBiQ-pJvvscw80kyBN9wYaC_VuwgVkiKkI7TJfUojwIuaz_EhZk3uhxYfd0zmKLO76uTXA_0cHl=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; cursor: move;" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"></span></div>
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsignatures.mylivesignature.com%2F54491%2F385%2FA6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgBeF-LRhVMN8qmbJV3z7UwhqGa6xybZHKIJLW-Ek1-TDuUi-oRPvY5DQ8U6N91UsVAw6FVazCO0RBNdOdIFWlb4nw_1gYVUJyDPbGyoPtD1wMbrxD1kVE24-9nIJBiQ-pJvvscw80kyBN9wYaC_VuwgVkiKkI7TJfUojwIuaz_EhZk3uhxYfd0zmKLO76uTXA_0cHl=" -->Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-2830970955386193862016-08-17T12:47:00.001-05:002016-08-17T12:47:49.449-05:00Getting Caught Up in the Garden<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You have seen it if you live at Holly Lake Ranch.
That vine with the shiny green leaves, beautiful red or black berries, and
thorns, prickles or spines (depending on species). Like you care if it is a
prickle or thorn when the vine is stuck in the middle of your leg!! We are talking about Smilax or Greenbrier.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIZ3A0F36TPjYbTq1gaPRXk6wPgX5Tr5U18eP12q7-ZLgUgCiO4yeFr2JcIrRztWEcE03ub7Bili6NFftUq07C25gkl-ccjFD1WMSmtlgP3bjXjGxdE7m83SCEBMH8-fpbGATOej5cRo/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIZ3A0F36TPjYbTq1gaPRXk6wPgX5Tr5U18eP12q7-ZLgUgCiO4yeFr2JcIrRztWEcE03ub7Bili6NFftUq07C25gkl-ccjFD1WMSmtlgP3bjXjGxdE7m83SCEBMH8-fpbGATOej5cRo/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run-in with Smilax</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are curious, a prickle is a sharp outgrowth
from the plant’s bark. A thorn is a modified stem. A spine is a sharp pointed
modified leaf. Even more confusing is all true Greenbriers are Smilax but not
all Smilax species are Greenbriers. Here is east Texas we are “blessed” with
many species of Smilax but suffice it to say, we will call it Smilax. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The red-berried Smilax (<i>Smilax walteri</i>) creeps over bushes at the edges of sandy swamps or
near streams. It is a thin woody vine, which may be spiny or nearly spineless.
Its leaf surfaces are shiny green and it bears red berries during the winter.
It has long underground runners, but is not tuberous.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioL1SRLDpMv8EiP5QZMyyRr9Ter6-wA4Ve2C4-2Spr3ylGHKtQTyEZqGoug8NHVoXkiyQZ3ROD8BC2WMd3MRuAVcO-bDSZS85TtOWX_K0EZTaiRxVZJ-dgCsEXtrvhn_OneNFHbpkJNM/s1600/walterii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioL1SRLDpMv8EiP5QZMyyRr9Ter6-wA4Ve2C4-2Spr3ylGHKtQTyEZqGoug8NHVoXkiyQZ3ROD8BC2WMd3MRuAVcO-bDSZS85TtOWX_K0EZTaiRxVZJ-dgCsEXtrvhn_OneNFHbpkJNM/s1600/walterii.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walteri - <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo courtesy of Benny Simpson's Texas Native Shrubs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Sarsaparilla Vine (<i>Smilax pumila</i>) can be found growing in the open sandy woods of east
Texas. This weak, “unarmed” vine has few tendrils at the nodes and prefers to climb over low plants. The young leaves and stem are densely pubescent (having
fine hairs), becoming lustrous and smooth as it ages. It, too, has red berries but in
the spring.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXW5gSFNhfI7imDu3NKsDht4-okZDVjruORBN9CKlp2gZHOkMrlVntjNi3_CM5YoW8Id1s_bJaXmNxH4aHE1hG6PdPy-9-wCh4i3p6AmQDTTFscKcB_Ts91o57wRA7m590kNSgusi0HY/s1600/pumila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXW5gSFNhfI7imDu3NKsDht4-okZDVjruORBN9CKlp2gZHOkMrlVntjNi3_CM5YoW8Id1s_bJaXmNxH4aHE1hG6PdPy-9-wCh4i3p6AmQDTTFscKcB_Ts91o57wRA7m590kNSgusi0HY/s320/pumila.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumila - photo courtesy of Benny Simpson's Texas Native Shrubs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">China-root smilax (<i>Smilax tamnoides</i>) likes the damp woods
and low areas near creeks. It has knotty rhizomes, while the vine runs over
bushes and climbs into trees using its tendrils. The lower part of the stem is
covered with needle-like spines. The shiny leaves are of different shapes.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI-sS6woi8iNmKPZ3_7H3DdJoN36b6Bv4q8CdjBIAMeeToZl5gOjCPRRSzRiJDCnO4HvzLSaY1hjLO355YtJvexZ9RD-lU9ILFOaI5YgMt7gvjwajHmBrWGaZ0eW74gIpDwNEOJKUOVg/s1600/taminodes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI-sS6woi8iNmKPZ3_7H3DdJoN36b6Bv4q8CdjBIAMeeToZl5gOjCPRRSzRiJDCnO4HvzLSaY1hjLO355YtJvexZ9RD-lU9ILFOaI5YgMt7gvjwajHmBrWGaZ0eW74gIpDwNEOJKUOVg/s1600/taminodes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamnoides - <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo courtesy of Benny Simpson's Texas Native Shrubs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are other species of Smilax: <i>laurifolia, bona nox, routunifolia, smallii</i>, and <i>glauca, lasioneura </i>that grow in Texas. One species is enough for me!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">The one redeeming quality of this plant is that parts
are edible. </span><b><span style="background: white; color: red; font-size: 12pt;">**DO NOT EAT
ANY PLANT UNLESS YOU ARE 100% SURE WHAT THE PLANT IS.** </span></b><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">On
Merriwether’s blog "Foraging Texas", he states that tender vines, tendrils, tubers, leaves and
berries are edible. He even makes vegan jello </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">shots from this plant. Here is his blog: </span><a href="http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/greenbriar.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/greenbriar.html</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You may not want this vine in your garden or yard
and are having trouble getting rid of it. No amount of cutting or spraying will
do the trick. The problem is tubers! Digging out the tubers is the only way to
do away with this leg-eating vine. But if you read Merriwether’s blog, the
tubers are high in starch and edible. Wonder if I can substitute tubers for
potatoes in my diet?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZReGwdGixET0jcb8-tEHz0FGy_6ULOhqQNFglvMgb__5oWUUN4nV4SgfCOTLlio2jU034UuQcLAgBToGYISeySTgZGcZf-zvF8PLQE_HZ4u4KwVdUVwo2h4_KodOXyxygauPwn26iPe0/s1600/2014-03-16+01.05.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZReGwdGixET0jcb8-tEHz0FGy_6ULOhqQNFglvMgb__5oWUUN4nV4SgfCOTLlio2jU034UuQcLAgBToGYISeySTgZGcZf-zvF8PLQE_HZ4u4KwVdUVwo2h4_KodOXyxygauPwn26iPe0/s320/2014-03-16+01.05.13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tubers from one plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxToRzfTKhxYbzgpOwYeFx2B0XXufpnp3Ww1JEIYXvJa-Mux6BMIhVnVsjmyAjgbCGJ8_Cov8HVU6BGvpemnXFA_YEdT1JXZHVI773-UCDmLXWqhUTn0DEOnBqG38oZWZP66KO5_4GHg/s1600/smilax+seedlings+from+sonnia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxToRzfTKhxYbzgpOwYeFx2B0XXufpnp3Ww1JEIYXvJa-Mux6BMIhVnVsjmyAjgbCGJ8_Cov8HVU6BGvpemnXFA_YEdT1JXZHVI773-UCDmLXWqhUTn0DEOnBqG38oZWZP66KO5_4GHg/s320/smilax+seedlings+from+sonnia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Smilax - photo courtesy of Sonnia Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, if you are out working in the woods, be sure to
wear leather gloves, long sleeves and jeans. Be sure to tell your family where you are. If you should go missing, they will know you are
being held captive by the thorns, prickles, and spines of Smilax!</span></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, as always, things could be worse. . . . </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3dmRxjHlcSD5YvGZHGI6LKfUQQuwnn2sic8rsgpq7byf-8TD6aTnVCpH9lQA5ibGLMoQe8ibgDAd9NZIpIT6fl_AzkZ9O1t0Iwsqrp7i8GtxteoImWTTM2kObIQL2CoJqdtDwe9LpQI/s1600/Pereskia_grandifolia_ies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3dmRxjHlcSD5YvGZHGI6LKfUQQuwnn2sic8rsgpq7byf-8TD6aTnVCpH9lQA5ibGLMoQe8ibgDAd9NZIpIT6fl_AzkZ9O1t0Iwsqrp7i8GtxteoImWTTM2kObIQL2CoJqdtDwe9LpQI/s320/Pereskia_grandifolia_ies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Sofia; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ann
Reynolds</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-57173856731539770292016-06-27T20:27:00.000-05:002016-06-27T20:27:00.848-05:00Gators Everywhere!<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have all read and seen the news reports of the death of the child being attacked by an alligator. It was such a very sad, sad thing. People never expected that creature to be in that location. For us in East Texas, alligators are a familiar sighting in ponds, streams, lakes and even the water hazards of the golf course. But, knowing they are here does not mean we humans are safe. Our HOA has had signage </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for years</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> stating our swimming areas are also alligator habitats. I began thinking "do I really know much about gators except the meat tastes good at Rodney's Circle M Crawfish?" Since I like to be out on the water here, I decided to brush up on these dinosaur-like creatures to be safe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alligators, crocodiles and gharials are in a group of
animals known as crocodilians. Crocodilians are the world’s largest reptiles –
yipes!! The American alligator (<i>Alligator
mississippenisis</i>) is the least aggressive crocodilian – I guess that is a
good thing. . . maybe.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJN2oU9bZIprwR9jH8DvljH_LY3oceDbzBbI37Ms_aaf0CBXvzbbVU8YJdjE2ZU2sfcEsh4FQ_WDegDFobpKZl9f29mKezvz0KiKcn9q7F8uoaX-j47Si-oalvBxyQJk9II2zTPWQhy7Y/s1600/gator1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJN2oU9bZIprwR9jH8DvljH_LY3oceDbzBbI37Ms_aaf0CBXvzbbVU8YJdjE2ZU2sfcEsh4FQ_WDegDFobpKZl9f29mKezvz0KiKcn9q7F8uoaX-j47Si-oalvBxyQJk9II2zTPWQhy7Y/s320/gator1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alligator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YtdwJrx2eiN5RZ8g9O0aDsBa0QuV3KYSD0S7zp3VPZ_QpgIjg-JZqqHZ2AVfHdcwVdbudo7kvvWXCTaV0cqcr_BTQ1BgrCcSJXrELsLvp7pqBedBVjdk3GnCdml7xo83_kH7kvk6RVQ/s1600/croc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YtdwJrx2eiN5RZ8g9O0aDsBa0QuV3KYSD0S7zp3VPZ_QpgIjg-JZqqHZ2AVfHdcwVdbudo7kvvWXCTaV0cqcr_BTQ1BgrCcSJXrELsLvp7pqBedBVjdk3GnCdml7xo83_kH7kvk6RVQ/s320/croc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocodile (Wikipedia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv_miVvNv7BQPJE4Tz_fL7JbRvtxF1mebpa02FsTgxhR37c-05dEdwJQdVakgusJp4FHbcph921Vhm7kglpR4ph8jCgeglNFiLJCmLtrOJMw2BdyibmilDcpogh6tS3-HWAzEUC0IciI/s1600/Gharial_san_diego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv_miVvNv7BQPJE4Tz_fL7JbRvtxF1mebpa02FsTgxhR37c-05dEdwJQdVakgusJp4FHbcph921Vhm7kglpR4ph8jCgeglNFiLJCmLtrOJMw2BdyibmilDcpogh6tS3-HWAzEUC0IciI/s320/Gharial_san_diego.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gharial (Wikipedia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alligators normally avoid humans but become nuisance animals when
they establish territories where there are humans. As we begin to move into their territories here in east
Texas, there have been increased encounters between humans, pets and
alligators. The current legal definition of a nuisance gator is “an alligator
depredating livestock or pets or a threat to human health or safety.” The
definition of all of this is located in the Texas Administrative Code (Title 31,
Part 2, Chapter 65, Section 65.352) if you are in want of a little light
reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gators are ectothermic meaning the air temperature around them
determines their body temperature. When the temperature reaches 60 degrees or
less they burrow in the ground and remain dormant (mid-October to early March).
This period is called brumation. March through May is their breeding season.
During this time females stay close to home territories while male alligators
can occupy ranges up to ten square miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They are active dusk-dawn and feed in the evening hours. In the summer a large alligator may only eat once or twice a week. Alligators have excellent sight, smell and hearing. They are very good at stalking their prey without being seen. They are carnivorous and will eat anything they can catch including fish, turtles, lizards, snakes, small mammals, waterbirds, crustaceans and other alligators. Alligator jaw muscles have little strength for opening their mouths, but the muscles that shut them are very strong and have awesome force, about 300 pounds per square inch in an adult. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMd-hbqfnJV0JCQoWeXov0IkhQ4HzueynK1dmA4WjEFvvfacIvDgJpGH3ooAj42iweT5jqF6MMZJJFRzM2IwLsmU7v91TI7iB61m6GsN7Z9TCp3iQ92DS5wSPw_zsGoi1jG3j-gLjf-g/s1600/gator3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMd-hbqfnJV0JCQoWeXov0IkhQ4HzueynK1dmA4WjEFvvfacIvDgJpGH3ooAj42iweT5jqF6MMZJJFRzM2IwLsmU7v91TI7iB61m6GsN7Z9TCp3iQ92DS5wSPw_zsGoi1jG3j-gLjf-g/s200/gator3.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6Fycl5N2s2FyBogM3KYwapD3w6r0RKNcL7_qTK4aRinS7XYBd3zkTdu6d8Jo5DLlRV_afUE7xoePWI0iFYyoUHroM8h7DYdfxAB8fdVo_bSGwThy9BeGPtE_x5jz4pxXKJqnlFpNJu0/s1600/gator2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6Fycl5N2s2FyBogM3KYwapD3w6r0RKNcL7_qTK4aRinS7XYBd3zkTdu6d8Jo5DLlRV_afUE7xoePWI0iFYyoUHroM8h7DYdfxAB8fdVo_bSGwThy9BeGPtE_x5jz4pxXKJqnlFpNJu0/s200/gator2.jpg" width="200" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Other interesting facts are:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Large gators can hold their breath for 45 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Females seldom reach lengths of 9 feet but males can be 14
feet.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In captivity, female alligators may reach 30 years of age,
however, males can live past 60!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They are very vocal and make sounds like a bark, bellow
grunt or hiss depending on the circumstances.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They are very quick on land and are capable of running
quickly over short distances. Generally, alligators will not flee when on land.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h8nObGWmTVfJ8DigjuGHfxwRdjaiS-XL1YZrQnqsFRMlljWkb6X6vPr54vMP3-pK1bUbB1kdFEcbPdm4rphr85JswJcsKoPlDauYfsdgghQYQXEfmVyqlXcdw4pUJGcpUMtYs7gpMi0/s1600/gator4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h8nObGWmTVfJ8DigjuGHfxwRdjaiS-XL1YZrQnqsFRMlljWkb6X6vPr54vMP3-pK1bUbB1kdFEcbPdm4rphr85JswJcsKoPlDauYfsdgghQYQXEfmVyqlXcdw4pUJGcpUMtYs7gpMi0/s320/gator4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>**Except when engaged in hunting, it is against the law to intentionally feed a free-ranging alligator.**</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Texas Parks and Wildlife has a great article called “If You
See an Alligator” that you may want to read. The URL is: <a href="http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/alligator/safety/index.phtml">http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/alligator/safety/index.phtml</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you do not live in gator country and want to see them up close, visit Charlie Harris' East Texas Gator Farm which is located between Grand Saline, Van and Lindale, Texas. Charlie is an animal rehab person and has a small zoo on the premises. Call first and find out when he feeds them. You won't be disappointed in the action. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.easttexasgators.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.easttexasgators.com/</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLgV7B7u0ZRWixA1p2x75i_0YBTY90703oX0nb99LPyjuvi9fAoQGuSuXuyaXjEukoqi0uj-TPsf4wqalovHsk8S3qcSVFybJQFJeyRQMp4pSoPXtPcKo0APC9_khPOg-B4aVb6FzKJM/s1600/charlie+harris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLgV7B7u0ZRWixA1p2x75i_0YBTY90703oX0nb99LPyjuvi9fAoQGuSuXuyaXjEukoqi0uj-TPsf4wqalovHsk8S3qcSVFybJQFJeyRQMp4pSoPXtPcKo0APC9_khPOg-B4aVb6FzKJM/s320/charlie+harris.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie at feeding time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgBeF-LRhVMN8qmbJV3z7UwhqGa6xybZHKIJLW-Ek1-TDuUi-oRPvY5DQ8U6N91UsVAw6FVazCO0RBNdOdIFWlb4nw_1gYVUJyDPbGyoPtD1wMbrxD1kVE24-9nIJBiQ-pJvvscw80kyBN9wYaC_VuwgVkiKkI7TJfUojwIuaz_EhZk3uhxYfd0zmKLO76uTXA_0cHl=" /><br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsignatures.mylivesignature.com%2F54491%2F385%2FA6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgBeF-LRhVMN8qmbJV3z7UwhqGa6xybZHKIJLW-Ek1-TDuUi-oRPvY5DQ8U6N91UsVAw6FVazCO0RBNdOdIFWlb4nw_1gYVUJyDPbGyoPtD1wMbrxD1kVE24-9nIJBiQ-pJvvscw80kyBN9wYaC_VuwgVkiKkI7TJfUojwIuaz_EhZk3uhxYfd0zmKLO76uTXA_0cHl=" -->Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-51965822737744128242016-02-22T20:18:00.003-06:002016-02-24T09:17:29.383-06:00Just Do One Thing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">My good friend, Liz the realtor, guilted me into the continuation of this blog about gardening, nature, the east Texas piney woods and dumb stuff I do. I think she just wants to read about the dumb stuff I do. If you enjoy my blog, please don't just like it on Facebook. Leave an anonymous comment at the bottom of this page. Heck, you can always say,"boy, Ann, that is dumb."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to talk about gardening for wildlife. I know,
I know, we live in the middle of huge wildlife preserve here at Holly Lake Ranch.
In talking about gardening for wildlife, I am not referring to planting so the
deer will eat it (but actually that happens anyway). There is a type of
gardening that sustains our wildlife and here are some ideas for attracting the
kind of wildlife you really want in your garden.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s start easy. . . .
with just one thing</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. Imagine if doing just one thing for wildlife really </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">could
really make a difference in their existence. I know this sounds weird, but
it’s true. We could make a huge difference for our local wildlife if each of us
chose to do just one thing in our garden. Really.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You don’t have to re-landscape your flower beds. You
don’t have to rip out your entire lawn (although doing that would be a great improvement for wildlife right there). You don’t have to
become a native plant expert. <b><i>You just
have to choose one helpful task and do it.</i></b> If we each did just that
much, struggling wildlife populations would have a better chance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One task could be to
welcome bugs to your wildlife garden</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. Whaaat? Are
insects good for the garden? The answer is yes. We tend to notice those that
damage our plants and overlook the ones that are harmless or beneficial to the
ecosystem that is our garden.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL5dlriJ-1Zz4L_lNbecwMJ19ZQtemCimB0RWZYaf9rG5p0MVEGkeOVIGzH-qedXCwi8mTGEidb8qMQ2RF_QTYttzVXYE5TPHHzQ9YLJPSq5ljGc0IRmONDiJZekbcZSF8be5nYFxCK4/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL5dlriJ-1Zz4L_lNbecwMJ19ZQtemCimB0RWZYaf9rG5p0MVEGkeOVIGzH-qedXCwi8mTGEidb8qMQ2RF_QTYttzVXYE5TPHHzQ9YLJPSq5ljGc0IRmONDiJZekbcZSF8be5nYFxCK4/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyxz6IMmLrasJYUB7Us1pRNrfqhuZFz2C6sR5pQzeLzPbhw-F78TTiuUdONKUGWGMT5bZciBMXE6-SjNJjPiyuiKUoOnGHdy1Bn1qb53Z3csbMP9BxwRPGHD-HRs6dAcNPSmM5fP87mk/s1600/AnnualCicada1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyxz6IMmLrasJYUB7Us1pRNrfqhuZFz2C6sR5pQzeLzPbhw-F78TTiuUdONKUGWGMT5bZciBMXE6-SjNJjPiyuiKUoOnGHdy1Bn1qb53Z3csbMP9BxwRPGHD-HRs6dAcNPSmM5fP87mk/s200/AnnualCicada1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOMfhPLY9oOKtgDwP0802j7a_rPsAGg5x8a5F1_7X252r6e8qsvjcFW1E36IMX6vbjmRNqXOdhPp01Ch2PB9zj-5cBOdA2hgOnWO8inbfvsbZGRL06N-SHcgW-teZKMDwedE-LehnDxo/s1600/lady+bug.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOMfhPLY9oOKtgDwP0802j7a_rPsAGg5x8a5F1_7X252r6e8qsvjcFW1E36IMX6vbjmRNqXOdhPp01Ch2PB9zj-5cBOdA2hgOnWO8inbfvsbZGRL06N-SHcgW-teZKMDwedE-LehnDxo/s200/lady+bug.jpg" width="200" /></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Worse yet, we use pesticide that kills all bugs
because we paint all insects with the same brush. </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGGJiNnR0VKZS8j44iUOuYGEJfPbY-TYmKcDMSFBsSZKHBa07lvuoC_RrdZ68VeTvCKOjULb5EG_EKvtgM2IXQFZpr2KOgZ1cARE_cSbjTcsTskD9jWGYGJJ1VfBfDShhJvNinmXpxUw/s1600/ban-roundup-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGGJiNnR0VKZS8j44iUOuYGEJfPbY-TYmKcDMSFBsSZKHBa07lvuoC_RrdZ68VeTvCKOjULb5EG_EKvtgM2IXQFZpr2KOgZ1cARE_cSbjTcsTskD9jWGYGJJ1VfBfDShhJvNinmXpxUw/s200/ban-roundup-250.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The fact is that many,
probably most, insects are invaluable components of the ecosystem. You might want to consider organic gardening. Think of it
this way – no bugs; no birds. It is wise to learn and recognize and appreciate
these gardener friends. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here is a good resource published by Texas A&M. </span><a href="http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/index.htm" style="font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Beneficials in the Garden</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Welcome pollinators and butterflies to your garden.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Did you know there are more than 4,000 species of native bees and 725 species of butterflies on this continent? It takes 2 million flowers a bee has to tap to make a pound of honey and the estimated annual value of the honey bee to US agriculture is over $9 billion dollars. The honey bees are responsible for pollinating 1/3 of US crop species too. We need all kinds of bees even Bumbles and Mason! </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCTNzeKD9D_3e_fqvtXN5KTiEAGhBMEpk2o7fLPaVyTdHTeyFs6TCRwySlw2yuVa7cFQzIUQ5seYOARJeojHew_lihCaVpVka1sQ-dD35Jo08m_toYO6MCPVAuPgwZF9q3gL3aRwwAHc/s1600/2014-06-05+22.14.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCTNzeKD9D_3e_fqvtXN5KTiEAGhBMEpk2o7fLPaVyTdHTeyFs6TCRwySlw2yuVa7cFQzIUQ5seYOARJeojHew_lihCaVpVka1sQ-dD35Jo08m_toYO6MCPVAuPgwZF9q3gL3aRwwAHc/s200/2014-06-05+22.14.52.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxX2vdefvPZ5DQXTQrnfIVMJ9iTQhw5_4Z8FEzxBXGfD0SsK2_6M1gjIiEYmxRLXgW-ZSM2yvDiS4te2lSWKLLn6rkQH9erG2UdeF-bwH6fm29_2II00n_pkxmTxugm0KYgNz4PSLSjw/s1600/10268532_10203713301945868_8606647579391988695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxX2vdefvPZ5DQXTQrnfIVMJ9iTQhw5_4Z8FEzxBXGfD0SsK2_6M1gjIiEYmxRLXgW-ZSM2yvDiS4te2lSWKLLn6rkQH9erG2UdeF-bwH6fm29_2II00n_pkxmTxugm0KYgNz4PSLSjw/s200/10268532_10203713301945868_8606647579391988695_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUILmKELClf6liwBGfqOM9NBmtLhTTermInVw2tk-iAtRIyncWUmzZiwa3RHSC2cEiQ3ZHlkn6rS8gLlimIryxal4StV6-7uAWXNNJOh8l9LQACncfcSabNFfAl4yp52eVY67FiLZ2gw/s1600/10153969_10202810671780678_355341887_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUILmKELClf6liwBGfqOM9NBmtLhTTermInVw2tk-iAtRIyncWUmzZiwa3RHSC2cEiQ3ZHlkn6rS8gLlimIryxal4StV6-7uAWXNNJOh8l9LQACncfcSabNFfAl4yp52eVY67FiLZ2gw/s1600/10153969_10202810671780678_355341887_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUILmKELClf6liwBGfqOM9NBmtLhTTermInVw2tk-iAtRIyncWUmzZiwa3RHSC2cEiQ3ZHlkn6rS8gLlimIryxal4StV6-7uAWXNNJOh8l9LQACncfcSabNFfAl4yp52eVY67FiLZ2gw/s200/10153969_10202810671780678_355341887_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Consider planting the flowers they love, adding a water source and providing housing for them. Besides a hive, bees like upside down flower pots, old logs, or a board or two on the ground. Being a little untidy in the garden and on your property can be a big help. To make your butterfly garden successful,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">you need to supply both nectar and larval host plants. Nectar plants feed the adult butterflies and larval or host plants feed the caterpillars. Different species of butterflies have different needs, especially when it comes to the native butterfly host plants. Caterpillars are important. Without caterpillars, there are no butterflies. Well, duh!</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NMbFciTyvoK_8s7OSRUor3trmmv-4C0yLdwrEE3dhhPzAC_KjWqLC9btmIMwE9abMFpyGpNXF-fVwHsxnk5BjWb87APSjw7HRv_LYNaGdG06ui6el3YsvqJOPMAa2TgBA3cvLPRrF40/s1600/Gulf+Fritillary+larva.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NMbFciTyvoK_8s7OSRUor3trmmv-4C0yLdwrEE3dhhPzAC_KjWqLC9btmIMwE9abMFpyGpNXF-fVwHsxnk5BjWb87APSjw7HRv_LYNaGdG06ui6el3YsvqJOPMAa2TgBA3cvLPRrF40/s200/Gulf+Fritillary+larva.JPG" width="177" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-1qXX0q1hFi5vIMzGhF8sAebFtoofszc4oX915a2IKpNFOr1IZ4qjtOXnGUi69YsGfZU6uB_vyDAqeV8lX0lVEsYaLN8l2GG2mP4lFPV9DQK4uQHlfP0-W-hathRLd5HIcl2tInTL7Y/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-1qXX0q1hFi5vIMzGhF8sAebFtoofszc4oX915a2IKpNFOr1IZ4qjtOXnGUi69YsGfZU6uB_vyDAqeV8lX0lVEsYaLN8l2GG2mP4lFPV9DQK4uQHlfP0-W-hathRLd5HIcl2tInTL7Y/s200/DSC_0068.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZCKxQXcaP7fykSUeR0pdAAnYtgzMbexlhXCzvcS_PzQKhlpcd4bT6drHsucT8qq4nW2m4hxX4Ow-Bqj9Y0_5dE2vnFCCYQWD08XI0HQMvoCyoWWyNa1Oc5TEkIgLGQcLKcde726Hjew/s1600/Hatching+of+Gulf+Fritillary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZCKxQXcaP7fykSUeR0pdAAnYtgzMbexlhXCzvcS_PzQKhlpcd4bT6drHsucT8qq4nW2m4hxX4Ow-Bqj9Y0_5dE2vnFCCYQWD08XI0HQMvoCyoWWyNa1Oc5TEkIgLGQcLKcde726Hjew/s200/Hatching+of+Gulf+Fritillary.JPG" width="171" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Garden for the birds.</span></i></b><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #6d4d2d; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 15pt; text-align: justify;">I
love birdscaping. It is one of the very few activities that truly follows the
motto “If you build it, they will come.” By arranging your landscape or garden
to create welcoming habitats for birds including rest stops for migrating
birds, places for breeding and raising their young, and food and shelter for
winter residents, you will provide for birds’ basic needs. Birdscaping is much
more than putting up a few bird feeders.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbAoL5OEp8PeG8Fr0ujtlMcnxFS5PsuJs-_IFowmMCoV13Ye1WjTd5kcJZUHFdVRspMIzoxXBUiVx8mRqHZXZbfNHNzdmc1vUZjbtE0Hie3_GNjwtP20ZqxCJqeRqNunLqcsbLJiGPwk/s1600/2014-02-08+04.04.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbAoL5OEp8PeG8Fr0ujtlMcnxFS5PsuJs-_IFowmMCoV13Ye1WjTd5kcJZUHFdVRspMIzoxXBUiVx8mRqHZXZbfNHNzdmc1vUZjbtE0Hie3_GNjwtP20ZqxCJqeRqNunLqcsbLJiGPwk/s200/2014-02-08+04.04.43.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k3O0voR30rtnfMyE0WFFmbSGCnWGyofOM_VXMdzUOXBYSarGEZ25yIcqlXcfB6NazsJAEyi_5CUhAlJHip7wP8ck5XL1r8ojVUwFAfEVHCklsdfdeAydU4mPKapQHjnGa4mFJPSa2gI/s1600/2014-03-03+02.16.22-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k3O0voR30rtnfMyE0WFFmbSGCnWGyofOM_VXMdzUOXBYSarGEZ25yIcqlXcfB6NazsJAEyi_5CUhAlJHip7wP8ck5XL1r8ojVUwFAfEVHCklsdfdeAydU4mPKapQHjnGa4mFJPSa2gI/s200/2014-03-03+02.16.22-2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lastly, lead by example</span></span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.
Teaching your family, friends and neighbors to take the same action will
magnify your efforts and help a lot more. Now I’m not saying there’s some kind
of magic bullet that would solve all of the dangers facing our native wildlife,
but doing <b><i>one</i></b> thing will
certainly help to slow their decline.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Vh8TTi5AiosyI1nG9WW8DSn_S0O5Fnyj0qMNRa1YekO38q5HjRB-9RiyaHU8qwPmVgO1GBWezPEkSJXMKwwt4Pw4VKFSb3JGwj_ebJFy2Oj_FJxLpIhPkGZhrP8ObEwyqnbd-c4MnDc/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Vh8TTi5AiosyI1nG9WW8DSn_S0O5Fnyj0qMNRa1YekO38q5HjRB-9RiyaHU8qwPmVgO1GBWezPEkSJXMKwwt4Pw4VKFSb3JGwj_ebJFy2Oj_FJxLpIhPkGZhrP8ObEwyqnbd-c4MnDc/s200/DSC_0010.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, I'm eating here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-20145045645415280072015-06-17T16:55:00.001-05:002015-06-17T16:55:11.979-05:00You Say Tomato; I Say Tobacco<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24.375px;">My family is used to my weirdness. Case in point. . .my hubby, finding a hornworm, still attached to a moonflower, laying on our kitchen island.</span><br />
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24.375px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24.375px;"></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RKPEDByn6jBNR-0EDrZXN7Uwl4nOVY0XwWyePcJP5cfROv2glQ1v6K6kQ4ClryWl-jqVWQOksX5zmIR5zup19qKQiKMyZFX-tdrsyS_UrlZ_UcAtDRWktmyOTM2Um8aopnR_PnVw85w/s1600/2015-06-17+03.01.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RKPEDByn6jBNR-0EDrZXN7Uwl4nOVY0XwWyePcJP5cfROv2glQ1v6K6kQ4ClryWl-jqVWQOksX5zmIR5zup19qKQiKMyZFX-tdrsyS_UrlZ_UcAtDRWktmyOTM2Um8aopnR_PnVw85w/s320/2015-06-17+03.01.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24.375px;"><br /></span>
He just raised his eyebrows and did not ask. I tell him it is all in the name of science. I had the worm there in order to take a photo and then dispatch it to tomato hornworm heaven. I apologized by saying I got sidelined reading up on this green jewel.<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px;">I think most gardeners are inclined to immediately squish this green worm. I am guilty of that as well. But first lets take a look at what we have here. The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px;">tomato/tobacco hornworm feasts voraciously on plants of the nightshade family which include tomato, pepper, potato, nicotiana and moonflower. I have also seen them eat virginia creeper. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24.375px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0BS_yTP9t7D7nboMiuqzipzNWRxjKkjyZgfLXptM8x8p1QsqqVzlIoHPuVEcor3r1kpojhj45PRwhmvZefpKh0TJKERwzkQAxgiyKwLkjnpziQQiDMpZioXvY1GqbmZeouXoLylkEDw/s1600/2015-06-17+04.36.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0BS_yTP9t7D7nboMiuqzipzNWRxjKkjyZgfLXptM8x8p1QsqqVzlIoHPuVEcor3r1kpojhj45PRwhmvZefpKh0TJKERwzkQAxgiyKwLkjnpziQQiDMpZioXvY1GqbmZeouXoLylkEDw/s200/2015-06-17+04.36.52.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #373737; font-size: small; line-height: 24.375px; text-align: start;">A clue that you have a hornworm is a plant that looks like this.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzhXrGnAG8qIZDOLTcJMPkx0Nfml0Is5IHKFHzhkOP7pXrSXViGwaWzr2UAArEjBSi-Hjxzpq_F7fTzOD1Sw1MR6zKBD43ousQKXIdz8d_I9rRYAD8aezsnIAGuJM1aJlcGkyOnUmRPo/s1600/worm+poop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzhXrGnAG8qIZDOLTcJMPkx0Nfml0Is5IHKFHzhkOP7pXrSXViGwaWzr2UAArEjBSi-Hjxzpq_F7fTzOD1Sw1MR6zKBD43ousQKXIdz8d_I9rRYAD8aezsnIAGuJM1aJlcGkyOnUmRPo/s200/worm+poop.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #373737; font-size: small; line-height: 24.375px; text-align: start;">Or, you see the little round frass. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hornworm caterpillars get their name from the signature horns that grace their hind ends. Loathed by gardeners in its caterpillar stage, the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> tomato hornworm, has eight V-shaped marks on each side and a signature horn on the rear.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUAM8MEz9uG_wAmq0vX_NsXcXhNdaQ7Znzpq0ozTCHgZ2wh1RlUoxidT58Phhq9a_9mccVREWinRkQQMOyQTImHHfMyMe2yw4tvfIGlxesWCNIK7Sl24E3odtPNr2hd3fu_e8OtpXgSY/s1600/tomato+horn+worm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUAM8MEz9uG_wAmq0vX_NsXcXhNdaQ7Znzpq0ozTCHgZ2wh1RlUoxidT58Phhq9a_9mccVREWinRkQQMOyQTImHHfMyMe2yw4tvfIGlxesWCNIK7Sl24E3odtPNr2hd3fu_e8OtpXgSY/s1600/tomato+horn+worm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> tobacco hornworm, which closely resembles its tomato preferring cousin, has seven diagonal white lines on its sides and a curved horn. But, hey, who is counting.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WhhrBnALOfq0Dq32h6IqcsH_ZZdnp7Cj4OapbM7hGAJ4qL_MaLDo5OhT5SHjnWNJTUBvDruExJ4_9uIaUj6-cpImZevOOH8k6Z8gVIU_8w4KRfGzzTvJNd8LjZqLeb5BOX84OSBp820/s1600/tobacco+horn+worm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WhhrBnALOfq0Dq32h6IqcsH_ZZdnp7Cj4OapbM7hGAJ4qL_MaLDo5OhT5SHjnWNJTUBvDruExJ4_9uIaUj6-cpImZevOOH8k6Z8gVIU_8w4KRfGzzTvJNd8LjZqLeb5BOX84OSBp820/s1600/tobacco+horn+worm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both caterpillars turn into large moths, known as sphinx or hawk moths, with four- to six-inch wingspans in colors ranging from brown and gold to pink and gray. Sometimes we call these moths hummingbird moths because they resemble, wait for it, hummingbirds. Like a hummingbird, they feed on a deep-lobed flowers and are most active during late afternoon and dusk.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFo_f_IoTGabtgBpvEO6y7H1yEzv8Ngi_8UnLiGAsXhgkSPGgrEPtfpE1ToJHrFnM3gIbx60NfhgXriFlurOVkxpDXLixOCtqcp8NuguD3SmLPo5UWSB30_zCCLF6aszwqyWOZ85xDGk/s1600/tobacco+horn+worm+moth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFo_f_IoTGabtgBpvEO6y7H1yEzv8Ngi_8UnLiGAsXhgkSPGgrEPtfpE1ToJHrFnM3gIbx60NfhgXriFlurOVkxpDXLixOCtqcp8NuguD3SmLPo5UWSB30_zCCLF6aszwqyWOZ85xDGk/s200/tobacco+horn+worm+moth.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tobacco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkioLFfTn5_zik423B_we1D9urrshDdm-I_PQCnGKK1hpVJJN0W5waGInnvtS_PmAvpuWhP5BiJnL0ro5tVuiCd7VnebSP39lIMibSISSydqgTwJdGY2qAAk35yDGb3ZvxlmridSuYtk/s1600/tomato+horn+worm+moth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkioLFfTn5_zik423B_we1D9urrshDdm-I_PQCnGKK1hpVJJN0W5waGInnvtS_PmAvpuWhP5BiJnL0ro5tVuiCd7VnebSP39lIMibSISSydqgTwJdGY2qAAk35yDGb3ZvxlmridSuYtk/s200/tomato+horn+worm+moth.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tomato</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moths, the nocturnal brothers of butterflies, are generally under-appreciated and yet many are as striking as their celebrated butterfly siblings. Like butterflies, moths perform necessary pollination tasks and serve as primary fodder for bats, birds, even small mammals.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24.375px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One very good reason in keeping the caterpillar form of this moth around is that it is the primary pollinator of the agave plant. The Arizona desert agave makes tequila possible. No worm; no tequila. And, that my friends will be a sad, sad day.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a> </div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-19344701730300638672015-03-11T08:18:00.000-05:002015-03-11T08:18:13.975-05:00Is That an Eagle, Sparrow or Crow?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get a <strike>plethora of</strike> few phone calls from time to time asking for an identification of a certain bird. The phone call goes something like this: "I have a little brown bird in my yard. Do you know what it is?" After many questions, the caller and I usually narrow the identification down. So to help you, I thought you might like what I learned at a Davis Mountain bird identification class. The first thing the park ranger told us was to put away our ID books. I knew I was doomed!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Categorize the bird – there are many different categories of birds. One
of the first things you should do is learn these categories and peruse the
birds in them. No need to memorize these right now. But, as soon as you see it,
try to put the bird into one of the following categories:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Seabirds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Heron-like birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Swans, geese, ducks and duck-like birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Hawk-like birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chicken-like birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Marsh birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Gull-like birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Shorebirds and small waders</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Pigeon-like birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Owls and other nocturnal birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Jays and crows</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Shrikes and vireos</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Swallows</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chickadees, nuthatches, wrens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Thrushes, mimics</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Warblers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sparrows</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Blackbirds, Orioles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Finches</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Size – How big or small is the bird? You
can use size relativity to get a general idea. Size relativity refers to being
bigger or smaller than a sparrow, robin, crow or pigeon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Study silhouettes – this is an important part of identification because
most times, when a bird is flying, you can’t see all field marks. So pay
attention to body, beak, tail and legs. Then ask yourself:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QUV8s21uYiBPavyk_PPCQhxqd6L_oFHiMl1S7-EOZ-wfyYjQ-G6FYuJR9l98gvEOIxH39jCWKwklukuIKZF5RmmFWdtD_Uc2a1YLMx0dEoJUw71SgI4nKxtXu3zelMb6T07OMvtsYaw/s1600/bird_beaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QUV8s21uYiBPavyk_PPCQhxqd6L_oFHiMl1S7-EOZ-wfyYjQ-G6FYuJR9l98gvEOIxH39jCWKwklukuIKZF5RmmFWdtD_Uc2a1YLMx0dEoJUw71SgI4nKxtXu3zelMb6T07OMvtsYaw/s1600/bird_beaks.jpg" height="79" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Is the body short or long? Narrow or plump?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Is its beak fine, long, or short and stout
(insect or seed eater)? Is it dagger-shaped, hooked or straight</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Are its legs short or long? What color are the
legs?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Do the wings look rounded or pointed?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Do the wings have wing bars? Are they single, double, bold or obscure?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Is the tail notched or straight across?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlMvuQafyiixOtaj2j26IjueRlzvsdkm7et_lSL27MzCbWaxMjP2PVclb7zIPwycFuVzQlfa6Sev6B99Fqo7TykH-c_0O2Ew5ZCQ5GpPr69fLVA6Bp-baAERP6JDzuYdMkYJTq6SRKE4/s1600/tails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlMvuQafyiixOtaj2j26IjueRlzvsdkm7et_lSL27MzCbWaxMjP2PVclb7zIPwycFuVzQlfa6Sev6B99Fqo7TykH-c_0O2Ew5ZCQ5GpPr69fLVA6Bp-baAERP6JDzuYdMkYJTq6SRKE4/s1600/tails.jpg" height="122" width="200" /></a></div>
</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is the bird’s behavior? Different birds have different behaviors.
For example: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83hfihNoIPk3fYI44r3USLNs_q_WRKCTJCefL5XOEfTIklGQFFRX6Yd9IG1WRg3490H8LkjnDSJwF11cPb1MromD8sZYWZs3LE-aQTO17p85Z4l9MOjbsOd7SDwe4V1Gf8SNZS7PUqrA/s1600/Eastern%20Phoebe%20m17-67-259_l_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83hfihNoIPk3fYI44r3USLNs_q_WRKCTJCefL5XOEfTIklGQFFRX6Yd9IG1WRg3490H8LkjnDSJwF11cPb1MromD8sZYWZs3LE-aQTO17p85Z4l9MOjbsOd7SDwe4V1Gf8SNZS7PUqrA/s1600/Eastern%20Phoebe%20m17-67-259_l_1.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">an Eastern Phoebe repeatedly bobs it tail,</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlb7oZt_zSn7XSB1sbxE6KELw0Gi-8iNAgDZGBUEbSNYUuJYcrliPPZ_kWEDAn_DwJJ30fhEzdd6CRc5DnfTa0YQIUjoJL3peAh9qjv3SKudtgLc1CCCa4u4hiC7dW0ndooyhJc0YLSw/s1600/Brown%20Creeper%20b57-13-077_l_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlb7oZt_zSn7XSB1sbxE6KELw0Gi-8iNAgDZGBUEbSNYUuJYcrliPPZ_kWEDAn_DwJJ30fhEzdd6CRc5DnfTa0YQIUjoJL3peAh9qjv3SKudtgLc1CCCa4u4hiC7dW0ndooyhJc0YLSw/s1600/Brown%20Creeper%20b57-13-077_l_1.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brown Creeper hitches itself up a tree,</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kVnin6hB_WSVXguRfd6TXCaUFg7sbyfPRsfqUC98EggsOEt-BQEQNlfnab9fIgq62MoDMwDVaF6vzYyzb0d2QCE1zjud1Dh6QuU2F1B0rO8diYXVv2KJBxfWVMEhx2TJhPDEzmJlna8/s1600/White-breasted%20Nuthatch%20w27-3-003_l_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kVnin6hB_WSVXguRfd6TXCaUFg7sbyfPRsfqUC98EggsOEt-BQEQNlfnab9fIgq62MoDMwDVaF6vzYyzb0d2QCE1zjud1Dh6QuU2F1B0rO8diYXVv2KJBxfWVMEhx2TJhPDEzmJlna8/s1600/White-breasted%20Nuthatch%20w27-3-003_l_1.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nuthatches</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">move down a tree,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOY9f90LgERxncNfZD2zijHRzURMGKytWoHbs0k3V9kSkbyllYa7HmYOwUorvOGq3tkeS3z2rEau8LEvhEx3o_8-NdQDsGbt5EdMXXuZKf3PFQpPOo0wKKoYvsyNJOZemiVpkGdMCNEE/s1600/IMG_9014+American+Dipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOY9f90LgERxncNfZD2zijHRzURMGKytWoHbs0k3V9kSkbyllYa7HmYOwUorvOGq3tkeS3z2rEau8LEvhEx3o_8-NdQDsGbt5EdMXXuZKf3PFQpPOo0wKKoYvsyNJOZemiVpkGdMCNEE/s1600/IMG_9014+American+Dipper.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">the American Dipper does somersaults in flowing water</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Use your bird book’s range maps – These maps show whether or not a bird
is located in a specific area. Maps may have 1-4 colors (winter is blue, yellow is migration, brown is summer and purple is year round). Range is very important part in identifying birds. Here are two warblers and their maps:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEZqGrTXPw8geUcKLL-dROUsjXwkjdxBV5R5eg17H8WJHA9FxtjRQXBeO3_pT6p4V_eLLFWYGZW7TRuRVKDZLbHjckP1c7NU8xfXixyQGXwvBrcJJzbSeHyfMZkBjyB9ZpbdmI7wypvA/s1600/cape_may_warbler_chris_wood_glamor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEZqGrTXPw8geUcKLL-dROUsjXwkjdxBV5R5eg17H8WJHA9FxtjRQXBeO3_pT6p4V_eLLFWYGZW7TRuRVKDZLbHjckP1c7NU8xfXixyQGXwvBrcJJzbSeHyfMZkBjyB9ZpbdmI7wypvA/s1600/cape_may_warbler_chris_wood_glamor.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape May Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqQw-CIKlQW6x91ZIHbiTNNPCAW_efGXKJ9sSrAPQMRkQbIVitY73fZ5L1su1Uty7Lw5ZcHWRlPjCYW3mWU4-A7x5ine1IcpnHdyqRl-dnIkew-poinCt76wweuq01nsLw-5eM_fWPVA/s1600/cape_may_warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqQw-CIKlQW6x91ZIHbiTNNPCAW_efGXKJ9sSrAPQMRkQbIVitY73fZ5L1su1Uty7Lw5ZcHWRlPjCYW3mWU4-A7x5ine1IcpnHdyqRl-dnIkew-poinCt76wweuq01nsLw-5eM_fWPVA/s1600/cape_may_warbler.jpg" height="200" width="142" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vV0_aKCR8wZfSqIWYq1_WMX0884CbNqaE6OejyWWST3CfcE59jw4qIUN0dtGYetLgmwoAmhCyIG5NTWEo_VFEh9kyAN1CAdTh1WcBWib0t4bt0_rpKalYTfv2j1qghyfALaAkNS-6MQ/s1600/magnolia_warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vV0_aKCR8wZfSqIWYq1_WMX0884CbNqaE6OejyWWST3CfcE59jw4qIUN0dtGYetLgmwoAmhCyIG5NTWEo_VFEh9kyAN1CAdTh1WcBWib0t4bt0_rpKalYTfv2j1qghyfALaAkNS-6MQ/s1600/magnolia_warbler.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnolia Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBwABcgPTawRUdSWRTkda4V2cp8L0vRY1L9eohlQtURWQvubeBrR8tHOLvl5N1oDxZeHUG-CIsLOanaA312d2GyKMEneBZI1QNaXYUlj2yj_GnxiiGd-p1qkFja9sMX-od1OB9Hd9z8k/s1600/magnolia_warbler+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBwABcgPTawRUdSWRTkda4V2cp8L0vRY1L9eohlQtURWQvubeBrR8tHOLvl5N1oDxZeHUG-CIsLOanaA312d2GyKMEneBZI1QNaXYUlj2yj_GnxiiGd-p1qkFja9sMX-od1OB9Hd9z8k/s1600/magnolia_warbler+(1).jpg" height="200" width="142" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not depend on color!! Birds have different plumages at different
stages of life, different times of the year and multiple birds have the same
color. Use color as your LAST RESORT. Here are two DIFFERENT birds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAQ_djHdS0TV5oe0AFQvWZ6s4SZGO6AeOR-vI-Oc9irTpRJUxOY6JYqLtB6Fd8iwoDl6hKCxyCkHC-5NJDNrMrTBP3n3WrOfUMN5hpSxGO0itm0qtvVRMPZs4XdARmb538Ks4CpR8eTI/s1600/house_finch_51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAQ_djHdS0TV5oe0AFQvWZ6s4SZGO6AeOR-vI-Oc9irTpRJUxOY6JYqLtB6Fd8iwoDl6hKCxyCkHC-5NJDNrMrTBP3n3WrOfUMN5hpSxGO0itm0qtvVRMPZs4XdARmb538Ks4CpR8eTI/s1600/house_finch_51.jpg" height="200" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male House Finch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbxOnqbV26SdGUD4DzUQ5_9SQ4nRE18V4qwm7czrP7pwFsvPIRoWnKvC0BhaGcNW_t9HuAVSsJYo3Ljs6OOFGJ_J2DOkjd9x8KroYgmGP_dGeX5igEZdRfmBZJzB7tc8xEZYFpSNLepU/s1600/purple_finch_sim_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbxOnqbV26SdGUD4DzUQ5_9SQ4nRE18V4qwm7czrP7pwFsvPIRoWnKvC0BhaGcNW_t9HuAVSsJYo3Ljs6OOFGJ_J2DOkjd9x8KroYgmGP_dGeX5igEZdRfmBZJzB7tc8xEZYFpSNLepU/s1600/purple_finch_sim_1.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Purple Finch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HonhKTnoSOD-KX8xsR2v3SRwdjiCv3123b1NMYKiRMnSApdUr2KudaNO7XkBg58Ta5U5_uUxEpbfRl5iSXV6FL63xBMtyS4Zi8abC1tKsakHw9EoHOi2OAwRXxkRpTi032aAndeNqeo/s1600/pine_siskin_sim_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HonhKTnoSOD-KX8xsR2v3SRwdjiCv3123b1NMYKiRMnSApdUr2KudaNO7XkBg58Ta5U5_uUxEpbfRl5iSXV6FL63xBMtyS4Zi8abC1tKsakHw9EoHOi2OAwRXxkRpTi032aAndeNqeo/s1600/pine_siskin_sim_3.jpg" height="167" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Pine Siskin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1hb9xwa-1U-F_pcTGHoqV9jevntpIpHu90dvDcFdb-WmCIuT3674694tOL1J-tkiRrwHFSxk5XQgdlr_BDXiUbQf_88D1NHx0o0Svme__1SvW9EEBWpSFatwW8RarBHKU2A7twfpgAs/s1600/house_finch_41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1hb9xwa-1U-F_pcTGHoqV9jevntpIpHu90dvDcFdb-WmCIuT3674694tOL1J-tkiRrwHFSxk5XQgdlr_BDXiUbQf_88D1NHx0o0Svme__1SvW9EEBWpSFatwW8RarBHKU2A7twfpgAs/s1600/house_finch_41.jpg" height="168" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female House Finch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Use a field guide – All the information you need about a particular
bird is in one place. You can use a hard copy or there are some new electronic
guides available for your iPhone or iPad. Field guides have the categories that
birds are in and they separate them by family. Juvenile and adult, male and
female photos in field guides are a tremendous help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and get a good set of binoculars. With a field guide and binos you are all ready to bird and start your life list!!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-36109670667300124682015-01-18T15:24:00.002-06:002015-01-18T15:26:13.192-06:00Witch's Broom<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My friend, Jean B., asked last fall if I was no longer writing my blog
and I said, “Oh, yes, I am still writing away.” Not! Truth is I have been so
very, very <s>busy</s> lazy. I was beginning to think last year no one was
reading my blog, commenting or didn't find it interesting so I just quit! So
there! But, just like a bad penny, I am back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5DXrnXP_IyAYqgzUM0OTobiQHSopfu2EVfxhNI8zE074ONLOJtH4ADeH8GwBT2VZ8kjvI-UJMysX5a_Th83HNtZ6BNvbSyu6KS8Odg0IqL-TKE0eiq-AWeqI26uyD3fgxISt12Ma6v8/s1600/2015-01-16+01.47.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5DXrnXP_IyAYqgzUM0OTobiQHSopfu2EVfxhNI8zE074ONLOJtH4ADeH8GwBT2VZ8kjvI-UJMysX5a_Th83HNtZ6BNvbSyu6KS8Odg0IqL-TKE0eiq-AWeqI26uyD3fgxISt12Ma6v8/s1600/2015-01-16+01.47.37.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever see one of these? </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRodPomtIJJA7aNGMjD6gbmYieT-tRqM0P6THD_rHtaVdIguw_v7LEFs8P5pp7LspljywHtm0Gpwo3-URI6Nrs_94nFOd-T3k621zEJ1gnnSVXc-7kekJ305Bk5PP89DTODTb5i49MmuI/s1600/2015-01-16+01.47.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRodPomtIJJA7aNGMjD6gbmYieT-tRqM0P6THD_rHtaVdIguw_v7LEFs8P5pp7LspljywHtm0Gpwo3-URI6Nrs_94nFOd-T3k621zEJ1gnnSVXc-7kekJ305Bk5PP89DTODTb5i49MmuI/s1600/2015-01-16+01.47.17.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Timberidge Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">This is a great example of a broom or witch’s
broom. </span><span style="background: white;">These are point mutations
that cause the formation of dense, dwarf growth and abnormal tree branching in
an otherwise normal tree or shrub.</span><span style="background: white;"> I have seen them here on our pine
trees. Brooms can be caused be a variety of factors including diseases, aphids,
environmental stress and random mutations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Horticulturists and plant
collectors utilize these mutations to create cultivars such as dwarf conifers
and weeping trees.</span><span style="background: white;"> The Japanese cultivate miniature Bonsai trees from these mutations.</span><span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white;">Because of this,
brooms are often a prized commodity and ‘brooming' or 'broom hunting’ is an
active past-time for some people. Folks that find their first brooms are
sometimes called ‘Baby broomers.’ Broom hunters are a focused lot
and have been known to screech to a halt on a major interstate in their
relentless pursuit of conifer conversation pieces. So keep an eye out for
brooms – and broom hunters!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">But more importantly, I think brooming teaches us to really look at nature. Sometimes we miss a lot. Looking down we miss what is up in the trees. Looking far away we miss what is right under foot. Sometimes we are so rushed we miss</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> the sweet smell of a
flower, a colorful bird, the community of plants, the diversity of seeds and seedlings. But with
a little practice, we can learn to notice. And we just might discover a new
plant right under our nose, (and a lot of other wonderful things as well).</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-19608652857371037412014-10-01T18:23:00.000-05:002014-10-01T18:25:25.926-05:00When Should I Take Down My Hummingbird Feeders?<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When
should I take my hummingbird feeders down? That question always pops up in the
early fall when ‘swarms’ of hummers are seen at feeders. And, my answer is
always that depends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rWNvSA9tW3vSkypBJ_hVq7zHNOtgeaODlbB3EL9sdrKsWo2Sy1IlEdpSA1fA9VJi_9agS62E9hD6g5nzUN3u113G9XE15mQhhAuYPgE_YQxljWvBhjDilxcyFQazauf2wOVlyymYqxA/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rWNvSA9tW3vSkypBJ_hVq7zHNOtgeaODlbB3EL9sdrKsWo2Sy1IlEdpSA1fA9VJi_9agS62E9hD6g5nzUN3u113G9XE15mQhhAuYPgE_YQxljWvBhjDilxcyFQazauf2wOVlyymYqxA/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" height="152" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hummingbirds
are migratory, tropical birds. As the ice sheets retreated during the last ice
age, hummingbirds expanded their ranges northward in search of food and nesting
places. Some of our songbirds adapted completely by becoming vegetarians in
winter and therefore do not migrate. Hummingbirds are carnivores (insect
eaters) and use nectar as fuel for their insect gathering activities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5lbLK8mkKgk0omUS08KOoQB0YmCr8fSJdm1n3qnBMmBFjXlW_fGM07cb9QhPHSsycl39fZeVdg7ZE9kM1wb8pfraqskAzd-Y3oYrWspkCpCZMdsYxQXu5GvXv5vMiylz3Xh2b1LNehU/s1600/ruby-throated_hummingbird_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5lbLK8mkKgk0omUS08KOoQB0YmCr8fSJdm1n3qnBMmBFjXlW_fGM07cb9QhPHSsycl39fZeVdg7ZE9kM1wb8pfraqskAzd-Y3oYrWspkCpCZMdsYxQXu5GvXv5vMiylz3Xh2b1LNehU/s1600/ruby-throated_hummingbird_lg.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the
abundance of insects and nectar </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">aren't</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the only things that affect the hummers
need to migrate. Generally hummingbirds migrate in response to hormonal changes
that are triggered by the length of daylight. And, when you think about it, the
length of daylight affects the blooms of plants and the abundance or lack
thereof of insects.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Nothing you do will force these little guys to fly south!</b> If you remove your feeder, birds will just feed elsewhere, but may not bother to return to your yard the next year. I recommend continuing to maintain feeders until freezing becomes a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By mid-September, essentially all of the Ruby-throated at our feeders are migrating through from farther <b>north </b>and are not the ones that we have seen at our feeders during the summer. That is why you see so many at feeders during the fall. And the number migrating south may be twice that of the northward trip, since it includes all immature birds that hatched during the summer, as well as surviving adults.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You've always heard that things are bigger in Texas. Well, if you want to see bigger in the hummingbird world, you must add to your bucket list the Hummingbird Festival in Rockport, TX. You can find information here: </span><a href="http://www.rockporthummingbird.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.rockporthummingbird.com/</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. This is the staging area where all hummers going south stop to ‘tank up’ on fuel in order to cross the gulf. It begins around the first weeks of September when northern and eastern hummers start showing up along the Texas Gulf Coast. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For several weeks hummers in hundreds of thousands congregate here and begin a feeding frenzy. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfk6OToGSUE7o2Z9TX4_9KQTvbzGLTEKV_ZAiSNBG6PvsZZUBg6yG3Wqkfh26gysk667jKk7U6AZXrC-BoZOTEYNUMuhsGnUXjK1h4b_19B43v8EJGJMy0hhgEqcjCiLQHkJhV_SVzOA/s1600/hummingbird-swarm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfk6OToGSUE7o2Z9TX4_9KQTvbzGLTEKV_ZAiSNBG6PvsZZUBg6yG3Wqkfh26gysk667jKk7U6AZXrC-BoZOTEYNUMuhsGnUXjK1h4b_19B43v8EJGJMy0hhgEqcjCiLQHkJhV_SVzOA/s1600/hummingbird-swarm.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToA4S8hNMvgrc8YVM0nkHcg8TyXb3hboJOyCz_8YzSycSxdIRAIMWSljOqCr2vYx2B8S4fxNb91r3yhIPNmCwR9FdwB-NuAPw2S8bt-QnanKevGPnQd7g2my9ECtHf4DTi0lxzwX8xiM/s1600/Fall_TX_ID1253229004_200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToA4S8hNMvgrc8YVM0nkHcg8TyXb3hboJOyCz_8YzSycSxdIRAIMWSljOqCr2vYx2B8S4fxNb91r3yhIPNmCwR9FdwB-NuAPw2S8bt-QnanKevGPnQd7g2my9ECtHf4DTi0lxzwX8xiM/s1600/Fall_TX_ID1253229004_200.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This area has good cover (live oak trees) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and a natural
population of Turk’s Cap.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nA_Oq-joOARj6sO-85Oj6UJ6UoL0NUvD8wCCy7LMZQ0hRKyfYHCv-aOluCFj4TbHDpHuwguu08QGnTa8J1FVr6R_ka5s6k7UfKSjRI811X3AqK9a0jYCDba_46EaWaSbYoyoRGFCr-4/s1600/live+oak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nA_Oq-joOARj6sO-85Oj6UJ6UoL0NUvD8wCCy7LMZQ0hRKyfYHCv-aOluCFj4TbHDpHuwguu08QGnTa8J1FVr6R_ka5s6k7UfKSjRI811X3AqK9a0jYCDba_46EaWaSbYoyoRGFCr-4/s1600/live+oak.jpg" height="144" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goose Island Oak, Rockport Texas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6aVOusJ-KVQqwlv8-DD89NH44vsfVSQ1vvURcG55Cs03uLkfcBqfbgRt2XVVAMjXgLdCa4Q9K77p0C_7WjjuCdhy51G2u7t-OZYUg8vliInLQP0EJlIoRA0iz03BjHZ8bTIdoY1JbNs/s1600/DSC_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6aVOusJ-KVQqwlv8-DD89NH44vsfVSQ1vvURcG55Cs03uLkfcBqfbgRt2XVVAMjXgLdCa4Q9K77p0C_7WjjuCdhy51G2u7t-OZYUg8vliInLQP0EJlIoRA0iz03BjHZ8bTIdoY1JbNs/s1600/DSC_0795.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Turk's Cap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So when do you take down your feeders? It depends. Rubicon Wild Bird store in Flint, TX south of Tyler had a Ruby-throated stay until January 2013 and then one until November 2013 and a Rufous as late as December 30, 2013. So keep those feeders up until you are absolutely sure there are no more hummers or better yet when temperatures reach freezing. And, remember NO RED FOOD COLORING!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><br /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-39560525942655004152014-08-06T19:41:00.002-05:002014-08-06T19:41:18.096-05:00WORMS, BAIT AND POOP<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNbCZo7QR0MKSZZA8VHYFsjSkGu9Mh8BXtaIx6-MzPOJzM8dJyKvCqu30M-LVc_sn6K-rKm7YZDS_KfPoovqnF-XijxZsjSKog07-K_1hWU_YCskRiZ7dagv6rTmHUn6h99SooW4G15Y/s1600/2014-06-10+03.53.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNbCZo7QR0MKSZZA8VHYFsjSkGu9Mh8BXtaIx6-MzPOJzM8dJyKvCqu30M-LVc_sn6K-rKm7YZDS_KfPoovqnF-XijxZsjSKog07-K_1hWU_YCskRiZ7dagv6rTmHUn6h99SooW4G15Y/s1600/2014-06-10+03.53.32.jpg" height="200" width="187" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I like Catalpa trees. . .probably
the only person that does. When we were kids, we used the pods for sword
fights; as an adult I love the orchid-like flower.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
I walk under a big Catalpa
every morning on my way to the garden or compost pile. Coming in to the house
one morning last week, I felt something on my back and after dancing around for
5 minutes discovered about 20 caterpillars on my back and in my hair. Yipes! I've got worms - Catalpa worms!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM284xlYP5G3zwC-pRlMfGXMM9dvj-f7I9YFYjjRbGL6rLi-YfqdLKpV5mrRK2UrgVwgWFqdvMj6t7qkv1x8PpKsR23AnQckBIjR5y4N3hQFQsqa0CyZ0VHwHjCpjRq9jIsNZ8oLE-6Ck/s1600/2014-08-02+22.59.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM284xlYP5G3zwC-pRlMfGXMM9dvj-f7I9YFYjjRbGL6rLi-YfqdLKpV5mrRK2UrgVwgWFqdvMj6t7qkv1x8PpKsR23AnQckBIjR5y4N3hQFQsqa0CyZ0VHwHjCpjRq9jIsNZ8oLE-6Ck/s1600/2014-08-02+22.59.46.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Catalpa caterpillar is the larva
form of the Hawk or Catalpa Sphinx moth (<i>Ceratomia
catalpa</i>), a gray nondescript moth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXGC-sniiI8DW7I16V6KOw3FYqm8C4tLGPIJLrS9ae7xYTc_IJwVqemV9kEw-27AEAw7VDHR5rp9sHTbFo-OocwAD5qVyTE2rMopAdin0jnZrD05J-qO1xR2CSZ5VjQr4hrhdThtgcvc/s1600/catalpaadult.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXGC-sniiI8DW7I16V6KOw3FYqm8C4tLGPIJLrS9ae7xYTc_IJwVqemV9kEw-27AEAw7VDHR5rp9sHTbFo-OocwAD5qVyTE2rMopAdin0jnZrD05J-qO1xR2CSZ5VjQr4hrhdThtgcvc/s1600/catalpaadult.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
What interests me is that the moth and
the tree have coexisted for thousands of years and depend on each other. The
tree is the only tree that the caterpillar eats. In fact the caterpillars can
completely defoliate a tree 3-4 times during a summer yet the tree survives and
<i>most</i> always come back looking
healthy. No other tree can withstand this devastation. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0fSUHgFFPQao2rIVHnP1LyP01sF7yBdxXhEt0nf73xFP7nNkIMfTKEc1-azb-Xfqqx3h-jU2fxQ47HifPlZ8fc6gdW_ck9QJVxRa4GH4aIadHQjjsdKqVjcSLHrNhPa5U5fTu49Ngts/s1600/2014-08-02+22.59.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0fSUHgFFPQao2rIVHnP1LyP01sF7yBdxXhEt0nf73xFP7nNkIMfTKEc1-azb-Xfqqx3h-jU2fxQ47HifPlZ8fc6gdW_ck9QJVxRa4GH4aIadHQjjsdKqVjcSLHrNhPa5U5fTu49Ngts/s1600/2014-08-02+22.59.12.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The catalpa sphinx overwinters
as a pupa in the soil under the tree on which it has eaten. In spring, pupae
work their way to the surface of the soil and moths begin to emerge shortly
after the Catalpa tree has leafed out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And, like anything else, someone has
found a way to make a buck selling the caterpillars. Fisherpersons (is that a
word?) sometimes propagate the trees just to harvest the caterpillars. They are
considered excellent catfish bait – the caterpillars not the fisherpersons. A caterpillar
can be divided into 3-4 pieces of bait and because of the caterpillar’s skin is
tough it isn't easily taken off the hook by the fish. The caterpillars can even
be frozen and thawed and used. . the catfish are none the wiser. Or, the caterpillar
can be “pickled” with corn syrup and stored in a jar in the refrigerator to be
used as bait. I even found a guy selling a special container in which to freeze
your caterpillars.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6vY61IoAXR8OfgH9NDfRtgp6Jkdp0ecxOwc1YyWwvteCqeb0q0Y43RdSdU7fFPXA6VFxUBShxsUvaviUWfd_gEmB1ITuvBPmVSobd_OTvfi4QOuU7dgynx7GGFrvFBn3sgXJfWhV8SE/s1600/Frozen+Frass+Force+-+Fass+included.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6vY61IoAXR8OfgH9NDfRtgp6Jkdp0ecxOwc1YyWwvteCqeb0q0Y43RdSdU7fFPXA6VFxUBShxsUvaviUWfd_gEmB1ITuvBPmVSobd_OTvfi4QOuU7dgynx7GGFrvFBn3sgXJfWhV8SE/s1600/Frozen+Frass+Force+-+Fass+included.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another positive is that the frass
(poop) fertilizes the tree and anything else under the tree. . .Yipes! I
probably had caterpillar poop in my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXD3hIrWBJG_Zxsz7s8ZtuGGOCpZuezCz5vluAFLY7rH1sqyXFNehG3I7D1oenrDy77dF0rJTM32DtSJpqj0Qzz3rlPSWcs92Jj-86b1V35OyTg_P1p71KRDo-MGWfJr0pnfbg-wHT_M/s1600/CaterpillarCatalpaFrass01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXD3hIrWBJG_Zxsz7s8ZtuGGOCpZuezCz5vluAFLY7rH1sqyXFNehG3I7D1oenrDy77dF0rJTM32DtSJpqj0Qzz3rlPSWcs92Jj-86b1V35OyTg_P1p71KRDo-MGWfJr0pnfbg-wHT_M/s1600/CaterpillarCatalpaFrass01.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-30800385999149974962014-07-10T22:15:00.002-05:002014-07-10T22:16:45.162-05:00It Is All About Attraction<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gardeners are delighted to see "nature" visiting their
gardens. If you want to invite more of these visitors to yours, try adding
their favorite plants. As with all beneficial species, it is best to choose
plants that are native or well adapted to our area.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Often gardeners lament for the lack of butterflies in their gardens. For butterflies, it is important to choose both larval host plants and
nectar plants. The larval host plant is the plant a species prefer to lay their
eggs on; the nectar plant is a food source. Most all species of butterflies
prefer native plants on which to lay their eggs. Try: </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBFi2TwL9B0tcXizSJZ6xxmwz2gvwsTaNLXd9JHyGpy6O9tGr-b2nrxIZfnihfzEhiHxbPVDkjHuTTbpnTdsHx8ceeW-nrZF2eZT-H2-u_jdWcndIrzSi86osYZtXtQRUJ3H_Ai-AKoQ/s1600/800px-Question_Mark_Polygonia_interrogationis_Wings_3008px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBFi2TwL9B0tcXizSJZ6xxmwz2gvwsTaNLXd9JHyGpy6O9tGr-b2nrxIZfnihfzEhiHxbPVDkjHuTTbpnTdsHx8ceeW-nrZF2eZT-H2-u_jdWcndIrzSi86osYZtXtQRUJ3H_Ai-AKoQ/s1600/800px-Question_Mark_Polygonia_interrogationis_Wings_3008px.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Question Mark</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b0pY4TASP5fMwfZy0ZItzKwuuuZctxknx99hlIzsObNTkkvhccQc8FeU8GzVpRI4pdu68qvdozP7_ZyYR-hOuuYKVWZCk0j0SjAaUrNeD09kZCKuDpaHVBalihhIfPacd2aJaRw2iFA/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b0pY4TASP5fMwfZy0ZItzKwuuuZctxknx99hlIzsObNTkkvhccQc8FeU8GzVpRI4pdu68qvdozP7_ZyYR-hOuuYKVWZCk0j0SjAaUrNeD09kZCKuDpaHVBalihhIfPacd2aJaRw2iFA/s1600/images+(1).jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Elm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2vB75SazxjMNLyXlhzzT-SyrWliFJrp3X-LWrvbB3Jwc5yxdi78xrGqHLbicWTB46ZtLGJhIbZfn2pDBfU7iZHzS7VUKRid_H98qfAz2HOK1E7_wurwL0OuFMDexUuEQUqi96D8_aT8/s1600/passaflora+incarnata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2vB75SazxjMNLyXlhzzT-SyrWliFJrp3X-LWrvbB3Jwc5yxdi78xrGqHLbicWTB46ZtLGJhIbZfn2pDBfU7iZHzS7VUKRid_H98qfAz2HOK1E7_wurwL0OuFMDexUuEQUqi96D8_aT8/s1600/passaflora+incarnata.jpg" height="173" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Purple Passionvine</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4vzLXqTaJOlVlia-vm1TRLKH7KQd8OGyyeGLLemYUs4I3tVbUKyaBVyAEipHs3ZtRGGSXclEzY9nE50mP5y3ycKGTbxArfQ2ZRMlhAPebVSojYcdqiNU0FmYlZpvcQ3tWibO7jBELbQ/s1600/gulf_fritillary01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4vzLXqTaJOlVlia-vm1TRLKH7KQd8OGyyeGLLemYUs4I3tVbUKyaBVyAEipHs3ZtRGGSXclEzY9nE50mP5y3ycKGTbxArfQ2ZRMlhAPebVSojYcdqiNU0FmYlZpvcQ3tWibO7jBELbQ/s1600/gulf_fritillary01.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gulf Fritillary</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WjRt8I3YiUj4ZVYIh36BXyZVecwV9DywKNJCsitE-6vXi-09lQLf3KoccinPVu35nTds3VQpLnbCRe8jSnNJTt-mg6mHClqfjTZArNCW5lFtZCQVkvehfQEiPQGLyVkxXTCLCTUKvIM/s1600/Asclepias_tuberosa_plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WjRt8I3YiUj4ZVYIh36BXyZVecwV9DywKNJCsitE-6vXi-09lQLf3KoccinPVu35nTds3VQpLnbCRe8jSnNJTt-mg6mHClqfjTZArNCW5lFtZCQVkvehfQEiPQGLyVkxXTCLCTUKvIM/s1600/Asclepias_tuberosa_plant.jpg" height="200" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Milkweed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoxcyzjX5QsyKI7ei9vKFrh_wpQSsHQM5oZrfCLVExWiZNYCQPHshSTBfxYQGcoGQn6kMYklrVe7iYFTCdgW2MG2dRuK9Zhf6SrPpFc-S9Xwb1_7TszdAW2fbV608I7PeRMstPC1MxCE/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoxcyzjX5QsyKI7ei9vKFrh_wpQSsHQM5oZrfCLVExWiZNYCQPHshSTBfxYQGcoGQn6kMYklrVe7iYFTCdgW2MG2dRuK9Zhf6SrPpFc-S9Xwb1_7TszdAW2fbV608I7PeRMstPC1MxCE/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monarch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For nectar, plant Coneflowers, Turk’s Cap and Lantana. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxFXsTlb9YYrCGq4tIB2aXsApjw4oehVR97X6aFt08rNyyUY2CWeKEQ1iNyitA3CZPUOsnInOxRXxWqoDKCY10EjBOKzl3OKCD-F1mKs2AS0jQ7-IUxrTPFHemc3pO9OJ-7MYd2L_eJc/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxFXsTlb9YYrCGq4tIB2aXsApjw4oehVR97X6aFt08rNyyUY2CWeKEQ1iNyitA3CZPUOsnInOxRXxWqoDKCY10EjBOKzl3OKCD-F1mKs2AS0jQ7-IUxrTPFHemc3pO9OJ-7MYd2L_eJc/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coneflower</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4MYmFKpQsc3DCzLvBpZ3HIcdDDNtGdwtFDmamKgTo7w2eukRTM-kIzoUw2iir37XUkcYOWapxzsgUTTY6js09G_Rf09KlAvvBC4z-rya_5xWNSa1_Yzy7LiWxE521Zf5RPSKV6oxv1E/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4MYmFKpQsc3DCzLvBpZ3HIcdDDNtGdwtFDmamKgTo7w2eukRTM-kIzoUw2iir37XUkcYOWapxzsgUTTY6js09G_Rf09KlAvvBC4z-rya_5xWNSa1_Yzy7LiWxE521Zf5RPSKV6oxv1E/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Red Turk's Cap</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6ofAV9BSgOLeVKa_dUDRYIxcQoY4KqAlw8jJlOg2NePGV85KQSItmCdovbO09nGndWJAh8ve2yc6RxFNpGoKnl3XHHA18g1i-jbeEAhBH_KyzCEnNxP2vML_u1yUy1eaT7_CKwWl5TQ/s1600/DSC_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6ofAV9BSgOLeVKa_dUDRYIxcQoY4KqAlw8jJlOg2NePGV85KQSItmCdovbO09nGndWJAh8ve2yc6RxFNpGoKnl3XHHA18g1i-jbeEAhBH_KyzCEnNxP2vML_u1yUy1eaT7_CKwWl5TQ/s1600/DSC_1068.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lantana</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_83rTb2dOqWZxsJtFIjwqsUaQvc1Gdu89R0nyGV5KGd__RDkhd-zQlV8KzQpxfjh4UYo-lT3dbJ5p66AYpCHJrh_EGrsmch6pvmt6BycsCjCkOd0r-aZPhSw-VJj7Szvz4HAgxVMnvRo/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_83rTb2dOqWZxsJtFIjwqsUaQvc1Gdu89R0nyGV5KGd__RDkhd-zQlV8KzQpxfjh4UYo-lT3dbJ5p66AYpCHJrh_EGrsmch6pvmt6BycsCjCkOd0r-aZPhSw-VJj7Szvz4HAgxVMnvRo/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lantana</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Native plants to our area that provide both a host and nectar source are Flame Acanthus and Mexican Plum.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpgk8NopJqHES1MAmyFvif9LBPNGKzhhjAcIAes7kacOPAgj86gIXjkt26980LtfQijtJZvGXyroOLrf_n3Bq-bBA5RYQ8TakgH09yAGnbQqStkwH16wEXJtE-AHUq18TrYv2t7kA8X4/s1600/628x471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpgk8NopJqHES1MAmyFvif9LBPNGKzhhjAcIAes7kacOPAgj86gIXjkt26980LtfQijtJZvGXyroOLrf_n3Bq-bBA5RYQ8TakgH09yAGnbQqStkwH16wEXJtE-AHUq18TrYv2t7kA8X4/s1600/628x471.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flame Acanthus (deer do not eat this plant)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTlYUWro8PkRb6VTGId8WaTf7UApKauQtwOlETgaQHp2xl8oqR4dV4XvH-07TsxIeLW0OV_SEvpkH6DErlFyTrx_SC2a4_In3pxx2t4GA-S11ZOJsqRI_mbHHy44x2wwU8nyhVLDMkuE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTlYUWro8PkRb6VTGId8WaTf7UApKauQtwOlETgaQHp2xl8oqR4dV4XvH-07TsxIeLW0OV_SEvpkH6DErlFyTrx_SC2a4_In3pxx2t4GA-S11ZOJsqRI_mbHHy44x2wwU8nyhVLDMkuE/s1600/images.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Mexican Plum - a good alternative to Bradford Pear</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The added bonus is that many plants, such as F</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lame Acanthus, Butterfly Weed and Lantana,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> that attract
butterflies also attract hummingbirds. A two-fer if you will.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other
perennials to try are Obedient Plant (it is not obedient as my friend, Cecil,
would say), Autumn Sage, Coral Honeysuckle and Red Yucca.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4c1clBWCCj_2OZSBGTO3ycjLZvYCWSIahAjagnof7xa_Ihjy2FuTPhbbyblZcKeX2A1Sbk73WMaZvp283s4pq9RKvQZ_e_RaMpIMk26uFokYVvkRU17FuQm-ppOxe6zR4tHHBaI-Zhs/s1600/Obedient+Plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4c1clBWCCj_2OZSBGTO3ycjLZvYCWSIahAjagnof7xa_Ihjy2FuTPhbbyblZcKeX2A1Sbk73WMaZvp283s4pq9RKvQZ_e_RaMpIMk26uFokYVvkRU17FuQm-ppOxe6zR4tHHBaI-Zhs/s1600/Obedient+Plant.jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obedient Plant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFCFUqsstNTmR6tfVzdX9goQ1h7GZynBwC9YoeS5i4Z0i36vsB4g_LgMzWQdPnUjU_o3Ib-lky_JpyBcJpwDvIHIxsr5-jrOaWIUMxKvt3A0cF2SywVrRJBwrKDiTNhiBQIDRB5AQZUY/s1600/DSC_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFCFUqsstNTmR6tfVzdX9goQ1h7GZynBwC9YoeS5i4Z0i36vsB4g_LgMzWQdPnUjU_o3Ib-lky_JpyBcJpwDvIHIxsr5-jrOaWIUMxKvt3A0cF2SywVrRJBwrKDiTNhiBQIDRB5AQZUY/s1600/DSC_0796.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Autumn Sage</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QVvReTTC4z7CSimblecGl9jAx1qVltkjLLQajTxqCrifJYaOtSaebbLcIMRhiY-EzR40p82_sg42sBO4xXw9RUCictL1eCR7TqYrbWnaQumTkw_HMaah98gPft1PTHuaWa_80gd-p0U/s1600/VanDenBurgh.07.Yucca_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QVvReTTC4z7CSimblecGl9jAx1qVltkjLLQajTxqCrifJYaOtSaebbLcIMRhiY-EzR40p82_sg42sBO4xXw9RUCictL1eCR7TqYrbWnaQumTkw_HMaah98gPft1PTHuaWa_80gd-p0U/s1600/VanDenBurgh.07.Yucca_.jpg" height="200" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Red Yucca</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_5-aFdTyMTdOS_LIY_t8KmjOeUgtkokKXAmQoG1Be6Gz1lpKxY4NtqNsjDYRgGxkcePcXZr4OAQnklEE1Bzz7rDIsZ9Hklx4qQ2bC_28reyPmFXaXQ2W6fcvG_NJmWqE1jNmKdMawRY/s1600/DSC_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_5-aFdTyMTdOS_LIY_t8KmjOeUgtkokKXAmQoG1Be6Gz1lpKxY4NtqNsjDYRgGxkcePcXZr4OAQnklEE1Bzz7rDIsZ9Hklx4qQ2bC_28reyPmFXaXQ2W6fcvG_NJmWqE1jNmKdMawRY/s1600/DSC_0944.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coral Honeysuckle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But why do butterflies and hummingbirds prefer native plants to other blooming non-natives? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Native plants are part of an ecosystem of other plants that support birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. These</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> plants and animals have lived together in communities for ages and they have adapted to live in balance. Native plants exist naturally in the area. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So think twice when making a purchase of a plant that naturally grows in another part of the world. Chances are the native critters of your backyard won't like it. Kinda like me and sushi.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Garden on!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-57425024963388426062014-05-29T20:39:00.001-05:002014-09-18T10:32:13.192-05:00NEVER PASS UP A GOOD SALE!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following is a true story
– only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. I swear it is true
on my mother’s grave (although my mother is still alive and kicking). The moral
to the story is be careful what you buy, where you buy it and check it when you
get home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjNTfJZM-EF9VI2LKKASWzmKHOpaZJNYZWGYH6Fwx-pL9wlvzomk0AOrv5yZ-UbNJNZaOAspPGYwz8cEYaGqWkNY4B5lismZDBE_OKFHO6IjksJYNBeqGE_J0yHXrzWIf3SO5YaN5kds/s1600/trinaforblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjNTfJZM-EF9VI2LKKASWzmKHOpaZJNYZWGYH6Fwx-pL9wlvzomk0AOrv5yZ-UbNJNZaOAspPGYwz8cEYaGqWkNY4B5lismZDBE_OKFHO6IjksJYNBeqGE_J0yHXrzWIf3SO5YaN5kds/s1600/trinaforblog.jpg" height="168" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sissy, my sister in Oklahoma, had seen a sale on potting soil at
a big chain drugstore, whose name begins with a “W”, that you find on most
every corner. She bought several bags of potting soil, threw them in her
“beemer’s” back seat and proceeded to continue her shopathon. Sissy is not
practicing to be a Recessionista. I digress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After buying groceries and
eating lunch at the local bistro, my sister drove back home. Upon arrival she
hauled the bags of potting soil from the back seat of her car, through the
garage to the back porch and began potting her Petunias, Pelargoniums and
Periwinkles. All seemed to be going well and she was making good time as she
shoveled out soil with her little garden trowel. Many pots later, she looked
into the plastic sack as she got another trowel-full of soil and lo and behold
there was the mother of all Copperhead
snakes (<i>Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix</i>).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xP1nZ61Z7XSkcUejKNR9rprwq3rseGchyphenhyphenSOvJqI5E39aqv36vSFfOHlur47SUB6GLgsLqh-GOPY6IhIfzaLDiBvujnOhY-bDKXBl-vh7UomLQXgTz6DuG5VW7uGaXNq2NA56-ahif_g/s1600/Broad+Band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xP1nZ61Z7XSkcUejKNR9rprwq3rseGchyphenhyphenSOvJqI5E39aqv36vSFfOHlur47SUB6GLgsLqh-GOPY6IhIfzaLDiBvujnOhY-bDKXBl-vh7UomLQXgTz6DuG5VW7uGaXNq2NA56-ahif_g/s1600/Broad+Band.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnOyFSIDMNyDfUK6aPu9Yps2L6Hn-vQ8MDOFOtS771diSAzyPl7tWRHu36cq_wbQaGe4vQet40_UOF_lTPI9a9E_NsMJIeV_9w2VE8ausA1oMaNjGqmAS-NENpiQbKzOttxU9gNcxpL4/s1600/immature+copperhead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnOyFSIDMNyDfUK6aPu9Yps2L6Hn-vQ8MDOFOtS771diSAzyPl7tWRHu36cq_wbQaGe4vQet40_UOF_lTPI9a9E_NsMJIeV_9w2VE8ausA1oMaNjGqmAS-NENpiQbKzOttxU9gNcxpL4/s1600/immature+copperhead.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Southern Copperhead reaches
an adult length of 24 to 26 inches. They have a pale brown to light tan body,
often with a pinkish tint. Their yellow eyes have elliptical or cat-like
pupils. Its body, covered with rough scales, is patterned with dark, hour
glass-shaped cross bands, wider at their base and narrow across the back.
Copperheads have heat-sensing "pits" located between the eyes and
nostrils, hence the name "pit viper". Familiarize yourself with this
snake because you do not want to get close enough to see these “pits.” The Copperhead is found in the eastern United States to the
central and southern states, and in the eastern third of Texas. Southern Copperheads
prefer places to hide that include leaf litter, logs and branches. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Copperhead’s diet consists of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">baby
cottontails, swamp rabbits, rats, mice, birds, snakes, lizards, baby turtles,
frogs, toads, and insects, especially grasshoppers and cicadas. So, there is
one positive of having this creature in your garden, maybe. They are preyed on
by other snakes and birds of prey. These snakes reach sexual maturity within
two to three years. Mating season is in the spring (February to early May),
shortly after leaving winter dens; and fall (August to October) with
fertilization delayed until following spring. Being a pit viper, Copperheads do
not lay eggs. Instead the eggs are kept inside the female's body until the eggs
are ready to "hatch." Incubation time is 105 to 110 days. The four to
eight young, 7 to 10 inches (17 to 25 cm) long, weigh less than an ounce (28 g)
at birth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB9QT5jUWExLGqqovAu13XIACS63DkGhziWJIyfRFqP38HA_Zwfj7MU6Nr_8b6N05yTqJt3iru479kAltg-UmmR7VAQpCG4zAZdef3obxDE5NZV7kRkHfUv6HPMWLIk35mip78dIQUu4/s1600/11_10_10_Copperhead001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB9QT5jUWExLGqqovAu13XIACS63DkGhziWJIyfRFqP38HA_Zwfj7MU6Nr_8b6N05yTqJt3iru479kAltg-UmmR7VAQpCG4zAZdef3obxDE5NZV7kRkHfUv6HPMWLIk35mip78dIQUu4/s1600/11_10_10_Copperhead001.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7ML4-Ow9yv1pc_Er3fToHG_Hg5pCQ7G6lqM75W7MSgaZkAeNS0VJjGPrhjyWlE5xO5yx6LQdblDrVQXn3tvmDomL86DpjiwVvsurLmcaXSF_QFFKxhX9pqAx67UPEfx6bR8K1Qy0jWg/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7ML4-Ow9yv1pc_Er3fToHG_Hg5pCQ7G6lqM75W7MSgaZkAeNS0VJjGPrhjyWlE5xO5yx6LQdblDrVQXn3tvmDomL86DpjiwVvsurLmcaXSF_QFFKxhX9pqAx67UPEfx6bR8K1Qy0jWg/s1600/images.jpg" height="129" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Although duller in color, they look much like adults with yellowish
tail-tips. Females provide
no parental care after birth (well duh!). One Copperhead was reported to have lived
23 years and 2 months in captivity, but in the wild, the average lifespan is
probably 6 to 8 years. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Southern Copperheads are active during daylight hours (diurnal) during early
spring and late fall, at which time they will generally depend on the ability
of their bodies to blend in with their environment to obtain prey and avoid
enemies. They are nocturnal during the summer heat, actively hunting for prey
during the cooler evening hours. Southern Copperheads often eat one single meal
every three weeks-even during their most active months. These snakes sometimes
nest with other snake species during hibernation. Lying motionless on a bed of dead leaves, this snake’s pale-brown and
chestnut-colored body is all but invisible. These are venomous snakes, but they
are slow-movers.</div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whether adult or juvenile, the
Copperhead’s bite is seldom fatal because of its short fangs (1.2 to 7.2 mm in
length) and the small amount of venom that is released. The venom's most
important function is to kill animals to be eaten. Defense is only a secondary
function. If bitten, you should seek medical attention. That being said, you
should take some safety precautions to
keep you from harm. Don’t put your hands or feet anywhere until you can see
exactly what is there. Never step over a log without first seeing what is on
the other side. If you must move a log, use a long stick or garden tool first creatures
have wonderful protective coloration. Use a flashlight when moving about at
night, even in your yard. Wear protective clothing if working in the woods or
around brush. Freeze when snakes are known to be nearby until you know where
they are. Allow the snake to retreat. If you must move, back slowly and
carefully away from the snake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW5s9MYNzkZ5xHK0x8eDNFO1RZBcS_-SsXJbYqWhYWmna7crZNku_sFCzKi-_lAsWCExjxEeYY6JoEF4kptjjP1ZEMg2mJ6HBX34AdQNO8tRtFxkUy5LONSJE6fQgaAXPNeyIPcBQd-Y/s1600/1950.2.15_1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW5s9MYNzkZ5xHK0x8eDNFO1RZBcS_-SsXJbYqWhYWmna7crZNku_sFCzKi-_lAsWCExjxEeYY6JoEF4kptjjP1ZEMg2mJ6HBX34AdQNO8tRtFxkUy5LONSJE6fQgaAXPNeyIPcBQd-Y/s1600/1950.2.15_1c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now the rest of the story. After much
screaming and running around, my sister summoned her 26 year-old son for help.
Now, Bubba doesn’t like to kill stuff so his idea of handling this calamity was
to take the potting soil to the backyard and turn the snake loose. I told her
she should have taken the bag with snake back to the drugstore and get her
money back. She was afraid to do that for fear they would charge her for the
snake. Did I ever tell you that I am the smart one in the family?</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-46561645773759483272014-05-22T13:48:00.002-05:002014-05-22T13:48:40.730-05:00A WEALTH OF INFORMATION<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought you might find some of the blogs that I follow interesting. I realize this is a long list but click through it . . . you might find some news you can use. There are blogs about wildlife, wildflowers, landscape design, gardening with deer, and such.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.gardenupgreen.com/">http://www.gardenupgreen.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://blackwalnutdispatch.com/">http://blackwalnutdispatch.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://montanawildlifegardener.blogspot.com/">http://montanawildlifegardener.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nativebackyard.com/">http://www.nativebackyard.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.potagerblog.com/">http://www.potagerblog.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://reddirtramblings.com/">http://reddirtramblings.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/">http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://shovelreadygarden.blogspot.com/">http://shovelreadygarden.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/">http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sherylsmithrodgers.blogspot.com/">http://sherylsmithrodgers.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://aneyefortexas.wordpress.com/">http://aneyefortexas.wordpress.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://rebeccasretreat.blogspot.com/">http://rebeccasretreat.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://dreamingofroses.blogspot.com/">http://dreamingofroses.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.foragingtexas.com/">http://www.foragingtexas.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://patchworkgarden.blogspot.com/">http://patchworkgarden.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thelazyshadygardener.blogspot.com/">http://thelazyshadygardener.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://the-grackle.blogspot.com/">http://the-grackle.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://vivaidea.net/vivaverde/2014/05/15/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2014/">http://vivaidea.net/vivaverde/2014/05/15/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2014/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thewhimsicalgardener.com/">http://www.thewhimsicalgardener.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Garden on!</span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px !important;" /></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><br /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-13770727145955000212014-05-19T17:08:00.007-05:002014-05-19T17:08:53.931-05:00It's Luna!<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">I love late spring. It seems that the earth has
awakened from a long slumber and new life begins to appear. Baby birds are
being taught to fly. The bullfrog in the pond is calling for a mate until 2:00
a.m. And, the graceful Luna Moth clings to the kitchen window by the porch
light.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">The Luna moth (<i>Actias luna),</i> or moon moth, is one of the giant silk moths. Their pale green color and swallowtail-shaped wings, with eye spots, are unique and beautiful. Enjoy each on as they appear because the adults only live about 10 days. Having no mouth parts, they do not eat and must survive on stored energy reserves. Their sole job is to mate. The moths only fly at night and are attracted to large lights.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuSsyqH4PO-o83_EU6aYDc32E-wA05NBE4HqIuc5nJPfZmgXocXwboGAR_7UAjMplso5EkAthWoF6eG9OvVIoTzpNaXUCa1HmQhN7W4766OTZShF2585dP8VrG1TU9wVLO3e3tYvf4Mc/s1600/DSCN5793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuSsyqH4PO-o83_EU6aYDc32E-wA05NBE4HqIuc5nJPfZmgXocXwboGAR_7UAjMplso5EkAthWoF6eG9OvVIoTzpNaXUCa1HmQhN7W4766OTZShF2585dP8VrG1TU9wVLO3e3tYvf4Mc/s1600/DSCN5793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuSsyqH4PO-o83_EU6aYDc32E-wA05NBE4HqIuc5nJPfZmgXocXwboGAR_7UAjMplso5EkAthWoF6eG9OvVIoTzpNaXUCa1HmQhN7W4766OTZShF2585dP8VrG1TU9wVLO3e3tYvf4Mc/s1600/DSCN5793.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luna moth females lay their eggs on several different
kinds of tree leaves including our native Walnut, Sweetgum, Hickory, Persimmon
and the flower moonflower. A healthy female can lay 100 – 300 eggs which she divides into
small batches of 3 – 12 eggs per leaf.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After hatching, the caterpillars wander around
before finally finding a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">particular plant to eat. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The caterpillars, which are eating machines, go through five
instars (a developmental stage of molting), and shed their skin as it gets too
tight. When their skin is pinkish and tight, they are mature. At this time, they do something quite unique. They have a ‘gut dump’ where they get rid of
fluid, food and feces and begin spinning a cocoon. Using their silk, which is
very strong, they wrap leaves around themselves before entering the pupa stage.
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pupa in the cocoon is very active.
When disturbed, it will wiggle inside the cocoon and emit a noise.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The moth will emerge in two
weeks.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoZmNTDHMnnitRweGBMf9W0SeFYPOXoCQc3S-iDvIR6L3LCJ8GKGfGtDvmbbCsyjFkwU2JaHjQIZPSf2Na_yT4N-fubwM1gbjfs4Lns2hHCHktPfrjzYqDt1jzdSMid2h9nI6VYhgIEE/s1600/17aa87801175049782b1fe7224b75975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoZmNTDHMnnitRweGBMf9W0SeFYPOXoCQc3S-iDvIR6L3LCJ8GKGfGtDvmbbCsyjFkwU2JaHjQIZPSf2Na_yT4N-fubwM1gbjfs4Lns2hHCHktPfrjzYqDt1jzdSMid2h9nI6VYhgIEE/s1600/17aa87801175049782b1fe7224b75975.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOMsLmZJ0wzTsBIgPuPtlKMf6jK9boTSXkhnqrKyUhk2GS871Bb95t7nc1LDJAJerY5-KVoZHl7y5yuRhJVgPAI5sa95iAZt2dUgqvMkwzHsxixcX_tsbrVhv3FmfpXL4DICsW-pT9Xg/s1600/bf4f4eebc1e67e4f3c334bb96287670e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOMsLmZJ0wzTsBIgPuPtlKMf6jK9boTSXkhnqrKyUhk2GS871Bb95t7nc1LDJAJerY5-KVoZHl7y5yuRhJVgPAI5sa95iAZt2dUgqvMkwzHsxixcX_tsbrVhv3FmfpXL4DICsW-pT9Xg/s1600/bf4f4eebc1e67e4f3c334bb96287670e.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqOkuQbkYdiwLl-wYMB7mRs5gKnEYjDT5HO78ez8EkUIIKLi-R6iB_LySbzVw_xXYHFfqa-qE2TyfSGUXHZZ9ZCiGeakf3oeejKbNLmbzGkTs_mfG8B-qa3bFfGWKn-ObK1HIoAkXiZ0/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When they emerge, their wings are very small and they must enlarge them by pumping bodily fluids through them. During this time, their wings will be soft and they must climb somewhere safe to wait for their wings to harden before they can fly away. This process takes about 2 hours to complete. The Luna Moth typically has a wingspan of 3 to 4.5 inches.</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqOkuQbkYdiwLl-wYMB7mRs5gKnEYjDT5HO78ez8EkUIIKLi-R6iB_LySbzVw_xXYHFfqa-qE2TyfSGUXHZZ9ZCiGeakf3oeejKbNLmbzGkTs_mfG8B-qa3bFfGWKn-ObK1HIoAkXiZ0/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqOkuQbkYdiwLl-wYMB7mRs5gKnEYjDT5HO78ez8EkUIIKLi-R6iB_LySbzVw_xXYHFfqa-qE2TyfSGUXHZZ9ZCiGeakf3oeejKbNLmbzGkTs_mfG8B-qa3bFfGWKn-ObK1HIoAkXiZ0/s1600/images.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXXqkUiUG-Tva4salTYZY8-Qp0hno-ro2qlHpFY4sqCr7h8Y-pBsStTPH8fld0XV4n-tRbzysiop3TS5R5U6eIMDRODO8n9AaKwlx2HmQ0pcBGhWnT3pFgW-1Q6xoYTse815aOrp5PyI/s1600/DSC_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXXqkUiUG-Tva4salTYZY8-Qp0hno-ro2qlHpFY4sqCr7h8Y-pBsStTPH8fld0XV4n-tRbzysiop3TS5R5U6eIMDRODO8n9AaKwlx2HmQ0pcBGhWnT3pFgW-1Q6xoYTse815aOrp5PyI/s1600/DSC_0962.JPG" height="291" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">Luna moths are considered common but due to their short life
spans are rarely seen. Enjoy them while you can!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Moths, and all sorts of ugly creatures," replied Estella, with a glance towards him, "hover about a lighted candle. Can the candle help it?” </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/239579.Charles_Dickens" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Charles Dickens</a></span></div>
</span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px !important;" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-9EIB7BMuZNk%2FU3lsh5T4OhI%2FAAAAAAAABp4%2FZEnv1rdilOY%2Fs1600%2Fimages.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqOkuQbkYdiwLl-wYMB7mRs5gKnEYjDT5HO78ez8EkUIIKLi-R6iB_LySbzVw_xXYHFfqa-qE2TyfSGUXHZZ9ZCiGeakf3oeejKbNLmbzGkTs_mfG8B-qa3bFfGWKn-ObK1HIoAkXiZ0/s1600/images.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-r0zSbArAiYs%2FU3lk-jxueoI%2FAAAAAAAABo8%2F0YqcVRcaaXc%2Fs1600%2FDSCN5793.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuSsyqH4PO-o83_EU6aYDc32E-wA05NBE4HqIuc5nJPfZmgXocXwboGAR_7UAjMplso5EkAthWoF6eG9OvVIoTzpNaXUCa1HmQhN7W4766OTZShF2585dP8VrG1TU9wVLO3e3tYvf4Mc/s1600/DSCN5793.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-NfTu1XQ7RWw%2FU3lrEDVIlzI%2FAAAAAAAABpk%2FM39dojjcxvk%2Fs1600%2F17aa87801175049782b1fe7224b75975.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoZmNTDHMnnitRweGBMf9W0SeFYPOXoCQc3S-iDvIR6L3LCJ8GKGfGtDvmbbCsyjFkwU2JaHjQIZPSf2Na_yT4N-fubwM1gbjfs4Lns2hHCHktPfrjzYqDt1jzdSMid2h9nI6VYhgIEE/s1600/17aa87801175049782b1fe7224b75975.jpg" -->Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-40504448903887569782014-02-23T21:11:00.000-06:002014-02-23T21:11:51.646-06:00Thieves Among Us<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many folks where I live count birding as a hobby and spend
more than a couple of bucks over the course of the winter feeding these lovely
winged creatures. But, when you feed the birds you get squirrels. People have
been rigging up all sorts of contraptions of wire, filament, metal baffles, whirligigs,
and so on just to thwart those seed-stealing busy tails. Now, I like squirrels
but I draw the line when they empty a recently filled bird feeder within 30
minutes.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7SGiEIjsq20VGmevjKQ0ergjPLn4NhqrpOd1Z-SNL9aB2_fomSSr7aB93mjcBS3N-lLQEGw95nruck9rlmjGnmtReqUTi_vK9brvQaMfurlkiB_qqYmRH00D0aFiCAoGbYyS_hsJDfM/s1600/squirrel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7SGiEIjsq20VGmevjKQ0ergjPLn4NhqrpOd1Z-SNL9aB2_fomSSr7aB93mjcBS3N-lLQEGw95nruck9rlmjGnmtReqUTi_vK9brvQaMfurlkiB_qqYmRH00D0aFiCAoGbYyS_hsJDfM/s1600/squirrel1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I recently read an article that stated there is no feeder
that a squirrel cannot get into. There are, however, squirrel resistant
feeders. Reminds me of deer resistant plants – NOT!</div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAO6Ej3dfkvfyVK403-VIDNgA59sKQS-kntF0vhIoTz2VfrPJFWg12X5RYc1Aw_9HoPs_jPqgK3C327zeKyeW4K81A57Yz6_oTvfgAS2RcDqgX9s-Xe0C1MgEfHhM_2oK_deQ9G9PYY4/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAO6Ej3dfkvfyVK403-VIDNgA59sKQS-kntF0vhIoTz2VfrPJFWg12X5RYc1Aw_9HoPs_jPqgK3C327zeKyeW4K81A57Yz6_oTvfgAS2RcDqgX9s-Xe0C1MgEfHhM_2oK_deQ9G9PYY4/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8rOcC5RVxBr8GJcBUOhsWkUsDDqg0IZGn0OrmVxy64iKF5mJ0PQYj18uV66MQR2cUPjywRItbwaPCKMiIjPJ7Ept7kwupDUowZJm6wkTXyT9JQZUUP-FEro2DS_9IKad1CiUw7d1pB8/s1600/images+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8rOcC5RVxBr8GJcBUOhsWkUsDDqg0IZGn0OrmVxy64iKF5mJ0PQYj18uV66MQR2cUPjywRItbwaPCKMiIjPJ7Ept7kwupDUowZJm6wkTXyT9JQZUUP-FEro2DS_9IKad1CiUw7d1pB8/s1600/images+(4).jpg" /></a> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Texas is home to the fox,
gray, flying and rock squirrels. Ninety percent of the squirrels in east Texas
are the gray squirrel (or as they are called in east Texas – limb chickens).
Squirrels are very social creatures and have the ability to share knowledge
among each other. Imagine if you will, the squirrels discussing who has the
best seed and easiest feeder to break into. Baby squirrels learn how to get
seed out of a feeder by observing its mother or grandmother.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Squirrels are agile creatures and can rotate their hind feet
180 degrees when descending a tree. With large eyes set on the sides of its
head, the squirrel can see all around with little movement of its head. It can
see above and below, an adaptation well suited for life in the trees where
danger can come from the ground, through the air, or along a nearby limb.
Squirrels also have a yellow filter in their eye lenses to help reduce glare
and enhance contrast in low-light conditions to improve vision – like night
vision glasses so they can find the seed!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two to four helpless young are born six or seven weeks after
breeding takes place. They are blind and nearly naked and develop slowly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFCjpHj-eVodpK4uI2nBJkBRPFUQDiPHfIaejkZ2uOUYBkRgeYeeP9zBXcWqCvfSTmfgyQyjsDEb5_VfuksrAFG0btsxq4zU-DWszxOlF68mA3lxaODVo2g2nNn60sOh8FtuEWMz0dBU/s1600/150866_1690718026353_5211699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFCjpHj-eVodpK4uI2nBJkBRPFUQDiPHfIaejkZ2uOUYBkRgeYeeP9zBXcWqCvfSTmfgyQyjsDEb5_VfuksrAFG0btsxq4zU-DWszxOlF68mA3lxaODVo2g2nNn60sOh8FtuEWMz0dBU/s1600/150866_1690718026353_5211699_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Becky Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Their
eyes open at five weeks, but they do not climb out of the nest for at least
seven or eight weeks. They do not get out of their nest tree until they are
about ten weeks old. By the time they are three months old, they can fend for
themselves. At ten or eleven months they reach sexual maturity, and the <b>cycle can begin again</b>.</div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of all of the squirrel-deterrent devices out there, the best
is probably the cylinder baffle. It should be 6” in diameter, 18” in length and
at least 5’ off the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvldaJnl9OLgQmxrBByMNkNT1EwCJkDHWWc-88y77DRQhazOfuQo_ORLQfi1ZjF5a5W2F_4tnjZnT5BOJPcXufuHEVLGN9Aec_YZDBpJ8O31RL1SeRAyfKe7GkbEASV8E5blBGcQv4ac/s1600/baffle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvldaJnl9OLgQmxrBByMNkNT1EwCJkDHWWc-88y77DRQhazOfuQo_ORLQfi1ZjF5a5W2F_4tnjZnT5BOJPcXufuHEVLGN9Aec_YZDBpJ8O31RL1SeRAyfKe7GkbEASV8E5blBGcQv4ac/s1600/baffle.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baffle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Umbrella or tilting baffles placed above the feeder
are good too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvgTQtjkflTsJHYN6bFDwdd31ta3RT8CWTrT2Mp2vAlCbNTZUOvW4zkUxEUCMtRN8X09EIzitngkbqLt0oGZlQvMdgg1UkZSVWAS4BXLvX1B9qfPk3gdPUhonsPdSvjGk1335aBTCoXA/s1600/top+baffle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvgTQtjkflTsJHYN6bFDwdd31ta3RT8CWTrT2Mp2vAlCbNTZUOvW4zkUxEUCMtRN8X09EIzitngkbqLt0oGZlQvMdgg1UkZSVWAS4BXLvX1B9qfPk3gdPUhonsPdSvjGk1335aBTCoXA/s1600/top+baffle.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbrella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weight activated feeders are supposed to be good but my squirrels have found they can
lay on top of the feeder and still get to the seed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro-qOdgmikdJhIOyAqfQRDETCRBKnmLk1i8YwidS9iMD6iYq1ObGPr3S8Dh2Hl8pmS52kY9pjrJZI1ZHapcQi97cufLwHdMzQvBQjVPbbzh0BtkTQMsWlcVzkxsDIwUlg1qFrqyTk8l0/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro-qOdgmikdJhIOyAqfQRDETCRBKnmLk1i8YwidS9iMD6iYq1ObGPr3S8Dh2Hl8pmS52kY9pjrJZI1ZHapcQi97cufLwHdMzQvBQjVPbbzh0BtkTQMsWlcVzkxsDIwUlg1qFrqyTk8l0/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cayenne pepper added to
seed works until the squirrels build up a tolerance to it and it has no effect
on birds. Word to the wise, don’t add the pepper to your seed outside on a
windy day – just sayin.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have tried many of the remedies listed above to no avail.
I guess I will just sit on the porch in my rocker with a cup of coffee and
spend my time seeing how those little boogers get into the feeders. Kind of
comical if you ask me.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvcR8Mua2PAtsaTjJKXkbzUDa4TTffhvI8k03pIhOuu9755xW2rlnq6I8mIhuG3-bqMkIj7sGtPYPXVNcLWbSsgZHQl9Bq1j8alc4lpYmWqfoBhJpj8syrFZnk1-NYmn6n-O552g7oWQ/s1600/round+squirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvcR8Mua2PAtsaTjJKXkbzUDa4TTffhvI8k03pIhOuu9755xW2rlnq6I8mIhuG3-bqMkIj7sGtPYPXVNcLWbSsgZHQl9Bq1j8alc4lpYmWqfoBhJpj8syrFZnk1-NYmn6n-O552g7oWQ/s1600/round+squirrel.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It could be worse, I guess. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp14DlMMk2wS8NC2TtbeC-muSsCuKM7mPARpFMPBlPrKfpnZjHZf7r7XftAHngcr5y5DWFBHtso03GOqstHm50lfjUZ1-PlB0dCAlJDl03k_mabR2LhqpwaaLe30kTOSZLD1OG4Drw75c/s1600/images+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp14DlMMk2wS8NC2TtbeC-muSsCuKM7mPARpFMPBlPrKfpnZjHZf7r7XftAHngcr5y5DWFBHtso03GOqstHm50lfjUZ1-PlB0dCAlJDl03k_mabR2LhqpwaaLe30kTOSZLD1OG4Drw75c/s1600/images+(2).jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-36118699838210057262014-01-21T18:24:00.001-06:002014-01-21T18:24:06.693-06:00The Cedar Waxwings Are Here!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have you had a day like I have? The anticipation and excitement
of the holidays are over. Family is gone and house is put back together. So,
you relax with a cup of tea to look outside at the brown leaves, brown grass,
brown trees when all of a sudden a dash of color catches your eye? Mother
Nature has teased us with a succession of color with the Cardinal and Bluejay,
then Pine Warbler and Goldfinch and now she treats us with the Cedar Waxwing! Enjoy
these sleek, tuxedoed, black-masked birds while you can because when their food
source is gone so are they. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbvrzxkTa4sZ7NTw0Wl8ks5cGpCpcrUejl0kLot8KAj8Yilqga5Xi5PEQUkKgYzqelumVDSGEQ6g7l64RkwMcr4bxSJiGbW03szZhaQPT1SY8ecRk953fZZJEJB_UYNbbcWlGCKRurt4/s1600/3d303f1db597bcf0e39a7f58bf8cd4ec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbvrzxkTa4sZ7NTw0Wl8ks5cGpCpcrUejl0kLot8KAj8Yilqga5Xi5PEQUkKgYzqelumVDSGEQ6g7l64RkwMcr4bxSJiGbW03szZhaQPT1SY8ecRk953fZZJEJB_UYNbbcWlGCKRurt4/s1600/3d303f1db597bcf0e39a7f58bf8cd4ec.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Cedar Waxwing is a medium-sized, sleek bird with a large
head, short neck, and short, wide bill. They are pale brown, gray or olive on
the head and chest with the color fading to soft gray on the wings. They sport a
belly of pale yellow, a bright yellow tip on the tail and have a crest that
often lies flat and droops over the back of the head. Their face has a narrow
black mask outlined in white. The wings, with brilliant-red wax-like droplets
on the feathers (hence their name), are broad and pointed. The square-tipped tail
is fairly short and rufous underneath. Waxwings in the Northeast United will
have an orange tip on their tails, caused by eating the berries of Morrow’s
honeysuckle. I suppose this is much like feeding your baby too much carrot and
sweet potato baby food and its nose turns orange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most often you hear these birds before you see them. When you
hear their high-pitched “sreeeeee “whistle,
look up and you will see a huge flock flying at break-neck speed stopping short
of crashing head on into a tree. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AFZt-YgHwXs2whyQyLvqrCLt1SVwA3cxfzIlHOIddiQP_dZzcbBHLFvyewXhkJeTaaPve1BZHDPRhOCQ-EREuUyhiG6FcDJB3v5ncSMoKo8SXdqxuHV3el9djQPhTNJl3kWeNSdxziI/s1600/2bc878805d9d675f9d602a5ce833b6f4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AFZt-YgHwXs2whyQyLvqrCLt1SVwA3cxfzIlHOIddiQP_dZzcbBHLFvyewXhkJeTaaPve1BZHDPRhOCQ-EREuUyhiG6FcDJB3v5ncSMoKo8SXdqxuHV3el9djQPhTNJl3kWeNSdxziI/s1600/2bc878805d9d675f9d602a5ce833b6f4.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In winter these birds flock together
to come and eat berries. They are mostly frugivorous (fruit eater). If you have
Dogwood, Cedar, Juniper, Holly, Cherry Laurel or Privet, you will have Cedar
Waxwings. They will also eat early spring buds of the maples and elms. When
they have eaten all the berries, they move on. At this point you will remember
you have left your white car parked outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcr6sf-KCnduFKWOQvikgMMn4pEK7yCOvGlOGsWm0g1WXAVZpECF9L9uEfvZyvtUpN7h06w3EQa7MWfVZzpo83ntTrYHmNwV1n-HXg3dbGlntU1i5RFt4ZAyNCxqAlIDqR4NV7SuPUGY/s1600/waxwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcr6sf-KCnduFKWOQvikgMMn4pEK7yCOvGlOGsWm0g1WXAVZpECF9L9uEfvZyvtUpN7h06w3EQa7MWfVZzpo83ntTrYHmNwV1n-HXg3dbGlntU1i5RFt4ZAyNCxqAlIDqR4NV7SuPUGY/s1600/waxwing.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Often <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9118804456293768723"></a>Cedar
Waxwings pass berries to one another as they perch in a line on a tree branch.
Occasionally a waxwing will become drunk from eating fermented berries. These
birds also groom each other. Mating season begins in late spring and runs
through late summer. The male courts a female by doing a hopping dance and
passing berries or pieces of fruit to the female. If the female is interested,
she will do a hopping dance and pass the fruit or berry back to the male! The
pair may do this a number of times in a row!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sounds like some folks I know who think they can dance after having several drinks!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgBeF-LRhVMN8qmbJV3z7UwhqGa6xybZHKIJLW-Ek1-TDuUi-oRPvY5DQ8U6N91UsVAw6FVazCO0RBNdOdIFWlb4nw_1gYVUJyDPbGyoPtD1wMbrxD1kVE24-9nIJBiQ-pJvvscw80kyBN9wYaC_VuwgVkiKkI7TJfUojwIuaz_EhZk3uhxYfd0zmKLO76uTXA_0cHl=" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/385/A6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsignatures.mylivesignature.com%2F54491%2F385%2FA6CA77C1F9914B6724AEDBA2CA261AAD.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgBeF-LRhVMN8qmbJV3z7UwhqGa6xybZHKIJLW-Ek1-TDuUi-oRPvY5DQ8U6N91UsVAw6FVazCO0RBNdOdIFWlb4nw_1gYVUJyDPbGyoPtD1wMbrxD1kVE24-9nIJBiQ-pJvvscw80kyBN9wYaC_VuwgVkiKkI7TJfUojwIuaz_EhZk3uhxYfd0zmKLO76uTXA_0cHl=" -->Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9118804456293768723.post-21870140592262609232014-01-16T17:39:00.000-06:002014-01-16T17:41:33.846-06:00HYMN OF PROMISE<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the bulb there is a flower;</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4CzuMcMzQb5JmguPSKYX46VMbo6WXanrHoLTv_rMCjP7iTUYz3AkkCdrgo5Ouq1TJlIrUGfxSFGDMrENn34Erf7tC0IKZ1E2pGH_MUEe4P7EgdjGDS8vOrrEv6s2d0xZbtXd0WIdw6M/s1600/bulbs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4CzuMcMzQb5JmguPSKYX46VMbo6WXanrHoLTv_rMCjP7iTUYz3AkkCdrgo5Ouq1TJlIrUGfxSFGDMrENn34Erf7tC0IKZ1E2pGH_MUEe4P7EgdjGDS8vOrrEv6s2d0xZbtXd0WIdw6M/s1600/bulbs2.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp0Th5LZ1ycjENwxKDWC0w-NVsrIKVVRVB34DsAX9GO-P9Y4L20ircvkLJ5pjXlrYMamv3hTDzlxIoW6XZgWP92wFBxLgYUEZLKwe9F7A9rqutuCUFScTTJiqO2K3c-uBNrZ_t7xisI4/s1600/DSCN1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp0Th5LZ1ycjENwxKDWC0w-NVsrIKVVRVB34DsAX9GO-P9Y4L20ircvkLJ5pjXlrYMamv3hTDzlxIoW6XZgWP92wFBxLgYUEZLKwe9F7A9rqutuCUFScTTJiqO2K3c-uBNrZ_t7xisI4/s1600/DSCN1396.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the seed, an apple tree;</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK9fzcFZeAS4oE3UPtJZ1EaH6fyyKFmKQlH19Q9mHsovkvAxGf1NUiV5aUuWRVQyZ50_-mmE2Hg22HnG3WyceOGYdhIi5Jex533y_ynQQdGAdMXEcaSumcr9GqooH84rFfAnW42ghBlc/s1600/2014-01-16+03.54.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK9fzcFZeAS4oE3UPtJZ1EaH6fyyKFmKQlH19Q9mHsovkvAxGf1NUiV5aUuWRVQyZ50_-mmE2Hg22HnG3WyceOGYdhIi5Jex533y_ynQQdGAdMXEcaSumcr9GqooH84rFfAnW42ghBlc/s1600/2014-01-16+03.54.27.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAxUA-CEGt53CR84NGoK-2Pe5cnYdl099hjTfw2JbvSObdSMjslqxysQj_HPdKfRGh8YhqOdcUW7kxzWhaXOxNwZ5Rz55ecX6g93ifGPBRyhnwMcF13LZ0AQSiwKPnWjvEny_OYXZx-k/s1600/a97311e7b00d1fc422468dca489fe941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAxUA-CEGt53CR84NGoK-2Pe5cnYdl099hjTfw2JbvSObdSMjslqxysQj_HPdKfRGh8YhqOdcUW7kxzWhaXOxNwZ5Rz55ecX6g93ifGPBRyhnwMcF13LZ0AQSiwKPnWjvEny_OYXZx-k/s1600/a97311e7b00d1fc422468dca489fe941.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUarzahBntVIb6KDCGLC0DryVNlWEjT_8CWFC0Bq6BR8cZID43KUG6Ky3xT6WZUFIFbvm54SQ4v31ma4f5M8txhNACUiW1uAUu9YVokBNfji7-cAltdhRCoVl27c8tlinCC9emq02Bzl8/s1600/Hatching+of+Gulf+Fritillary.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUarzahBntVIb6KDCGLC0DryVNlWEjT_8CWFC0Bq6BR8cZID43KUG6Ky3xT6WZUFIFbvm54SQ4v31ma4f5M8txhNACUiW1uAUu9YVokBNfji7-cAltdhRCoVl27c8tlinCC9emq02Bzl8/s200/Hatching+of+Gulf+Fritillary.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the cold and snow of winter, t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here’s a spring that waits to be,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq8f3S8iebAR5PMXzR0fgdRXPIvtBZMNPVCCeCdx1BizegJxCOj8yvRA7eWOnC_92Qhu2aRmb5cHpd6-WpplFJfbTvca01A42uKr5-tKnA15x5EK6jtSD_pE1jWYbSoJR_vuJPnZBxw4/s1600/DSCN2612.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq8f3S8iebAR5PMXzR0fgdRXPIvtBZMNPVCCeCdx1BizegJxCOj8yvRA7eWOnC_92Qhu2aRmb5cHpd6-WpplFJfbTvca01A42uKr5-tKnA15x5EK6jtSD_pE1jWYbSoJR_vuJPnZBxw4/s200/DSCN2612.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There’s a song in every silence,</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLx639vcf0H2TB1NlZZg7nL-BhxlJTaVdbAnLHtliOWp42mf2lzO_9eASaYm-TXYWGOJ0fXyj81-Uz1bwb6NDhvijyoZfFlB2a0SDB-uHHGjOwMFtTg-vIUfQdUXzoAU7lgrgO6ymyy8/s1600/singing-House-Wren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLx639vcf0H2TB1NlZZg7nL-BhxlJTaVdbAnLHtliOWp42mf2lzO_9eASaYm-TXYWGOJ0fXyj81-Uz1bwb6NDhvijyoZfFlB2a0SDB-uHHGjOwMFtTg-vIUfQdUXzoAU7lgrgO6ymyy8/s1600/singing-House-Wren.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seeking word and melody;</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There’s a dawn in every darkness, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bringing hope to you and me.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlbC9DPqIeVU9wtlm1sVnFIriFUYaMNYnAHmPauGWPfWZir9BYNeA38H7HZkL2TjEldlLoiyEKGmgIUlNjoHUQppBqk7mQFxP2OzP9cOKgjCFlTWA76A55UDN6i97zvT6bYkeV3NBod0/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlbC9DPqIeVU9wtlm1sVnFIriFUYaMNYnAHmPauGWPfWZir9BYNeA38H7HZkL2TjEldlLoiyEKGmgIUlNjoHUQppBqk7mQFxP2OzP9cOKgjCFlTWA76A55UDN6i97zvT6bYkeV3NBod0/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the past will come the future;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4gHktbslu2j8TUpzd8rHY59siKeR2tYt7mAMHnNKus84rGpg3yTxiMi5ll5L5dJdkNziHoPBHXepByiYEJHYeNEZdPuNJ4xemCMYFDAmQQMMIAuAr7lJAN69JZGU6Dj0rwbnmyK86_A/s1600/DSCN3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4gHktbslu2j8TUpzd8rHY59siKeR2tYt7mAMHnNKus84rGpg3yTxiMi5ll5L5dJdkNziHoPBHXepByiYEJHYeNEZdPuNJ4xemCMYFDAmQQMMIAuAr7lJAN69JZGU6Dj0rwbnmyK86_A/s200/DSCN3292.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq2stSlZLPA65CHT-T73esKlgwcJtbJ_bIes1q570ktvm54c-utbcsRmZMB6HTgwsvGuVm-tVBAD4_hwKdyiNplfkjUfoFja-HVOfjia5Gg27gawioKWeXg1gE6bjVC-nDLUY1ykMyqM/s1600/granny+the+great+and+ryan+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq2stSlZLPA65CHT-T73esKlgwcJtbJ_bIes1q570ktvm54c-utbcsRmZMB6HTgwsvGuVm-tVBAD4_hwKdyiNplfkjUfoFja-HVOfjia5Gg27gawioKWeXg1gE6bjVC-nDLUY1ykMyqM/s200/granny+the+great+and+ryan+(2).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our end is our beginning;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our time, infinity;</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7FgnB4SlYXiNI9UgDyMb5KNyTVE4-mpJ4CIePo67LYHpb49asEPtty3MBVnoaPL1Albd21DCS7zyG3Dxk3CnUHMq39DztKj9QL9LDb-i014lgthUh0xSdUmGbuPueXjrQz3H7yMI_rg/s1600/autumn+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7FgnB4SlYXiNI9UgDyMb5KNyTVE4-mpJ4CIePo67LYHpb49asEPtty3MBVnoaPL1Albd21DCS7zyG3Dxk3CnUHMq39DztKj9QL9LDb-i014lgthUh0xSdUmGbuPueXjrQz3H7yMI_rg/s1600/autumn+road.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">n our doubt, there is believing;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our life, eternity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M3h2S9qXj1PU5bE-eiw7EANKIlmMhVqkV5UiNO6JrCJkeIvtaR9JG76wOAQjoRoIVvwkKcGc1HWgR_C0NWNVGMDN7n0mxzVZZdvqW4sYmT9IpO2j24Mwhb3_pKoevFgIijesb6RkHuM/s1600/hike16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M3h2S9qXj1PU5bE-eiw7EANKIlmMhVqkV5UiNO6JrCJkeIvtaR9JG76wOAQjoRoIVvwkKcGc1HWgR_C0NWNVGMDN7n0mxzVZZdvqW4sYmT9IpO2j24Mwhb3_pKoevFgIijesb6RkHuM/s1600/hike16.JPG" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our death, a resurrection;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the last, a victory</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gfTEP5UJGrXtfaiwregzMDI0H5Q7txV8oH-dKmtG9fdfBrFWSzAH5MXe-rpLEfHtPIoMbNV4-v5xhXekFi4dFLbsN0WHdNonZ-W4x-gElGJJbWqMZ-QbWktkspuU95Q4fTwhdqOXQLE/s1600/c374e99363f60cbf37fd02f230b0a0a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gfTEP5UJGrXtfaiwregzMDI0H5Q7txV8oH-dKmtG9fdfBrFWSzAH5MXe-rpLEfHtPIoMbNV4-v5xhXekFi4dFLbsN0WHdNonZ-W4x-gElGJJbWqMZ-QbWktkspuU95Q4fTwhdqOXQLE/s1600/c374e99363f60cbf37fd02f230b0a0a9.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unrevealed until its season,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something God alone can see</span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">.</span></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092465487912222075noreply@blogger.com7