MaineNatureDiary

Drew chainsawing wood: Drew keeps saying that “this is the...

Mon, 28 May 2012 13:45:00 -0400

Drew chainsawing wood: Drew keeps saying that “this is the last load of wood that I am going to cut up”, and then he goes out and scavenges more. Then, neighbor Ernie brings over more pallets…and Drew has to fill them! It is a never-ending cycle. We’ve almost got enough wood for two winters. We need another 1/2 cord to fill out the pallets and we are good to go!

By the way, Drew is using neighbor Ernie’s sawbucks to cradle the wood on. That makes his work so much easier. Thanks, Ernie!

Drew splitting wood: Drew is just finishing splitting the last...

Mon, 28 May 2012 13:40:48 -0400

Drew splitting wood: Drew is just finishing splitting the last of the wood that he gathered on Saturday afternoon. It is gorgeous maple and ash.

Tadpoles & Fingerlings at the Coastal Maine Botanical...

Sun, 27 May 2012 09:40:00 -0400

Tadpoles & Fingerlings at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: The minute we entered the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, I insisted we hightail it to the Children’s Garden which is chock full of frogs, tadpoles, and salamanders. Fun!

Greyhound Meet and Greet: We went to Pet Quarters today to visit with some greyhounds and their...

Sat, 26 May 2012 23:17:00 -0400

Greyhound Meet and Greet: We went to Pet Quarters today to visit with some greyhounds and their owners. Check out our Family Blog for the details. Unfortunately, we didn’t take photos because we were too busy petting and hugging dogs for two hours;-)

Have chainsaw will travel: Drew found more great wood along the roadside (ash and maple) to cut up and bring home. Neighbor Ernie helped Drew bring the wood home by filling the back of his truck a couple of times. Thanks, Ernie! The daytime temp. reached 82F, and it was very hot work. Drew will split the wood next week.

Groundhog babies: Just a note to self to bring the camera to school to try and photograph the...

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:22:00 -0400

Groundhog babies: Just a note to self to bring the camera to school to try and photograph the groundhog pups. There are at least 7 cute baby groundhogs inhabiting the den that has been active for over 12 years.

Wood Stack: Drew has collected, sawed, and hand split all but...

Thu, 24 May 2012 05:42:00 -0400

Wood Stack: Drew has collected, sawed, and hand split all but one cord of wood on the wood pile. Free heat for the winter!

Update on the bats we saw in Florida: Our friends in Florida are now seeing baby bats dropping out...

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:47:00 -0400

Update on the bats we saw in Florida: Our friends in Florida are now seeing baby bats dropping out of the trees as they learn to fly. Here is a letter that they sent.

     I’ve been trying to find the time to write you a note about a baby bat I rescued last week. I noticed something draped on a limb in the butterfly garden and then saw a blue jay fly over and peck at it. At that point the blue jay flew off and what was draped on the limb flew down. I went outside thinking it was a hurt bird but found a baby bat on the ground. I picked him/her up and took it over to the screen on the back porch and let it climb up on the screen. Of course, I shouldn’t have just picked it up in my hand like that (as my husband told me), but it was just instinct. He/she laid very calmly in my hand and luckily I didn’t encounter any teeth.   He/she climbed up a little ways on the screen and then turned upside down to hang. I thought at that point that it would just stay there until dusk. While I was watching him/her hang, it just suddenly flew up into the trees. I actually saw a blue jay try to get to it in the air, but luckily the little bat made it to the trees. I don’t quite know what blue jays have against bats, but there must be something. Even though I didn’t get a photo, I can tell you that this little guy was “not” a Brazilian free-tailed bat and appeared to be an evening bat……no tail extended like the free-tailed. Of course, that’s just one bat, but my guess is that we probably have both species.

     Two nights ago I was out at dusk watering some plants when a small bat dropped from the trees and landed on a plant. That also appeared to be an evening bat, but it was definitely getting dark so I wouldn’t bet my life on it. It seemed to not be able to fly as of yet, but seemed to be in the process of trying. Maybe Mom tosses the young out to learn????? A few seconds later, I heard what seemed to be another one come down, but couldn’t locate it in the dark.

     I’m assuming that the females may be nesting in the trees until the young are old enough for the bat houses. That could account for the one last week flying up to the trees (in that same area). I wouldn’t think that would be too safe with hawks, owls, and those blue jays but that’s what I’ll assume until I can find out more.

     If I encounter any more, I’ll try to grab my camera to get some pictures. Just thought you’d be interested to know that we at least know we have some evening bats around.

Beverly

Aaaaaachooooo!: The birch trees and grasses are releasing pollen at a fast rate, and I am spending...

Sun, 20 May 2012 18:08:00 -0400

Aaaaaachooooo!: The birch trees and grasses are releasing pollen at a fast rate, and I am spending the day sneezing, and sneezing, and sneez….Aaaaachooooo…..;-)

Who’s looking at you?: We like photographing eyes and here...

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:16:00 -0400

Red squirrel

Green frog

Who’s looking at you?: We like photographing eyes and here are two of our latest. You can see the south facing side of our house in the eye of the red squirrel, and you can see the sun and the photographer (sort of) in the eye of the green frog. (Click on any photo for a closer view.)

Click on this Animal Planet link to learn about some interesting information about a frog’s eyes.

Robin’s nest: The robins didn’t waste any time...

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:15:00 -0400

Robin’s nest: The robins didn’t waste any time inhabiting the wood shed! This nest is on the north wall. They had been trying to nest in the garage, but there was so much bird poop on our cars that Drew put sheets of plastic over the garage door openings to keep the robins out. Success! We are going to see if we can mount a camera up in the wood shed to photograph the chicks after the eggs hatch.

Wood Shed: Drew finished filling the wood shed behind the garage...

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:10:00 -0400

Wood Shed: Drew finished filling the wood shed behind the garage and we are all set for winter! Bring it on;-)

Walk on snowmobile trail: We took our first walk of the season...

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:08:00 -0400

Walk on snowmobile trail: We took our first walk of the season on the snowmobile trail this afternoon. ‘Twas a picture perfect afternoon with the temp. in the high 60s and a nice dry breeze. Absolutely lovely. Oh yes…Blackfly season seems to be over, and the mosquitoes are now out!

Turkey Love: This mated pair of turkeys decided to “do...

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:28:00 -0400

Turkey Love: This mated pair of turkeys decided to “do their thing” in our front yard. In order to preserve some of their dignity and to give them privacy, Drew photographed them through the basement window, behind the tree…

Baby Red Squirrels: We have four baby red squirrels frequenting...

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:37:00 -0400

Baby Red Squirrels: We have four baby red squirrels frequenting our various feeding stations. They seem to enjoy sampling the haute cuisine of sunflower seeds, suet, and oranges.

The first part of the video was shot through the kitchen window, and the latter part was shot by Drew walking up to them. They are young enough that they haven’t become territorial yet, and they allow us to get within a few feet of them.

Wave Action: We visited Popham Beach to enjoy the prettiest day...

Sun, 13 May 2012 22:02:00 -0400

Wave Action: We visited Popham Beach to enjoy the prettiest day we’ve had in a long time. We love the action of waves on the beach, and decided to photograph it while squatting down close to the sand to get a “bird’s eye view.” This meant that we couldn’t always see how far up the beach the waves were flowing, and I got soaked pants legs to prove it. Fun!

Watch the video full screen for the best effect, and you’ll see sea foam bubbles sparkling like diamonds on the sand! (Please allow the video to load a few seconds before watching it. It is 1.5 minutes long and rather mesmerizing.)

Mother Nature’s sand pattern: I am ever so fascinated by...

Sun, 13 May 2012 20:52:00 -0400

Mother Nature’s sand pattern: I am ever so fascinated by all the patterns that the seawater creates as it flows from the beach to the ocean as the tide goes out. I saw lots of “tree” patterns in the sand, and they were quite intricate. Anyone who goes with me to the beach has to have lots of patience as I get so caught up in the many wonders of the ocean. I am extremely lucky to have Drew as my partner because he gives me lots of time to make my discoveries before gently reminding me that we have a lot of walking to do before the beach experience ends. This photo is a tribute to the the busiest, and most artistic mother I know…Mother Nature…The world is her canvas. (Click on photo for a larger view.)

Mother’s Day at Popham Beach: The beach was so pretty...

Sun, 13 May 2012 20:44:00 -0400

Herring Gull in breeding season plumage

Herring Gull in first summer plumage

Herring Gull in first summer plumage

Junior annoys adults and gets chased off

Mother’s Day at Popham Beach: The beach was so pretty today with a light breeze, partly clouded skies, and the air temp. in the high 60s. There were more people at the beach than we usually see off-season, and they were all enjoying the fresh ocean air. The herring gulls were plentiful as well, and their antics were fun to observe. The last photo is one that our mother’s could probably relate to as we most likely bugged the heck out of them when we were children! Happy Mom’s Day! (Click on any photo to enter the slide show for a larger view.)

Weekend weather: I am getting so excited about the coming weekend weather forecast. We are predicted...

Thu, 10 May 2012 22:15:00 -0400

Weekend weather: I am getting so excited about the coming weekend weather forecast. We are predicted to have two days near 70F. WOW! Mind you, that is as high a temp. as I prefer.

Rain: We got just over 2” of rain over the last day and a half. But, the sun came out this afternoon, and Drew got a lot more wood split. Now, we have enough wood to get us through next winter.

Bunny: Drew saw the bunny rabbit again, and it was heading from the backyard to the wood pile, so we think it might be bunking down in there somewhere. I looked up breeds of rabbits, and I think this one might belong to the Creme D’Argent breed, aka “Creme of the Crop”. I think I shall name it “Charlotte.”

I just read that rabbits should be fed mostly fresh grass hays such as timothy, oat, coastal, brome, Bahia or wheat. Also important in their diet are fresh greens like broccoli, dark leaf lettuces, parsley, carrots with tops, dill, basil, mint, cilantro, spinach. etc. I might just have to grow a rabbit food garden;-) Ummm…Neighbor Ernie isn’t too keen on Charlotte hanging around. Ernie’s garden is just getting going with lots of tasty greens…if they get nibbled on, we’ll know “who done it”!

‘Tis a Soggy Week: Ugh..I cannot wait to see the sun again. It has been so soggy here, and my...

Wed, 09 May 2012 20:56:00 -0400

‘Tis a Soggy Week: Ugh..I cannot wait to see the sun again. It has been so soggy here, and my arthritic knees have been really feeling the weather…achy, swollen, stiff…The weekend should be absolute lovely, and we are hoping to get out to Thorncrag and maybe the beach! I am looking forward to some exercise (even if it is just shuffling along) as I’ve had to take it very easy the last two weeks. By the way, the temp. might get up to 70F on Sunday!

First Hummingbird of the Season: We got a call from Neighbor...

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:31:00 -0400

First Hummingbird of the Season: We got a call from Neighbor Carla alerting us to the fact that they had a couple of hummers at their feeder today (right on schedule.) So, Drew quickly mixed some sugar water and set up the hummingbird stations. Within 30 minutes, the first male of the season was hungrily sipping from the one of the feeders. It is a rainy, raw day and the birds need to eat a lot of nectar to keep warm. We are so glad to see them again as they provide us with so much joy and excitement from early May through early September. (Click on photo for a larger view.)