Friday, May 14, 2021

Life On The Wild Side

 Our house is across the street from a school yard, and kitty-corner to the start of a seven-acre patch of undeveloped woods.  In the early 2000's, the school's fence did not extend along the east end, by the woods and often the school yard was hosting deer, skunks, foxes and other wildlife.  But about 12 years ago, the town put up an EIGHT-FOOT high, chain link fence across that east end.  No more deer or foxes or other larger wildlife.

That did not stop deer from eating the green of our tomato plants, to the point where I got no tomatoes last year.  I did not know that they like tomato greens, but apparently they do.  I didn't see the culprits, but others in the neighborhood did.

However, two days ago, I looked out my kitchen window in the early evening sunshine and was treated to the sight of two young deer walking up Henry Street.  A few minutes later, THREE deer walked back.  Not enough sweet feed out for them, I guess.

Also, I have two bird's nests in my front yard.  One I knew about, in the Bartlett Pear tree, up near the top.  It's large and has been there for over a year.  I thought it was a squirrels' nest, but it's not, and I still don't know what kind of birds...

In my Pieris japonica shrub on the southwest corner of the house rests a beautiful, symetrical robin's nest.  I am SO EXCITED!  I always wanted to see one, and watch them grow up.  


So, I stuck my phone up in the shrub and took pictures!


 

 
A good view of the nest, with a hint of the blue eggs up at the top.   

I don't know if the nest in the pear has eggs, and I don't even know what kind of bird is up there, but I will find out.

A note about the tree/shrub:  I've been trying to identify it as long as I've lived here, and believe I've finally done it!  Comparing pictures and what I know of how these plantings have grown over the last 18 + years, I believe them to be Pieris japonica.   There are three of them; at the front corners and beside the garage.  I love their flowers, but I need to research them as they have grown a bit large.  Just more to do!

Summer's Over, Fall Sets In

  It’s been quite a while since I’ve blogged, and much has gone on with me.   I’ve had 16 radiation treatments, and am on Tamaxofen for th...