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At last

14 Monday Oct 2019

Posted by home, garden, life in Polo, sustainable lifestyle, Virginia

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

King Family Vineyards, leasure, life, outdoors, Polo, Virginia

Summer finally loosed her grip on central Virginia. Daytime temperatures now range between 47F-78F. Ahhh.

This year, heat and humidity seemed to last forever, forcing this gardener outdoors before dawn for chores. The manic mockingbird, and the mouthy rooster from two properties away were my only sunrise companions amongst the persistent weeds. Mowing occurred only after the sun was below the cypress hedge. Waaay below.

My gardens are now nineteen years old, requiring no watering even during the driest conditions. Live and learn. In my next life, I hope that I remember all this garden taught me.

Now with pleasant daytime temperatures  I shall report on the fun (read leasure) I shared yesterday. Within a short drive from Swallowtail Cottage, one of our local vineyards (http://kingfamilyvineyards.com) hosts thrilling polo matches that are free to the public. The only caveat is purchasing your adult beverage from the wine wheels that frequently putter by in the form of a golf cart.

Below are captured images of this blissful afternoon:

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Sadly the founder David King succumbed to cancer this year. Here is a link paying homage to his legacy…https://www.cbs19news.com/content/news/King-Family-holds-first-polo-match-after-founder-passes-away-510457121.html

Thanks to David’s vision and generosity, hundreds of area residents decompress with family and friends most Sundays during summer months. October is my month to venture outdoors.

What is your favorite month for outdoor activities?

Copyright © 2019 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

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bursting with pride

26 Sunday May 2013

Posted by home, garden, life in Back Yard Birds, birds, Bluebirds, environment, Lifestyle, nature, photography, Virginia

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

bluebird monitor, Bluebirds, nature, outdoors, predator guard, Virginia, young bluebirds

By now followers must realize my adoration of the US Native Bluebird. Four years ago, with the help of three bluebird experts, I joined the ranks of bluebird monitors. After a few rough starts and mortality rates, this year appears to be my most successful year. The following photos were shot this morning through my glass door, so some may appear blurry, yet the moment cannot be replaced. I hope that you enjoy!

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for clarification this slightly blurry shot shows the predator guard acting as a perch for the 28 day old bluebird chicks. I rigged this private BB feeder in an unused BB box noel guard. It has worked splendidly–keeping other birds out.

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28 day old chick safely explores the feeding ground below main feeder

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adult male feeds chick and is instrumental in keeping fledglings healthy with food

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OK, Smarty, as I named him, is the first chick to actually fly up into the private BB feeder

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female adult perches amongst the chicks, as she has already completed her second nest in the other box used earlier (cleaned out by moi). I expect new eggs any day now.

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Smarty enjoying the morning sun and awaiting more mealworms

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notice Smarty’s blue tail feathers…at day 28 already we can see Smarty is a male. And how VERY adult he looks ~ very streamlined!

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clever Smarty turned to the feeding bowl

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I know, I am guilty of sharing too many photos, yet moi feels like a proud grandparent, with the hard parts left to the adult bluebirds

I surmise these three chicks are the ones that fledged first, before the last two from this clutch. If you recall, the last two chicks fledged two days after these, and I believe that somehow they do not associate themselves with the first three. I spotted a single chick with the adult male yesterday, a loner, who flew directly into my glass door window (despite the window ribbon) as I stood there, gasping. It was not killed, and flapped its way over the rooftop. The fifth chick alludes me to date. I shall hope to see all five together in order to soothe my concerns.
Observing wild birds can be difficult at times, as Mother Nature will take her course, despite the best efforts by moi. After all, I can only help so much, yet the hand wringing continues…
If you wish to see my other bluebird posts, merely type the word bluebird into the search bar on this site. I invite comments from readers more experienced than I. Yet, today I am one proud and grateful bluebird monitor. Kudos to the many naturalists who monitor bluebird trails and cope with hundreds of these beauties.
At home, garden, life, one box at a time is all I can manage.

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Update as of 5/31. This face-guard is my adaptation to keep a nosy Thrasher out of the mealworm feeder. She happened by when adult BB was feeding the chicks. This quick contraption, made from another butter box, works perfectly.

PS I should mention another bird blessing this spring. A pair of robins decided to build their nest in the Little Gem magnolia, just outside my bedroom window. So close is the nest, that I merely need to glance through the pane to see their chicks eagerly gaping for food. A first for this birding woman, and a joy to behold.

PPS Just spotted Uno (the chick who crashed into the door glass yesterday) at the feeder. Female adult ignored it, yet in zoomed the adult male, who promptly stuffed Uno’s gullet with mealworms. Yay!

And off in the distance the din of a zillion cicadas….

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

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empty nest

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in Back Yard Birds, birds, Bluebirds, Lifestyle, nature

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

bluebird monitor, Bluebirds, eastern bluebird, empty nest, fledging, fledglings, meal worms, nature, outdoors, Virginia

As I completed last night’s blog rain fell in sheets then abruptly quit, making for a pleasant evening. I decided to go after a few stubborn weeds in the pathways. The mosquitoes quickly drove me inside, where I enjoyed a cool shower. Looking out the kitchen window, as is my habit when monitoring the back yard bluebirds, I noticed a bit of activity. Through my binoculars I saw a nestling sitting in the opening of the Noel guard. It then hopped into the feeding dish, looked around, then after Mama appeared, grabbing a mouthful of meal worms, seemingly unconcerned, she vanished into the nearby thicket—these nestling were fledging tonight!

I continued to observe from the kitchen, deducing that the oldest had already fledged, and the #2 babe was soon to follow. Indeed, within a few moments, #2 took off in the direction of #1, never missing a beat. THEN I held my breath as I waited to see if #3 had survived. Next I saw her, cautiously considering departing the box. Mama came back for more meal worms, ignoring #3. In turn, #3 hopped into the Noel guard, looked back at the entrance to the box, rested and observed, then quickly flew into the thicket. I could not believe how fortunate I was to witness this special event. By my calculations, fledging should have occurred two days from now.

empty nest following fledge~my coir and raffia nest design was a success! No blowfly!

side view of bird box and coir nesting material~cozy yet cool!

The night was calm and mild, and this AM, I see both adults actively feeding fledglings in the thicket. I filled the small feeder inside the Noel guard, hoping that the adults would continue to use the contents for supplemental meals…and YES they are. RELIEF! My chores are lessened and perhaps three additional magnificent bluebirds will grace this county. Mission accomplished!

Now to see if the adults begin a third nest cycle. As brutal as this summer began, I hope that they do not. Being a bird is challenging! Yet oh how they provide me with pleasure, lessons, and hope for the future.

Thanks for following. Your comments are always welcome.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

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better late than never?

07 Saturday Jul 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in Dominion Power, Lifestyle

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Fourth of July, Independence Day Celebration, Monticello, Monticello Gardens, Nadia Comaneci, naturalization ceremony, outdoors, photography, plants, travel, vacation, Virginia

Dear old Mother Nature had her way with Virginia again last week. She sent 80 MPH winds throughout the state, dropping trees and power lines like toothpicks. I was one of the lucky ones, with garden damage limited to the Ichi Ke Jiro, which split in half. Electricity was out for 6.5 days during triple digit temperatures and high humidity. A bit of deja vu from last fourth of July weekend—see my blog.

I defaulted to the lower level of my home, where I have a small bed, bath, and comfortable sitting area. I hauled water from my neighbor’s spigot to water necessary herbs and flush toilets, then retreated to the basement until dusk, when I would check birds feeders and baths. I went to bed at dark and woke at dawn, where I would again haul water and scrounge for a meal from my assorted collection of nuts, seeds and dry berries. Reading and naps filled my afternoons while gently transported to idleness.

On the actual fourth, I decided to join the living and drive to Monticello’s 50th Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. The following images portray that visit and give an update of Jefferson’s garden progression. See my earlier blog: the thing about historic gardens, posted in late winter.

Dramatic contrast between reenactment soldier and Nadia Comaneci.

Remember to slide your mouse over images for further captions.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

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is there a prettier calf?

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in Lifestyle, photography, trail riding

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

future broncs, handsome herd, outdoors, quarter horse, traril riding, Virginia cattle, virginia countryside

Following heart palpitations with the black racer, I headed out on a glorious day to have another outing on Easy, a fine quarter horse. This day’s trail ride took TT and me to an eight-hundred acre parcel, just down a country lane. Surrounded by endless open sky, gentle breezes, mild temperatures, and bright sunshine my companion and I had fun chatting while enjoying our mounts—seduced by the afternoon.

When we crested a hill we were greeted by a most handsome herd of calves, many worth juggling the camera out of my pouch. The stunners follow below.

Can you tell my favorite?

These calves may be future broncs, as they are on the same farm from my blog

where am I anyway?

Remember to glide your mouse over these images for captions.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

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snake in the grass?

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in garden, home, home ownership, life, Lifestyle

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Eagle Scout, garden, outdoors, plants, snakes, Virginia

Sunday mornings I linger in and around my bed. Yesterday, as I gazed into the landscape, I noticed what appeared to be a black gasket, in the top of the nandina shrub, just below my window. Yes there was wind yesterday, but a gasket in my shrub??

I grabbed my camera, where I could view through the telephoto lens, and much to my amazement, spotted not a gasket, but a black snake! It appeared small, until I attempted to trap it in a lidded bucket.

Since the nandinas are a thick stand, positioning the bucket proved impossible, as the snake quickly slithered down the branch, and was lost in the day lilies. Damn! I have not had black snakes here in two years—because these reptiles thrive on bird eggs, nestlings, and toads I strive to capture any snake and release them down the road near a stream bed.

This black racer is a small version of former garden reptiles. Although as it made its escape, I realized that it was nearly a yard long and chills walked up my spine—not sure why I react this way. The Eagle Scout who captured my first eight foot racer, coolly pressed its head to the ground, picked up the critter behind its head, and placed it into the bucket. Go Eagle Scouts!

I on the other hand nearly have heart failure when I encounter a snake. I KNOW most of them are beneficial, yet I startle every time, no matter the size. So my summer here at Swallowtail Cottage just upped a notch, knowing that until this racer is captured, my birds and toads are at risk, and so my heart!

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

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Check out HGTV where two of my garden designs are featured…

I was featured on HGTVGardens.com!

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Essay Titles

  • Soon to be summer cooler
  • Another blueberry spring
  • Spring garden projects
  • Chocolate Ginger Molasses wafers
  • Winter warmer when we pause
  • The twilight zone is real
  • Projects keep coming…
  • Feeling it
  • the journey continues
  • My food journey
  • Brownies, Keto Style
  • Keto almond crackers
  • If you are climbing the walls…
  • Three hours of sun
  • “this too shall pass”
  • there is no place like home…
  • the perfect Tiny House
  • Miracles everywhere
  • And so it goes…
  • Transform, transition, resilience
  • An Artist’s Way
  • Sunday’s monster project
  • Meanwhile
  • how fragile we are
  • what I learned about Keto
  • small steps
  • do no harm…
  • will this convince you?
  • Plastics…a soapbox tale
  • Let’s clean up our act
  • 2020…are we ready?
  • All I want for Christmas
  • Thanksgiving…remembering love
  • At last
  • Keto “potatoes”
  • When critters call
  • Keto bread revisited
  • My report on Keto
  • for the love of rock, II
  • give a gardener a cool summer day…
  • Oh July, July
  • Kale, the ultimate chip
  • gone Keto
  • she’s baaaack!
  • Perhaps missed
  • for the love of rock
  • the anatomy of a popover
  • the garden visitor
  • what blooms this week
  • porch envy

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