Sunday, June 1, 2025

How Does Your Garden Grow?



During one of the few dry days during the month of May, I was able to go out and pick up sticks. I also noticed


a house finch at the bird feeder. I think I've figure out why the birds weren't coming to the feeder. While collecting sticks, I noticed how much traffic flies by. There were a few Goldfinches and as soon as the large trucks roared by the finches flew away. I also went back to the seed I used to buy. I think they like it better.

I live in a rural, farm community. When we first moved in 39 years ago, there was very little traffic. We'd see a car every three or four days. As the years went on, more traffic but confined to morning and evening rush hours. Now, there's barely a lull in the traffic.


Purple Sandwort. Flower names are almost as bad as names for colors


Iris


Canada Mayflower


Something large flattened the daffodil leaves. There has been a couple of bear sightings in town. Someone from town remarked that this is bear mating season. Two sighting were reported on the west side of town. I live in the central part. Another sighting was made in Purgatory Chasm, a state reservation popular for hiking. I live a mile away from the Chasm. If the flattened daffodils was made by a bear, he didn't bother eating the seed from the bird feeders.


Friday night, I tried to capture  the Celestial Smiley Face, but too much ambient light and trees blocked the sighting. Also the best viewing was 45 minutes after sunset and I went out about 9:30 pm


Since I couldn't capture the event with my camera, I used the Skyview app on my phone and did a screen capture of the event. The two bright dots are the twins, Castor (left) and Pollux (right) in the constellation Gemini. The crescent moon formed a smile


Rocky has happily left the feeders alone and is enjoying the seed I scatter on the ground.


While birds have returned to the feeders


they haven't bothered with the Smart Feeder


Plan your Thanksgiving meal now.

How does your garden grow?

20 comments:

  1. Hello. I am back?

    What a charming glimpse into your spring days! It sounds like nature is both blooming and bustling in your area between the finches, flowers, and even possible bear visits

    I love how observant you are, from traffic patterns to flower names (yes, some are oddly specific!

    Too bad about the Celestial Smiley Face, but clever workaround with the Sky view app. Glad Rocky is behaving and the birds are slowly returning.

    Your garden seems to be thriving, even with a bit of rural wildness mixed in. And Thanksgiving planning already? You’re ahead of the game

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    1. Well, the turkeys are roaming the area and they are looking quite plump already 🐱

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  2. I like the Celestial smile - how lovely.
    It's quite special to have bears flattening your daffodils! 🐻

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    1. the thought of the bear in the daffodils tickles me

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  3. I think you have a much larger yard than I have. At least I don't have to mow about 1/4 of the back where the herbs are protected by the tarps. I love your bird feeders. Your yard is quite impressive.

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    1. The property which includes the woods out back is slightly over an acre of land.

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  4. Your road sounds like my road. It's insane. wonder if some of that is GPS sending people down this usually not main roads. Your yard is looking good. I wonder if that was a bear who flattened out those stems. They really are flat. And I didn't know about the celestial smiley face. I would have gone and looked for it otherwise. :) I'm loving the new background of strawberries and happy June to you CJ.

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    1. I live on one of the two main roads in town. My road connects Rte395 (Worcester/Connecticut) and Rte 146 (Worcester/Rhode Island). I think there's just more traffic. There's an Amazon distribution center, and Unified has just built a huge facility. Whatever flattened those stems was big.

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  5. I think it takes a little while for birds to accept a new feeder... i bet they are keeping their eye on it though... lol That may have been a deer looking for a soft place to lay for the night..lol Traffic in my town has gotten crazy over the years.. I agree it used to be mornings and the commute home and maybe some lunch hour traffic but now it is constant... Love your strawberries... Hugs! deb

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    1. Oh, deer. I didn't think of that. That's probably more like it. Though I was hoping it was a bear. I'm sure the bear would have gone after the bird seed.

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  6. I'm with jinxxxygirl, I think it was a deer.

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    1. Probably, but I still wanted it to be a bear

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  7. So lovely to see your photos! I live in a 6th floor apartment so I do not have a garden, but I am close to a park and homes in the area and this is where I can see the flowers and gardens. It is so wonderful to see. Beautiful series of photos, thank you so much for sharing.

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  8. You've got my Irises! Or I've got yours. Heh. Anyway, they're purdy:) Bears? Good grief. You be careful. Loved your night pics.They gave me a smiley face;) Happy June 1.
    Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com

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    1. It was pointed out that the bear might have actually been a deer. The bear would have gone after the bird seed in the feeders and no feeders were harmed.

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  9. Fabulous post and it looks like you're enjoying the warmer weather in your garden 😊. Loved the celestial smiley face - such fun! Happy June, enjoy ❤️. Hugs, Jo x

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    1. The weather is still cool, but at least it's not raining.

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  10. Looks like you have a few different types of flowers that are growing, and looking good. It is possible that your daffodils were flattened by a baby deer that was left to rest there. Although that area looks wide open. I've had that happen, but where the daffodils are right next to the house, so it's a "safe" place for the mother to leave the baby for awhile. Teddy said he thinks you had a bear visit! ;-)

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  11. Nice photographs.
    With regard to your new bird feeder, it does sometimes take a short while for birds to try out and accept it ... but I'm sure they will.

    All the best Jan

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