Thursday, May 31, 2012

More Late Spring Flowers!


One of late spring's loveliest creations, the peony is a “perennial” favorite  here at Bon Bon Pond.   Loved only by ants, these pink-petaled powder puffs are  virtually ignored by the deer, rabbits and other hungry wildlife.  With hard rain and blustery winds their only "predators," these fortunate flowers  are the perfect accoutrement to a well-dressed "country"  lawn like mine!


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Take Me Home, Country Roads



There’s something about a dusty dirt road.  The washboard surface slows down  traffic—and life along with it.  Around May Township, when we travel we take time to enjoy the sceneryand we always yield to pedestrians.  


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Enjoy Your Summer!


Thoughts for the Work Week Ahead



Today’s Inspiration  from Nature comes from our wonderful wild songbirds and is told via video and the incredible voice of the music world’s top “songbird,” Ms. Barbra Streisand.  Special thanks to nisarahmad84 from youtube for creating this lesson in perseverance and courage from the animal kingdom.  Enjoy!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Holiday Wishes

May your Memorial Day be memorable!  Enjoy those picnics or barbecues!  And to every brave man or woman who has worn the uniform of our country, we say  . . .

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Baby News


My babies are growin’ up!  And fast!  While raking the bank the other day both families came to visit—well, alright, came for their food.  But, hey, they tolerated my presence!   

It’s both fun and informative to observe Canada Geese up close.  The goslings take their cues 100 percent from their parents.  Left on their own, they have no fear of me.  I’m just another forest creature.  It’s only when mom and dad signal “Alert!  Possible Danger” that they waddle away.  Fear of humans is learned behavior not an innate trait. 



I was also fascinated by the relationship between the two families.  They tolerate each other but the goslings keep to their respective broods.  I’m anthropomorphizing  here, but just the same, I  kept waiting for the two sets of kids to interact—i.e. play together—but that hasn’t happened, at least not yet.


The raking is finished and my feathered friends couldn’t be happier.  Geese love short grass.  In fact, soon after completion, both families enjoyed a leisurely stroll across the newly manicured bank.  Nodding their necks in approval, they then settled in for a nice nap. 

Life is good around the Pond.  

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend!

To all our readers in the United States, we wish you a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.  Recognized as the start of summer, this three-day holiday celebration is traditionally a time for picnics and other outdoor fun.  Get outside and enjoy nature, but please take time to thank our veterans, pray for our active duty military and, especially, honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  

Friday, May 25, 2012

Flower Power!




Thursday, May 24, 2012

Blessed Rain!

I awoke this morning to the soft sounds of a gentle rain:  for my money, the most beautiful music on earth. Back in my childhood, it’s what we used to call a “soaker.”  People wrote songs about depressing day-long downpours, but I never agreed.  As a country girl who views precipitation as life-affirming, wet days were seen as a Gift from God; something to savor.

After decades of drought, “dreaded drenchers” are a now a novelty and cause to celebrate, even by city slickers.  This a.m. I walked in the rain.  The touch of the cool water on my face cleansed my soul, lifted my spirits and washed my worries away.  

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Mystery???

As each late spring day passes, I become more and more concerned. Where are all the hummingbirds? Traditionally, I put out ten nectar feeders and each is utilized--usually,  by a single sentinel standing guard, fiercely fending off a horde of hungry  interlopers. 

The early morning and late night feeding frenzies, with their thrilling aerial battle ballets have been a highlight of my Adventures in Birding.  But this year, as least so far, the sugary mix remains, for the most part, untouched.  Dawn and dusk are eerily quiet, bereft of the Ruby-throats’ hum and  chatter.  I know not where my aerodynamic dynamos have gone, but I can say with certainty that summer will not be the same without them. 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Waterfowl Updates

One of my most important, and time-consuming, spring tasks involves raking the bank.  The hill to the water is too steep to use a lawn mower so it’s kept trimmed via a gas-powered string trimmer.  But before I can get started cutting,  last year’s leaves, fallen lumber and other debris must be removed.  The cleanup effort is more than ornamental as the geese prefer short grass for grazing and lounging. 

I hope to finish up before the first of June but progress is impeded by my impatient waterfowl—particularly my skittish ducks who fly off in a huff when my trusty rake and I appear. 

Today was no different except that both Canada Geese families were present and, in a leap of faith that touched my heart, stayed put and tolerated my presence.  At one point I was no more than ten feet from my flock.  I was deeply moved that the parents allowed me such up close and personal access to their offspring. 

More raking is on tomorrow’s agenda, but this time, will bring the camera.  Fingers and toes crossed for some good shots.