Category: The great outdoors

By Posted on Posted in Conservation, Gardening, The great outdoors Tagged with

We’ve been composting for several years. This includes grass clippings, food scraps, coffee grounds, paper, etc. In return, the plants in my yard benefit from the recycling process. Composting is a great way to recycle the organic waste we generate at home. Food scraps and garden waste combined make up more than 28 percent of what households throw away. Composting at home allows us to divert some of that waste from landfills and turn it into something practical for our yards.

Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in commentary, Conservation, Government, Nature, The great outdoors Tagged with , , , ,

Today is the day when you just have to say, NO! No, to the sale of acres of our national pride. A half million there. 2.5 million here…And if you turn your head for a single moment, public lands could disappear in the blink of an eye, and that’s what several senators and members of congress are hoping will happen. And once they are sold, folks, they are gone FOREVER!! Slip in a few obscure paragraphs in the gargantuan spending and tax bill, that’s already been passed by the House, that’s on its way to the Senate and the next thing you know…

You see, public land sales are introduced as PORK or pork-bellying. Let me introduce you to the concept if you’re not already familiar with it…

Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Birds/Birding, Nature, Photography, The great outdoors

The avian gods shone their light upon me, allowing me the delight of witnessing four new house finch fledglings. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I was sitting at my dining room table, when I looked out on the deck and saw this adorable bird. Hmm, what is that? At first, I thought it was a wren, due to the way the tail was flipping up. Then I thought it was a young grosbeak, but after watching it for a while, then seeing its siblings with a parent, there was no mistaking them. Adorable house finches…

Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Birds/Birding, Gardening, The great outdoors Tagged with , , , ,
yellowjacket-wasp

Another gorgeous day in northern Michigan. Birds singing, happily nibbling away at numerous feeders that fill the yard. I turn to see a lovely couple, a male and female grosbeak having lunch together. Every now and then they look into each other’s eyes. I wonder what their love story is. A few feet away, gregarious birds gather around the flat feeder. Hey, I was here first. No, you weren’t. Well watch this. There I showed you. Uh, that was until two more landed, taking care of the younger squawkers. Meanwhile a lone hummingbird hovers nearby over the deck. Scanning the area for aberrant invaders, he goes into a dive, Table for one, please. Extracting sugar-water from deep inside, he sits for at least 60 seconds. He feels safe. Secure. But he never stops perusing the area for signs of trespassers. Another day in the life of backyard birding…

Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Birds/Birding, Mare's photos, Photography, The great outdoors Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Now, with a total of nine feeders (not counting the three hummingbird feeders put out this week), it’s a regular bird fest for breakfast lunch and dinner. Our backyard has become a haven for over 40 species of our flying …

May 6th backyard birds Read more »