Butterfly Hill Farm: Nature Notes

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May 20:

The Farm is really greening up. Plants are breaking into buds and flowers, under our ever watchful eye. Buffalo Gal, a rose we brought with us from North Dakota, is covered with buds and today she presented us with her 1st flower.

Irises began blooming yesterday. And we were not surprised that the 1st to flower were Irises from Melanie's 2 Grandmas (Ethel and Dorothy, who have both passed). I noted that the Yellow Columbine is also breaking into flower. And the Bleeding Heart just continues to throw out cascades of flowers.

We got 1 inch of rain last night. We did lose a few limbs, but otherwise, the countryside is in that luscious, after rain, spring-moving-into summer, green.

I do remember that my Dad, when he came to our Farm in 2007 just 2 months before he passed, said: "This is paradise. When I go to Heaven, I want to come here." It surely is beautiful here. The landscapes are radiant.

And the Hummingbirds, with all their energy, have just arrived. They buzz about. I don't know how they have all that energy. They wintered in the Yucatan, crossed the Gulf on those tiny wings, and now are setting up home here. I supposed you could say, they are setting up home just like us.

All this makes a perfect backdrop for wedding preparations and for the wedding itself. Is this for real?

Photos

Except in very specific circumstances, all photos depicted here were taken on our Farm. Those circumstances off the Farm relate to the purposes of this Farm and this writing exploration. Almost all were taken by 1 of the 3 C's. If not, I try to make sure others are credited. I (Glinda) am usually the one carrying the camera, but not always.

I do my best to gain permissions of Folks whose pictures are shown on this Blog. If for any reason, you are pictured and would like your photo removed, just let me know. Thanks.

Glinda

...began her professional career as a Home Economist, later serving as a Home Economics Teacher Educator for 2 decades. In 1995, she moved into analyzing the Human Side of Environmental Issues. She went from studying Humans in their Little Homes to studying Humans in their Big Home, the Earth. Those 2 leggeds were, after all, creating a substantial problem for the Earth, which sustains them. After 30 years in higher education, she became Professor Emerita of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Ecological Studies at the University of North Dakota in 2005.

Glinda has a special interest in analyzing the split Humans have with Nature. Her focus is bringing Humans home to the Earth, opening at long last to the awe, magic, and love of this beautiful Earth whirling in the Great Cosmic Sea. She is a writer, teacher, poet, artist. She is the writer for this Blog, the substance of which will likely become a book she has known she would write.

Recent interview with Fast Recipes: http://www.fastrecipes.com/latest-news/nature%E2%80%99s-recipes:-living-off-the-land-in-missouri-2010061740080/

Richard

...grew up on a 120 acre Farm about 5 miles west of here. Those humble beginnings have had a profound effect on his Life. He was trained as a Wildlife Biologist and later responsible for the Wildlife Management Program at the University of North Dakota for over 3 decades. Retiring in 2007, he is a UND Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology.

Richard brings to the Farm a lifelong interest in the Natural Sciences (Birds, Wildlife, Prairie Restoration, Ecosystems, Gardening) and the Humanities. As his wife (Glinda) says: "He is one of those few people in our Culture who can still read Nature's story and make it accessible to those around him."

Melanie

...would list a bio a little shorter than her Mom and Dad. That's because she hasn't lived quite so long, which is the normal course of such things. But her bio would be no less interesting and perhaps even more so. She has come to this work and this walk far earlier than her Mom or Dad.

Melanie has an interest in healthy lifestyles. It's not something you read about; it's something you do. She brings her love of life, her travel near and far, her love of people known and unknown, her playful curiosity, and her knowing to Gardening, Raising Chickens, Herbal Healing, and the Culinary Arts. She makes a place for Kids of all Ages on this Little Farm.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Nature Notes

"Drink your tea" sings the Eastern Towhee which was 1st observed March 22. That may be a special message for Richard.

Melanie saw a Field Sparrow yesterday and 1st heard them today. We love Field Sparrows. Their Songs are music of the Prairie.

Austrees are leafing out. Autumn Olives are leafing out. Gooseberries are leafing out. The Gala Apple Tree is leafing out. The Lilac is leafing out. And the list goes on.

Richard saw a large Prairie King Snake when he was out planting Trees March 30. The King Snake was sunning himself, with his head under a couple of Leaves and his body was out. The Human was observed jumping quite high, in fact. He says he wasn't startled and was just climbing Trees.

A pair of Bluebirds have claimed 1 of the Bluebird Houses. Tree Swallows are claiming the Bluebird House inside the Garden. This is just in time for the Humans to begin working in the Garden too.

Richard has taken a Cold. In the beginning stages, he was having fits of Sneezes. Yesterday morning just before Dawn, he was outside Sneezing. To his surprise, a Deer was snorting back. Richard would sneeze; the Deer would snort. And on and on they would go. He shined the flashlight in the direction of the sound, noting the Doe and her 2 Twins from last Season.

We still have a few Juncos. Last year, they were still observed in mid April. They will take off soon.

Melanie and Richard saw their 1st Butterflies yesterday. Richard said his was a Mourning Cloak; Melanie wasn't sure.

Glinda gave away the bulk of her extra Cabbage Plants yesterday. That felt good. She still needs to get some to Deleta and Hollis, and Jerry and Michelle. On Friday late afternoon, she (and the 2 other Humans) will be observed planting hers in the Garden. Yea.

Richard reporting hearing the Northern Crayfish Frog this morning. This amazing Frog's vocalization sounds like a Human Male Snoring.

The Humans have been observed eating outside. They are not using the Wood Stove and they turned off the Heat. One of these days, it will be cool again (perhaps soon). They will have to remember to turn the Heat back on.

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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Nature Notes

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