My Pet Sunflower

A month or so ago I was pulling some weeds (well, unwanted weeds that is ;-) from the B Garden and accidentally pulled up a small sunflower.  She came up with very few roots and it was hot as the blazes and I knew if I tried to put her back in the ground she'd never make it.  

I stuck her in a leftover pot of old dirt I had stashed behind the Wool House and tucked her rapidly wilting body into the shade.  She lay collapsed, leaning on the side of my horse trailer for a couple of days, but I kept giving her a drink every time I walked past and she began to slowly perk up.

I staked her up using a dowel rod and some soft yarn and gradually moved her back into the hot sun.  Being a sunflower, she was happy to be back near her friends and she eventually began to grow again and one day I noticed a small bud forming on the top of her head.  

And then she bloomed :-).

 

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Watch a beautiful (and big!) orb weaver spin and knit/weave a large web between the garage roof and the zinnia garden. ❤️ 🕷 ❤️

A post shared by Sara Dunham (@thecrazysheeplady) on Sep 3, 2020 at 7:46pm PDT

 

Instagram followers may remember this video of the spider spinning the web from the corner of the garage roof down to a zinnias.

The sweet sunflower took over when she got big enough :-).

And look at all the pollen she's made for her bee friends.  They've been having quite a party!  

Her big golden petals are starting to fall off, but she has some new buds coming on so the party will continue a little while longer.  And once her blooms are all dried up, she'll have plenty of seeds to feed the birds this winter...but I'll save a few to stick in her old pot next spring :-).

If You Build It They Will Come...Or Not

 

After the milkweed took off like...a weed...this spring I had high hopes for a record number of monarch butterflies this summer.  I've only seen four so far and none of them stayed more than a couple minutes and I can't find any evidence of egg laying, much less caterpillars.  

I can only guess that maybe the cold spring caused problems?  Or maybe I should say I hope that is just the problem.  I'd hate to think the loss of habitat and too many pesticides have pushed them to the point where it might be too late to help them.

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Biggest swallowtail I’ve ever seen! Hopefully it’s a female and she’s getting ready to head to The B Garden to deposit a bunch of eggs 🤞. . #pollinatorgarden #butterflies #swallowtail

A post shared by Sara Dunham (@thecrazysheeplady) on Aug 2, 2020 at 12:45pm PDT

I have seen a few more swallowtail butterflies than normal this year, but interestingly they have all been in pretty rough shape.  Even this one has a tattered "tail".

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The B (birds, bees, butterflies and blooms) Garden just gets better and better. Only one or maybe two Monarchs, but several Swallowtails this year. Tons of bees from tiny to huge and even a hummingbird working the flowers. The sunflowers and buckwheat are a big hit with several different types of birds. The Goldfinches are moving in now. ❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Sara Dunham (@thecrazysheeplady) on Aug 7, 2020 at 7:45am PDT

Here's a short video tour of the B Garden.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this messy place full of blooming and seeded out buckwheat, sunflowers, milkweed and all sorts of bright colors, shapes and sizes tucked here and there.  So have tons of wild bees, some smaller moths and butterflies, lots of birds and even a couple bunnies :-).

Monarchs!

Well, one. One monarch. But more are surely coming!  

How could they resist this buffet :-D. 

Last year I planted milkweed seeds in two of the raised beds and my cousin and I transplanted 10 plants from the back field into the lavender garden.  Nine of the 10 plants came back this year with extras on the side and one of the raised beds is so packed with milkweed plants that I haven't even had to weed it all summer.

I've also planted buckwheat and scattered several packets of seed mixes for butterflies, bees and birds.  There are still a few lavender plants left after three years of way too wet winters and a few volunteer sunflowers have popped up as well.  I'm just now seeing some mixed flowers and I can't wait until the whole garden is blooming!

This picture shows how many milkweeds are packed in the raised bed just outside the lavender, now butterflies, birds and bees garden.

This picture maybe better shows how tall they are.

I tried (once again) to plant some vegetables this spring, Victory Garden style, and (once again) in the event of a zombie apocalypse, we're going to be some of the first folks out.  But we'll have lots of pretty flowers ;-).

Here's a new puzzle that ought to keep you busy for awhile.  Enjoy!

An Amazing Afternoon

Three years ago, I'd attended a library presentation by RAPTOR, Inc., a bird of prey rescue, rehabilitation and education center outside Cincinnati, Ohio.  The program was fabulous and I've been interested in the organization ever since.  After trying unsuccessfully to make one of their open house days, I finally scheduled a private "behind the scenes" tour.  It was outstanding.

After a short introductory talk, we headed out back and they brought out Scarlet, a Red-Tailed Hawk, and shared her story.  

Scarlet...

After rehabilitating from a fractured wing as best she could, she's been working in the education program for around 15 years.  All the permanent residents at the center are there because they are unable to survive in the wild.

We were then taken around all the bird enclosures and told about each bird as an individual and as a species.  They also discussed the different styles of housing and perches and how they accommodate injured birds who aren't able to fly up to standard perches or boxes. 

Great Horned Owl - The Tiger of the Sky - look for the ear tufts.

Barred Owl - their eyes are different - almost sleepy looking.

A partial albino, also known as Leucistic, Red-Tailed Hawk

Apparently this can happen with other birds as well.  I believe my dad said he's seen a leucistic Cardinal.

This is where my photo tour ends.  I took pictures in the beginning, but ended up getting distracted by all the beautiful birds and interesting information and asking endless questions... We also saw a Bald Eagle, a Turkey Vulture, two Eastern Screech Owls and another Great Horned Owl.  You can see and read about them on their ambassador page.

We weren't able to go into the actual flight enclosures (one is 140' long!) they use for rehabilitation and testing, but were shown the live camera feeds.  We then moved into an indoor classroom to meet Storm, a gorgeous and loudly opinionated barn owl who I wish I'd taken a video of...but didn't think about it until we were on the way home :-/.

Tim has seen a barn owl here twice this fall/winter, so we are now going to install a barn owl box in our barn.  The only other owl I hear around here is a Screech Owl.  I haven't seen one though since our visitor back in 2011 (good old blog :-).  I'm hoping as our "woods" continues to grow out back that more owls will find our farm welcoming. 

A big thing they talked about was dangers to these birds - one of the biggest being cars.  Apple cores around here get saved for Cheeto (her favorite treat...besides Cheetos ;-), but if you are tempted to toss yours out the car window, don't.  That draws in small rodents, right along the road, which in turn draws in birds of prey.  From now on my banana peels will be saved for a mid field toss once I get home.  Poison is another huge danger.  

If you ever get the chance to visit RAPTOR, Inc. or attend one of their public events, do it.  And if you are not somewhat local, do a search for a similar organization in your area.  I wish I could remember exactly how many birds of prey RAPTOR, Inc. rescued and rehabilitated last year, but I know it was well into the hundreds. 

These programs are incredibly important to the birds themselves and the people they educate and inspire.  We were thrilled to experience a small part and help support the work that they do.

My Magic Hat

My first finished item of 2020.  It's just the 3rd folks, so I'm really killing it so far!  Actually I basically finished it at the tail end of 2019 (better late than never!) and just added six extra stitches yesterday ;-).

Why did I add six extra stitches yesterday?  Let me bring you up to speed...

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Well, I’m taking this as a good omen for the new year! I (finally) finished my Forest from the Trees hat and I added some red and blue duplicate stitches in the trees to symbolize Peep (my favorite cardinal 😍) and another favorite bird, blue jays (thanks to @juliezickefoose Jemima) and as I am (still 🙄) sitting on the porch, a pair of blue jays just came in and checked out the feeder! I very, very rarely see them here. They apparently didn’t like my “cooking” and didn’t stay, but what a surprise! I’m thinking the hat drew them in and maybe it’s magical 🤔. Must cast on an owl hat. No wait, add owls to magic hat! BRB 😀.

A post shared by Sara Dunham (@thecrazysheeplady) on Jan 1, 2020 at 6:37am PST

If you look closely (click to biggify) at the top picture, you can see the two brown stitches now up in the tree.  I actually added two "owls"...a pair...and then decided I wanted three owls, so they are a small family.  And yes, I realize that I probably don't want a owl mixed up in a tree full of my favorite smaller birds, but these are kind owls and are only here "visiting" ;-).

Here's where things went a little...awkward.  Last night I had a dream that I was sitting on the end of the bed and the little blond chicken was sitting next to me (yes, in the house :-o) and outside the window were five new brownish-black chickens gathered together looking like they, too, would like to come in the house...so there may be a glitch or two.

Project notes:

This is the Forest for the Trees hat by Mary Scott Huff.  

I used a partial skein of the new white Lamb Camp Legacy yarn and I dyed it using Jacquard acid dyes.  I promise I will get the yarn posted soon.  It's lovely.

I noticed on the projects page that some folks had trouble with the hat being too short, so I added three extra rows...and if I make it again I will probably add three more somewhere.  I am hat challenged...or pointy headed.

I used duplicate stitches to add some cardinals, blue jays and owls and changed the top to brown to look like a pine cone :-).

It was a fun knit and I give it a thumbs up...and will now wait patiently for my owls to show up.  Owls...Not Chickens.

The Most Loved Sunflower

I was hoping to get some Peep and Peep-squeaks pictures this morning, but...wait, have I talked about Peep on the blog?  Peep is my cardinal friend who yells at me when the feeder is empty...and has taught all his kids how to train me as well.  Two batches of kids so far this summer and I'm wondering if he's got a third on the way.  

Anyway, the sunflower next to the bird feeder is a volunteer, growing up between the cracks in the sidewalk.  It's been one of my favorites this summer.  Click to biggify and look at all the blooms!  And all the birds.   I'm not sure if it will produce seeds this fall, but it's been a favorite flower perch for everyone waiting their turn at the feeder.

Blooms

It's been a week (since I last posted) and it's been a week.  We're all okay, basically, but the summer has taken a toll on everyone around here...except maybe Saint Tim...who's a summer loving freak...and that's all I'm saying about that...freak ;-).

Hank has had issues with the heat and also has an ulcerated lesion on one elbow that doesn't want to heal.  Salt ended up with an abscess on a foot that is slowly healing.  Tilly still has her ongoing band aid butt.  Renny got an infected hair follicle that had to be lanced.  Big Moose got a cough that needed doctoring and now Frankie's got a hitch in his get-along.  I'm getting a hitch in my get-along just trying to doctor on everyone :-o.

So it's raining AND pouring...but not actually rain...which we could use.  So how about some pictures of some of my birds, bees and butterfly plants?

Sunflowers.

Pink buckwheat.

White buckwheat - flowers and grains.

Milkweed mixed in with the white and pink buckwheat.

These are the short sunflowers.  Somehow I got some packets that were supposed to 12' and 15' feet tall.  These are the 12's, but they are probably only 10' tall. 

The 15's are probably 12' but still a pretty darn tall plant and kind of fun.

I planted milkweed, dill and parsley for monarchs and swallowtails.  The birds and the wasps are getting them all :-(.

I guess I should start bringing them in to the safety of the porch when I find them, but honestly...I'm maxed out right now...and I feel bad about that...on top of everything else.  Maybe things will settle down this week.

A friend posted on IG that every day there is "one less day of summer".  We (except Saint Tim) are feebly counting it down to ZERO.

Gone To The Birds

"This place has completely gone to the birds."

In "25 words or less" I've been watching out for two barn swallow fledglings that left the nest too early and ended up on the barn floor and driveway.  Yesterday was a day of learning.  Today I felt like I had things much more under control.  Crazy birds.

I couldn't get to their actual nest to try to stick them back in.  It's somewhere above the roll up door.  Turns out both babies and parents seem to prefer this much roomier basket.  The babies had "so much more room for activities", the parents swooped in and out feeding them, sometimes perching on the handle and even carried droppings out to keep it clean.  

When the shade ran out this afternoon I tried to move the basket into the barn and the older fledgling flew away.  The younger one should be gone tomorrow.  In the meantime, I'm kind of enjoying having them around.

Feeding

Practicing

P.S. This is one of my better baskets, not one I'd normally use to hold something messy like baby birds.  However, I couldn't get to my more everyday baskets in the garage because a Carolina wren has nested on the basket shelf, yes, using one of my baskets.

Nothing To See Here

"Cheep, cheep. Nothing to see here."

"Nope, nothing at all."

"Nothing to see except maybe these pretty flowers.  Aren't they pretty?"

"I SAID...nothing to see here!"

I'm guessing by now you've seen it ;-).  This was the first of the Wool House robins to fledge.  The second one went yesterday late afternoon and the third this morning.  They always look to me like they should have waited one more day.  

I was worried these babies wouldn't make it.  The momma kept getting too stressed about people up around the Wool House and garage that I thought on two occasions she'd abandoned the nest.  I'd have thought after her first set of babies that she'd be used to us by now.

Surely she's done for the summer.  Right?  

There's a new puzzle for you :-).  Enjoy!

Wool In A Bird Nest

Or a Wool-li-am bird nest :-D.

Do you see him/her?

How about now?

I've seen lots of wool in bird nests over the years, but I've never seen a bird go straight to the source ;-).  

This little bird fledged this morning.  I'm not sure where it started, but it ended up hopping around in Easy Breezy.  It panicked when it saw me and ended up hiding in Woolliam's curls.  I was worried it might get smushed or tangled up so I moved it back into the straw where the parents could find him.

Ducklings On The Pond

I flushed this momma duck and her babies when I mowed along the pond dam yesterday.  I quickly mowed everything near the pond and then got out of their way.  About an hour and a half later I quietly snuck back to the pond, tucked in behind a thick cover of pines.  

I took two pictures, one out of focus, this one and by the third picture they were already under cover on the pond's edge.  Click, click, click and they were gone!  

I was fully zoomed in with a 200mm lens and I cropped this picture quite a bit, so I obviously wasn't close.  I'd left the dogs at the barn, so they hadn't clued her in either.  I was behind some thick pines and I didn't move a single branch.

How on earth did she immediately know I was there? 

Animals are amazing!

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For anyone following IG/FB last night, the dog Auntie Monica and I picked up off 32 was reunited with her owner today :-).  The big take away from the pick up was the fact that there were 8-10 cars stopped on the road trying to help catch this confused, scared, possibly injured, elderly dog.  

Sometimes people are amazing, too :-).

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A big thank you to everyone who has tried successfully or unsuccessfully to leave me a comment on the last couple posts.  I've changed the settings once again, so maybe this one will work. 

Unfortunately I won't be able to respond to questions directly anymore, but I can in a new separate comment.  I think there may be a toggle to "email follow up comments" which should notify you that I've responded.  I am so sorry this has to be so hard.

Computer issues are Not Amazing.

Fast Food

This nest is on the corner of the Wool House and was actually built last year and remodeled for this year.  Look at all the wool and yarn :-).  

I'm not sure how momma birds do it.  All those open mouths.  I guess they are able to somehow keep track of who's been fed each trip.  It looks like she fed half of the worm to one baby and the other half to another.  I didn't notice that until I looked at the pictures.

In and back out in a flash!