Tag Archives: nature

The calm before the storm.

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As I sit here typing this post, a hurricane is blowing its way past us outside. Thankfully the worst of it will be felt to our north… and though we already have tree branches down and will probably lose power later this afternoon, I’m not too worried. Maine rarely sees hurricanes so people were panicking and buying every battery and bottle of water they could find, but we lived in coastal North Carolina for 17 years. That was the time to worry.

Last evening after putting away the porch and deck furniture, bringing bird feeders and hanging flower baskets inside and tying down the grill cover … we did what one does on the eve of a hurricane.

We went for ice cream.

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Cones in hand, we enjoyed the glorious show Mother Nature was putting on in the sky.

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These are untouched photos from my phone. It really was that fabulous.

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It was one of those sunsets you hate to see end.

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Tails down please.

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We have stinky visitors every night.

(Pardon the picture quality, I was shooting through a window in the dark)

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Thankfully they rarely spray each other and reserve their perfume for the raccoons or fox who get too close.

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But when I flip the deck light on and see four of the little striped darlings jostling each other for access to food?

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I want to holler tails down please!

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And enjoy a scent free evening.

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Chasing reflections.

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We were driving alongside Cobbosseecontee Lake last night on the way home from dinner.

The sun was setting and casting a fiery reflection on the water …

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But I could never manage to get a decent photo of it from the road.

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And as much as I wanted to pull into someone’s private driveway, get out of the car, climb up on their porch and take pictures… the husband wouldn’t let me.

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Eventually we crossed a little bridge and caught a clear view of the sun…

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But by then it was too far down to be truly magical.

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Oh well, I tried.

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No bees were harmed in the making of this post.

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I recently joined a FB group that shares photos of Maine wildlife… and seeing that we have a backyard full, I was anxious to add my critters to the mix.

I started with our chuckers eating watermelon because what’s cuter than that?

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This post was well received with dozens of comments and over 400 likes on the first day.

After that resounding success, I thought I would share my helpful hint about putting mint leaves on hummingbird feeders to repel bees naturally and without chemicals .

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That’s when things started to go wrong…

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I never said they didn’t.

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I’m not killing bees, just stopping them from driving my hummingbirds away.

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Bee feeders? Well good for you, but I’d rather not attract stinging insects to my deck.

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I don’t use red dye, I make my own nectar and put it in a red glass feeder.

To be fair the majority of comments were favorable and quite a few people tried it and thanked me. But it’s like they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

🤣

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Let’s play.

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Because you’re here, and it’s required.

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While I love palm tree clad tropical beach sunsets and the idea of cute cabana boys delivering endless margaritas, the reality of the heat which accompanies that fantasy makes me cranky just thinking about it.

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Great cities? They have a heartbeat and are filled with numerous ways to entertain, not to mention five star restaurants. The museums alone can keep me keep blissfully occupied for weeks. But the older I get? The more I appreciate a crowd free venue.

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My vacation choice is the mountains. Crisp, cool, pollution free air. Scenic vistas and breathtaking views. Unspoiled nature. That’s the vacation that lowers my blood pressure.

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These pictures were taken on our trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee 5 years ago.

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That’s my perfect vacation.

Where are you headed?

Beach, mountains or city…..

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Why does my egg look like a brain?

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I opened up a dozen eggs the other day and found this….

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One extremely odd looking specimen.

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After posting the weirdo on FB, I was told by my chicken people it could have been laid by an old or heat stressed bird.

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To he honest I was surprised it made it into the dozen container at all.

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It seems like a prime opportunity to hatch an Einstein chicken was lost…

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Miscellaneous Maine

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You never know what summer in my state will bring. Last year it was hot and dry, this year we’ve had rain every other day. July was brutally hot and humid but most of August has been pleasant.

The other morning?

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It was downright brisk, which I love… but by noon it was almost 85 degrees, which I don’t. They say if you don’t like the weather in Maine wait a minute. Or in this case 6 hours.

Have you ever had a Facebook memory make you cry? Mine did today when it reminded me we lost our beloved Huffington 11 years ago.

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He was run over by a speeding car in front of our house and I swear I still haven’t gotten over it. I know you shouldn’t have favorite children or pets, but this little guy was special and is still very much missed.

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Talk about overkill.

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I like boats as much as the next girl, but this offends every New England frugal sensibility I have.

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Random backyard woodchuck shots…

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Because I can.

❤️

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It’s weird, but it works.

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I’ve been battling bees on my hummingbird feeders for a while now. Once they find a sugar source, they’re hard to get rid of… but I think I’ve found a solution.

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Mint leaves.

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Bees hate the smell and hummingbirds can’t smell at all so it’s the perfect deterrent.

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If I can get the hummers used to the new leafy attachments.

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They kept buzzing around, not sure what to make of it.

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I didn’t think it would be a big deal. They drink nectar from flowers and flowers have leaves.

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A few brave souls have made peace with it so I’m hoping the rest will soon.

The bees?

Gone!

👍

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