Tag Archives: nature

Uncategorized

A mantis mystery.

18 Comments

.

On a walk with Lord Dudley Mountcatten the other day I noticed he found something in front of the garage.

.

.

Batting it this way and that, I stepped in to rescue the poor praying mantis he was harassing and carried it to my flower garden.

Our yard used to be full of these delightful insects (Females bite the males heads off after mating. What’s not to love?) but in the past few years we’ve seen their number drastically decline.

.

.

And while I’m used to the green version, this mantis was completely brown.

.

.

So I’m not sure if it was a different species…

.

.

Or just going through some sort of molt.

.

.

Either way, I was pleased with the rescue.

His Lordship on the other hand, was not.

P.S…. did a little research on the mating ritual of the mantis and have to share.

Males of some mantid species mate more effectively when decapitated. Why? A nerve center in the male’s head inhibits mating until a female is clasped. If this nerve is removed, such as when the female bites off the male’s head, all control is lost and the result is repeated copulation.

So there is a reason….

🤣

.

Uncategorized

Let’s go the fair… a fowl finale.

17 Comments

.

Because it wouldn’t be a fair without some chickens.

.

.

There were quite a few prize winning divas strutting their stuff.

.

.

But this all black rooster took the prize for bizarre.

.

.

The next blue ribbon winner?

.

.

Must have won for bad hair day.

.

.

How do these Polish even see?

.

.

There were fancy pigeons, but to be honest these made me sad.

.

.

They’ve clearly been bred for over exaggerated foot feathers and the poor things could hardly walk.

.

.

But the peacocks were lovely.

.

.

And this duck who decided no one could drink because he wanted a bath was funny.

.

.

We ended with a very curious goose who followed me all around the enclosure. I believe he was for sale and wanted to come home with us… but alas, my husband refused.

.

Uncategorized

The calm before the storm.

19 Comments

.

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.

.

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

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

.

.

.

.

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

.

Uncategorized

Tails down please.

18 Comments

.

We have stinky visitors every night.

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

.

.

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

.

.

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

.

.

I want to holler tails down please!

.

.

And enjoy a scent free evening.

.

Uncategorized

Chasing reflections.

21 Comments

.

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 …

.

.

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

.

.

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.

.

.

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

.

.

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

.

.

Oh well, I tried.

.

Uncategorized

No bees were harmed in the making of this post.

23 Comments

.

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?

.

.

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 .

.

.

That’s when things started to go wrong…

.

.

I never said they didn’t.

.

.

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

.

.

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

.

.

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.

🤣

.

Uncategorized

Let’s play.

28 Comments

.

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

.

.

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.

.

.

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.

.

.

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.

.

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

That’s my perfect vacation.

Where are you headed?

Beach, mountains or city…..

.