Signs of Spring...

As "Calendar Spring" approaches, I wistfully hope for actual Spring in the Adirondacks too. The signs that I look for are returning birds, the American Robins and Canada Geese. The Crocus and Snowdrops in small colorful clumps. The days becoming longer and skies bluer, the same signs most people look for too. However, there are probably a few differences too. My favorite Spring bird is actually the Turkey Vulture. I truly believe that Spring has arrived in the "North Country" when I see this amazing bird soaring high overhead. Turkey Vultures are sometimes referred to as "Nature's Garbage Men". Their heads are bald to facilitate eating carrion without getting "yucky" stuff in their feathers. In the heat of Summer to keep from getting too hot, they will urinate on their legs and should you get too close they will vomit on you. But, they soar like a ballerina on therms.

And life continues...

While returning home yesterday, I chose another route to my home. On a less traveled road, I observed a "bird feeding station". Someone, using a snowmobile, had moved three road killed deer carcasses to the middle of a snow covered field. I pulled the car to the side of the road and took my camera from my purse. The telemacro feature on my camera allowed me to get several photos of birds feeding on the carcasses. On one carcass there were two immature Bald Eagles feeding and on another was a Common Raven.
I have been feeding the birds all winter and the price of seeds this year has been extremely costly. In addition to seeds, I also put out unsalted peanuts, and suet. If I had the means to move "roadkill" food to my meadow, I would do it too. The opportunity to feed and photograph Hawks, Eagles, Ravens and Crow for free is terrific.

Below the snows...

It is rainy and cold today, I am really yearning for Spring. Especially after a taste of it at the Philadelphia Flower Show. We actually saw a clump of blooming Snowdrops and most of the snow had disappeared completely in Pennsylvania and Southern New York State. Here in the Adirondacks the snow can last into the month of May. In years past I have shoveled snow off my gardens, to find Helleborus (Lenten Rose) and Daffodils with sickly white leaves and buds, trying to struggle through wet heavy mounds of old snow. Within the day the leaves start greening. I hesitate to remove the snow too quickly because it acts as a blanket, when we get cold fronts which can drop temperature to 10 to 20 below zero. Last year the temperatures in April dropped and held at 20 below for almost 2 weeks. Many of the early small passerines (perching birds), such as Eastern Blue Birds could not find food and adequate shelter and froze to death. I actually found a pair in one of our nesting boxes that didn't survive, and dispaired that we wouldn't enjoy the wonders of observing the nesting process that spring. However, another pair arrived a few week later and we watched them nest twice that year.

Signs of Spring!

My husband and I enjoyed a lovely walk today. The temps. were in the 40's and the sun was trying to join us. The West Canada Creek is flowing fast and carrying large chunks of ice away. The lichens on the trees were gray green and lush from yesterday's rain. The snow is melting, not such a pretty sight because it covered with dirt (actually sand) and is really dingy. But, it is melting.
Eight Common Merganser males and one female were swimming on the Reservoir. Over head were several flocks of Canada Geese. The tree buds appear a little plumper. And, on a trip into Rochester, New York we saw several Red Winged Black Birds.
As the snow begins to disappear, I shake granules of Repels-All onto my gardens. It contains all natural ingredients and is repulsive to most critters. It contains garlic, clove, fish oil, onion and wintergreen and several other natural ingredients and works extremely well in deterring skunk, raccoons, many insects and of course, deerly beloved.

Alpines in Troughs...

Container plantings, especially troughs (molded containers made of peat, sand and cement, see photo) are another way of deterring the deerly beloved. The alpines, are the plants that grow above the timber line and have adapted to the cold, harsh conditions. Like the trees in higher elevations they too are small. Many Nurseries and Garden Centers now sell potted alpines, in many varieties. They resemble tiny jewels in the trough containers. Perhaps because of their size the deer don't notice them. My rock garden is adorned with alpines too. A favorite is Corydalis lutea which puts forth a yellow bloom in May and continues to bloom until the first frost in October. Another favorite Lewisia cotyedon (see photo) is named after Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame. Lewisia is a jewel that does well in the trough, in a gritty soil mixture of coarse sand, chick grit, and perlite. The North American Rocks Garden Society offers seeds to its members and the website is invaluable for learning about rock gardens and trough planting.

She's Back...

The Philadelphia Flower Show was magnificent!!! As we walked through the doors and a riot of color, fragrant, sound, and sights assaulted the senses, our tired, weary worn, winter tired bodies were instantly renewed. We wanted to sing, shout and photograph every delightful flower, vignette, and scene within the show. This years' theme was Italy and every major city was represented in floral majesty. Rome with its marvelous columns, fountains, and statues. Milan, the fashion center, was a floral vogue of dresses, shoes, purses, and hats made of flowers or plant materials.
Viewing vignettes of villages, a plethora of horticulture and multitude of Nursery and Garden vendors within the acres and acres of the Philly Flower show, we sun deprived Northerners, rejuvenated and renewed our gardener souls. Now I am downloading and manipulating the more than a 1000 photos into a CD, for friends.
Tomorrow, information about some of the plants and gardening ideas learned at the show.

First Things First...

I shall be gone for a few days, I am off to the Philadelphia Flower Show. The orchid photo was taken at last year's show. So were the alpine plants in the trough. More about Alpine Plants, Rock Gardening and Container planting when I return.
Think SPRING!!!!