Thoughts of Early Summer - 6-30-08

Clear and cool on the mountain properties this morning....and forecast to be in the mid 50s tonight...Is anyone ready to build a fire on the first of July?

- A bit of rain yesterday, about .5", and the mountains appear fresh and crisp today. It is breezy and the humidity is low.

- A great day for a long bike ride through the mountains or a relaxing woodland hike.

- A beautiful week is forecast for the southern Cumberland Plateau...highs in the low 80s and nights pleasantly cool. Rain is possible again by the weekend.

- Attached is a photo taken recently of the male Goldfinch. No comment needed.

- Also pictured is the reason why feeding birds sometimes gets expensive! An apron on the metal pole worked for a time, but these industrious rodents eventually solved the puzzle. I am currently theorizing (again) on a plan to feed the squirrels and birds separately (I have a squirrel feeder nearby...but the squirrels much prefer the bird feeders). Not an easy task!

6-24-08 Observations

- Clear and cool on the mountain properties this morning.....with early AM temperatures in the upper 50s.

- I have been seeing several fawns recently. It has always amazed me how, due to innate factors, these young deer freeze when danger threatens. Often I have stepped near them while walking in fields with long grass, and they simply do not move...they flatten the ears, droop the head, continue the prone status and do not move...while the doe may flee, probably to draw attention away from the youngster (s).

- In the surrounding forests and fields, I could hear several Whippoorwills through the open windows last night....

- Attached is a recent photo of the Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) near Hemlock Park, one of the many nature parks within our mountain developments.

6-11-08 Observations

- Nice and warm this morning, with a brilliant sunrise.

- Three whitetail bucks walked through my yard yesterday morning, all with antlers in velvet. One of the deer was quite small, but with forks already formed...the other two, by fall, could be in the 'trophy' category. The deer appeared for a couple of minutes, constantly moving, and then became spooked and disappeared into the thick growth north of the cabin.

- New born fawns have been spotted recently. The young deer, which begin to walk just hours after birth, typically stay hidden in undergrowth or tall grass. They rely on camouflage, lack of scent, and their motionless state for protection. It usually works, but not always!

- Attached is a photo taken this morning of The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). Why these colorful reptiles like to spend considerable time in roadways is up for debate, but it is a dangerous way to spend a morning.

- Also attached is a photo of two common visitors, with contrasting lifestyles, to my feeders.....The Mourning Dove and a juvenile Eastern Chipmunk. The doves are always seemingly content and relaxed, but the same cannot be said for the nervous and industrious chipmunks!