I worked on the bottle wall today. Mid day I took a break as the mortar needs to harden before you can clean it up and go taller. Happened into my neighbors yard where she has nice shrubs that attract butterflies. Granted in was not suppose to reach 60 today so butterflies were not out much.
Anyway I found this Eastern Pine Elfin, an un common butterfly in NC, they have been seen here in recent years about every two years. Been thinking the timbering of the Lobolly Pines two tracts over last year might have hurt them, but they usually host on sapling Lobolly's and timbering makes lots of saplings.
One of my all time favorite butterflies. This one landed on an oak leaf and I placed the leaf with the elfin on it in a better location as the clouds and low temps kept it from flying off.
Look what I found about 300-400 yards from our property on the 350 acre tract! Three hives with two brood boxes in each hive. No wonder we have been seeing so many bees around here. Still I'm, placing a hive next to our pond.
Made some progress on the bottle wall today. See all the brown mortar, today's progress. Placing bottles like this can be very difficult, I like challenges. See it has about reached the grade. The leaves in green reaching out from the center where it'll bee a blue flower above grade. I'll be glad to get rid of those concrete blocks.
Don't think I mentioned it , last night American Toads started calling. So through out the day right now one can hear Spring Peepers, Upland Chorus Frogs, Pickerel Frogs and American Toads in the pond. Oh and see the water lilies in the water.
This is the second post today, I think it is only the second time I have done that....
16 comments:
Good progress on the bottle wall. Awesome butterfly photos.
Great butterfly photo Randy, nice he (she) sat so still for you! We sure have had a lot of spring sounds going on here. Had the sliding glass doors open off the bedroom and the Whippoorwill was singing. Sang all night long. We went out a little while ago and there were lighting bugs out already! It is March!! wow.
Red Buckeyes aren't hard to start from seed. Our method was to mimic Mother Nature....let it drop on the ground and gently step on it to make good soil contact. We then covered the pots (this was in containers) with a mesh to keep the squirrels out of the pots. Worked like a charm!
I will listen very carefully to see if I can figure out who is singing. thanks!
The bottle walls starts to look great! I just wish the big bottles put sideways will not break in the future, as it will be very difficult to fix. But the reflection of the wall in the water is beautiful.
That bottle wall is going to be really a great treasure!
Whippoorwill!
The bottle wall is coming along great! Interesting that you found those hives. I've never seen hives covered quite like that, I presume it's to guard against weather?
Very exciting...hearing the toads, and seeing a butterfly already. That means spring has definitely sprung down your way! Great job on the wall...can't wait to see it as you keep showing the progress.
Sweet little Elfin Randy. Looks like you are having fun with your wall and busy as a bee everywhere else. It snowed three inches today. Hearing toads or their cousins is a good ways off for us.
Hi Randy,
It sounds like a good spring for you so far. I love your wall! That butterfly is a beauty, too.
I came here because I didn't know if you subscribed to follow up comments. The reason the tree would come down is if the arborist says it's unsafe. The guy today said that big limb is for sure, and cutting it out would make the tree unstable. They'd have to cut out part of the tree across from it, and that may not leave enough of the tree for it to be viable or something. I can't remember what he said about that.
The tree is not dead. I'm not sure if it's dying, or what. I am so confused! The reason we called to have it pruned was because the branches were getting ready to grow into the house. Hearing about the holes and all came as a surprise. Maybe we should get another opinion. I forgot to do my research. I'll have to see if I can find out anything online. That can be a challenge.
I know there are woodpecker holes, and probably some kind of borers. I don't remember what kind he thought they were. That's another thing. I told him I don't use pesticides. He said what they'd use would just go into the roots of the tree. Well, those roots go into my flower beds.
If I lived on an acreage, I'd be more inclined to let nature take its course, but pedestrians walk under the tree. Thanks for letting me whine.
That's funny you found those hives. I wonder if any of our neighbors keep honeybees, we have so many here, although I have found a wild hive on our farm before.
Saw a Zebra Swallowtail puddling by the water trough today.
The wall's coming out great. Do you plan to place a different color for the flower on the top?
Great shot of the butterfly!
Need your help identifying two larvae.
http://inartliesmyheart.blogspot.com/2011/03/indecisive.html
The advance of spring ~ in all its glory! A great post, Randy.
Oooooh....liking the look of that wall!
This is amazing - your wall is coming along beautifully!!! :-) So, with the other bee hives nearby, will there be too much competition with the number of bees? (Showing my ignorance, here.)
the first photo is amazing. love the bottle wall! my beer bottle-edged garden is my favorite part of our yard :-) hopefully any future owners won't be put off by it!
Randy, can I ask you a liberal handyman question?? I need to retrofit balusters on my deck so clara doesn't fall off when she starts crawling. right now it's wide open between the floor and top rail. would it be easiest to install a bottom rail a few inches above the floor?
Post a Comment