New Toy

My new PlantCam arrived on Friday, and I spent the weekend running a series of test.
I have yet to form a strong opinion, and I plan to put it to the test during the upcoming week.
To capture this picture, I set the camera 15" from my suit cage. I programed the camera to snap a picture every 30 seconds. I must say that, this is a very easy camera to use.

If you click on the picture, you will see it captures some nice detail.

I will try it in a variety of scenarios and provide detailed feedback here.

Jan 29h Beach Day

When we awoke this morning the wind chill was 1 below zero. This is the type of weather that separates true New Englanders.

Mrs Terry's, kindergarten class celebrated beach day today. Tommy dressed the part and when I told him Girls like sunglasses, he decided he would wear them.

Now that I Look back at the ride to school, maybe I should not have sent him barefoot!!

Friends

Our $40 pound cat now is up to $158. She came home with a serious bladder infection and used Tommy's bed as a litter box.
I'm happy to say she is doing much better, and Tommy is very forgiving.

I do not believe we will have a issue with Kopper and Callie.

51 going on ?

I remember a few years back, Jeanne called one afternoon to wish me a happy birthday. Up until that point in the day, I had forgotten it was my birthday. After my Mother had passed away, my birthday wasn't all that important. I think birthdays should be spent celebrating your Mother. I do miss spending time with her on that day.

When I turned 50, Jeanne asked, what I wanted for my birthday? Being practical, I said 50 lbs of black oil sunflower seeds. I was thrilled with that, and Jeanne topped it with 100 lbs for Christmas. I must say, I also get one of Jeanne's homemade lasagnas.

Today I turned 51, and I threw all practicality out the window. When asked, I said I want a Plant Cam. Not only did I say I want one, but like a six year old, I said, I really need one. Life will be incomplete if I don't get one. Jeanne took the hint, and gave me the card and said go order it.
Now I sit by the window watching for the UPS truck. I check the tracking number online every hour to track its current location. Even though it is not scheduled to arrive until Monday.

If this Camera lives up to the manufacturers claims,
The "Time lapse PlantCam is a weatherproof digital camera that takes photos or videos at set time intervals. The camera can automatically stitch together still photos to create a movie of your plants growing in fast forward. It's also fun for creating time lapse movies of parties, construction, weather and more"!

This is going to be so much fun. Just think, I was born during a the time of Black and White TV, no remote controls, and Leave It To Beaver. Now I can film a banana turning brown with my own Time Lapse camera.

I ask, Does it get any better than that?

River and Rain

One of the things about living on a river, you have to appreciate change. With a little rain the landscape changes dramatically. I do not think I could ever live anywhere that the only change you notice, is when your neighbor parks a new car the his driveway.
Today the river flows high and the woods are full of water.

I Love This River!!!


Top Photo After The Rain
Bottom Photo Before

Top Photo After The Rain.
Bottom Photo Before Rain.

River and Rain

A couple miles up river the US Geological Survey, (USGS) maintains a river gauge that monitors the height and the flow of the river. This gauge can be accessed in real time from any computer. The USGS maintains thousands of these gauges on rivers through out the US, and everyone that lives on a river should access this site. We have found this to be a very valuable resource, and if I might stretch it a bit , and say, a critical resource.
Yesterdays rain did not concern me. I knew the river could handle what was coming, but, I always find it interesting to monitor it. In the past we have found ourselves glued to this site, while the waters rose up around us. We get a overwhelming sense of relief when the blue line starts to level off, and turn downward.

The graphs below are from this past week. At approximately 12pm 1-25-2010, yesterday afternoon the river stared to climb. The gauge height was 3.5' and was moving at 150 Cubic Feet Per Second.(cfs)
When the rain stopped at 4:30 pm the height registered at 5.5, and the flow rate was at 752 cfs, and it still continued to raise for several more hours.
Just before midnight, it started to level off at 7.73', with the flow rate at 1080 cfs. I placed a red arrow a the turning point, and a green arrow which is the point the river started to raise.

Tree Hollows

When I was much younger, I read a book titled, "My Side Of The Mountain" by Jean Craighead George, about a boy, Sam Gribly, who runs away and creates a home for himself in a Hollow Tree.
I have a deep appreciation for hollow trees. Tree hollows are a valuable, and often critical resource for many species of wildlife .
All the Woodpeckers use hollows along with, Bluebirds, Frogs, Screech Owls, Fox, Opossum, Kingfisher, Wood Duck, Snake, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Barred Owl, Weasel, Bear, Tree Swallow, Spider, Ants, Honey Bees, Mice, Squirrels, Chickadee, American Goldeneye, Mink, Skunk, Termite, Raccoon, Gnomes, Bobcat, Salamander, Snails, Bats, the list is endless.
The displacement or death of wildlife species dependant on those hollows is directly related to the removal of hollow trees.

I wandered our land and recorded many of the hollows.

And now, I must confess, "I really wanted to be Sam Gribley"

Make a Smilebox slideshow

There Is A Mouse In The House

There is a mouse in the house and her name is Ralph.
Have you ever heard, the amount of noise a mouse can create when they live in your wall? I sometimes wake in he middle of the night, thinking that a Grizzly Bear was ripping thru the walls. I bought a live mouse trap and caught our first invader. The problem now is the kids think it is much to cold to release her outdoors. So much to Jeanne's dismay, I agreed we will keep Ralph until spring , at which time we will release her out away from the house.

"I maybe be wrong" but I think we have some cats that are forgetting what the requirements are to be a cat. Keek needs to stop bringing the mice in and releasing them, Zoe needs to learn how to catch them and stop playing with them. And it is to soon to judge Callie's mouse caching abilities.

Right Place Right Time

Perhaps, from time to time I believe Jeanne questions my sanity. Truth be told, so do I.
I'm not sure why, but I am so excited about my little coup today. I obtained all these nursery pots free. Hundreds of them! Maybe Billions! I don't know what I am going to plant in them, but I now have the pots when I think of something. I am a little disappointed, Jeanne has not come outside to admire them. She even appeared to have a attitude when I woke her up and asked her if she was sure she didn't want to get up and see them tonight?

If she doesn't smother me in my sleep, I may go back for more..

A Very Brave Trooper

Kopper checks out Jordan's shiny new PINK cast. She first fell on the ice, and a couple days later she fell while playing with her brother. She really did not show any signs that she broke her wrist. Of coarse Dr Eve ( that's me ) said it wasn't broken, but Mom always knows better and knew she just wasn't herself, and took Jordan to the ER, just to be safe. We all were a bit shocked when they said her wrist was broken, She had to wait a couple of days before they would put a cast on it and the Dr was very surprised that she had not taken anything for the pain. If it had been me I would still be in bed with a Morphine drip, and a bell for room service. At least it was not my fault, like it was when she fractured her big toe.

I'm very proud of her courage!!

The New Kid

Last week I emailed a picture to Jeanne while she was at work, of a pretty Calico Cat being kept at the Mansfield Pound. She told me, she wants her, and go rescue her NOW!!! Because I always do as I am told, Callie now lives here. Her name was Twyanna, but she doesn't look like a Twyanna so we picked the name most people name their Calico Cats."Callie" When I asked why not spell it Cali, I was told I would have to fight that one with Jordan, and because I would never win this fight, we spell it Callie. I believe her owners were evicted and a few cats were left with a friend who decided she did no want them.
Callie is very sweet, very friendly 2 year old, and has taken over the boy's room. She is welcome here and the battle will begin about who's cat she is,The Boy, Jeanne, or Jordan? She still has to get comfortable with Kopper and I know that will be no problem. Kopper gets along with everything except squirrels and Jeanne's brother Johnny.

1st Year Of Blogging

One year ago I became a "BLOGGER" and after posting 95 times, I must say this has been a blast. I have posted pictures of Eagles, Otters, Deer, Kids, a Fence Post and some Stumps. I have told some stories, and shared some of the fun we have here. "I still don't know what would inspire me to write about a fence post." What does inspire me, is the fact that we are living on a six acre dream. Everything I ever wanted in a piece of land we have here. The bird life here can be compared to any wildlife sanctuary. Living on a river is at times very tranquil and other times extremely challenging. But it is always fascinating. The river attracts a wide variety of wild creatures and they consistently surprise and delight us. Its all about the river.
This year I hope I will be posting detailed updates and pictures of our house raising. This complex project will change our lives dramatically. I also plan at getting better with the camera and hope to get a picture of a Kingfisher, Heron, Common Merganser, Bluebird, Marbled Salamander,Garden Spider, and the list goes on.
I will produce a GIANT PUMPKIN this year and you will see it here.
Thank you to all that read my blog and thanks to all of you that leave a comment on it, or in person. I do appreciate the feed back, and it really means a great deal to me.

Stump With A Story

This stump has a story. It is not the story of how a seed took hold, sprouted, and grew into a tree.
This is a story about the day I cut it down and about my little friend,"KeeK"
The bank of the river is high in this location and when the river rises this area becomes an island. On one side the river turns into a powerful torrent and the other side is a shoulder deep depression that fills with water with a bit of a current.
A few years back, or more, the river was high, the low lying area had filled with water, and the island had formed. The problem was Keek was on the island and very scared. When I approached her she climbed a tree that hung out over the river. I tried to reach her by kayak, but this scared her farther up the tree and out over the river.
The river continued to rise and the strip of island would be submerged by morning. I kept my Kayak ready if Keek should fall into the river, but how was she going to get her to safety of dry land.
I picked this tree because it was tall enough to form a bridge from the slowly disappearing island to the safety of higher ground. I had to wade through waist deep freezing cold water to the house for a saw. The problem was I did not have a chainsaw at the time, so I grabbed the only saw I had, a small old dull bow saw, the type used to cut your own Christmas tree. With saw in hand I waded back out to the island and started to cut. I cut and cut and cut for more then 2 hours into the night, standing in ice cold water until finally the tree fell perfectly and formed the bridge that Keek needed to cross. I then waded back through the depression that was now chest deep, back to the house and into a hot shower. By the time I crawled out of the shower Keek was curled up on the bed sound asleep.
The next morning the area that was a island, was now completely under water.

So this stump has a story and I think I will let it stay.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Spring Robin?

Today is Jan 11 2010 and while sitting up in my tree I spotted this American Robin. Could this be a sign that Spring is around the corner? Most of us associate the return of the Robin as a true sign of Spring. I really wish it was true. The fact is not all Robins migrate down to warm tropical temperatures.
During the Spring and Summer when they are feeding on insects and earthworms, they are easily spotted on the ground in your front yard. During Winter months the pockets of Robins that overwinter are feeding on Berries and Fruits, and this food source is found in woodlands and thickets. When a source of food is difficult to find, Robins move farther south. When food source is more readily available, they seem to overwinter in northern locales in higher numbers.

So what can we use as a indicator that Spring is near?
Try a Calender and put a X on March 20th.
Or!
When you see a Robin pull a Earthworm from the ground, you should be safe to think Spring.

Optical Illusion?

I think many backyard bird enthusiast take the BlueJay for granted. You hear about the striking Red in the Red Cardinal, or the beautiful Yellow in the Goldfinch. You do not often hear mention of the Bluejay. I think this is such a amazing creature of incredible beauty.

Did you know that the Bluejay like this one at my feeding station, and the Eastern Bluebird may be an optical illusion?

If you want to read an outstanding article, click the link below.

The Science Behind Blue Feathers

Fill Those Feeders

I have been a bird watcher all my life. During our cold, grey, New England Winters, it only takes the small patch of red on the head of a Downy Woodpecker to brighten up the outdoors.
It is a satisfying feeling when doing something as simple as filling your bird feeders will make life a little easier for such a beautiful creature.
It takes a great amount of energy to flap those wings and to produce the body heat to survive.

Lets all keep those feeders full.

Red Squirrels

It was sometime last year when I realized we had some tiny Red Squirrels living here on the homestead. My neighbor Neil, who happens to be a walking encyclopedia on Birds, told me he had seen them in the Fir trees in the front yard.
The red squirrel eat a variety of foods including insects, seeds, nuts, fruits, and pine seeds or cones. We try to help them thru the winter and put out plenty of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds and Whole Kernel Corn that they seem to devour. They are much smaller then the Grey and a whole lot faster. So fast that I wondered how I would get a picture of them. The answer... Open the bedroom widow, sit in the warmth and wait.

I Can See You Now....

I do not wish to guess what the final straw was. It could have been the number of times I said, "No Honey,I do not see the trail of mud I tracked in." or how about,"What dishes in the sink?" it could even been the number of times I mistook the boy for the dog, and let me say this in my defence, Tommy will not need to worry about Fleas and Ticks for a long time. I think for me it was; when I could not differentiate between Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei when we watched the movie "The Wrestler"
Jeanne took me to the eye doctor today to get some real glasses.Up until this point I have been going to the Dollar Store for my glasses.
The Doctor told me my far away vision was weak and my up close was weaker, and that 1 eye is different then the other. What I needed was "BIFOCALS"

They now call them,Progressive Multifocal Length eyeglasses, they are the result of Benjamin Franklin’s original simple creation.
After Benjamin invented his Bifocal lenses, and while staying in France as an American Envoy, he wrote a friend in the United States.

”I cannot distinguish a letter even of large print; but am happy in the invention of double spectacles, which serving for distant objects as well as near ones, make my eyes as useful to me as ever they were: If all the other defects and infirmities were as easily and cheaply remedied, it would be worth while for friends to live a good deal longer…..”

I am thankful to both Benjamin Franklin and Jeanne for making me go, and when I get used to wearing my new spectacles, I will assume my rightful place and resume control of the remote control...

Flowers Are The Best Medicine

OK,
Its 87 below zero, everyday the wind is blowing, you are on a tight budget, the ground outside is frozen solid, you are not allowed to go to Costa Rica,and outside are shades of grey and white with very little color.
What can you do to avoid contracting the dreaded winter disease known as Winter Blues?
Breakout the seed catalogs and the Garden Magazines and dream of that garden you need.
Seed catalogs are filled with vibrant colors and perfect examples of all those flowers you wish you could grow. The how to magazines are filled with inspirational projects.
Picture in your mind, an arbor filled with Heavenly Blue Morning Glories, or how about a Creamy Yellow Rose. Seed catalogs are filled with colorful Zinneas, Asters, Poppies, Petunia, Salvia, Lupine, Dianthus and so many more. How about planning gardens of certain colors? A garden of pinks, or a garden of yellow, and the illusive garden of blue. Planning a garden of blue could keep you busy the rest of the winter, Spend a day tracking down True Blue flowers for your garden and before you know it the day has passed and you spent your day treating your eyes to some really awesome sights.
We have not accomplished very much at all with flowers here, but we will. This summer I hope to start adding some color to the landscape.And then, when the house is finished, let it bloom, let it bloom, let it bloom.

I love planting trees and will continue to do so as long as I can break the ground. But at this point in my life, planting a tree will be enjoyed by the youth. If I plant flowers, My senses will enjoy them.

When I take refuge in my garden, and stare at even the simplest of flowers. I find it very difficult to remember what was troubling me.

2010 The Year Of Change

Many changes will take place this year on the Homestead. Perhaps the most significant will be elevating the house up above he 500 year flood zone, and never having to worry when the river turns our home into a island. We are looking at early spring to launch this project. My plan is to document every step of this project here on our blog and I feel this will be a very exciting project. My only fear is my survival! So far, during construction projects here on the homestead I have managed to run my thumb thru the table saw, hit myself in the head with a crow bar,( i saw those stars they talk about) fell off the roof, stepped on a nail that I needed my electrician to pull out, and I hit my thumb 273 times with my hammer. I think the local Bookie is taking bets on my survival.
I will hire a electrician, a plumber, a mason, and a firm that specializes in jacking up houses. I plan on doing most of the carpentry myself, so the likelihood of my survival is very low.
The big test will come when the 4 of us move into a trailer during construction.

Another big change will be my new job...I do not know what it will be, but I do hope it will be my last job and most important, at the end of the day it was all about making a difference and not just about the paycheck.

This also will be the year, We grow that prize winning Pumpkin. We will plant more trees. Increase our herd of Guinea Fowl. Order more chickens. Finish the 63 projects that are almost done. Kids will listen. Create my dream workshop when the house is done.Install our wood stove. Remove that darn stump. Plant some vegetables. Build Jeanne a pantry. Create the perfect pickle.

And the most important thing we will do this year.
Watch The Children Grow.

Please note: The glasses are filled with Ginger Ale

May You All Find Strength And Peace In The New Year!!