Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Nature Notes Challenge

Michelle at Rambling Woods has a nice new meme to share called NatureNotes. She says: "I am going to challenge myself and hopefully you to take a look at nature. What’s going on in your area? Is it spring in your part of the world or are you heading into cold weather. Take a little walk, look at something you might never had paid attention to..a flower…a plant..an animal…What changes are taking place?..Is your garden starting to come to life again?..Step outside and close your eyes. What do you hear? ….

I’d really like to know how my blogger friends observe about nature. Post a photo..a poem..artwork or a few words about what you see, how you felt and maybe something you hadn’t paid any attention to before… "


Funny you should ask, Michelle, as I've been outside poking around quite a bit these past few days, and I just came back in from a tour of the pond. Something with a huge wingspan has been patrolling the back yard all day, and I saw a lone tom turkey go by at the edge of the woods, so I set off with my binoculars and camera. I caught the turkey - enlarge the photo to see it - but the other one got away.

I wish you could hear the frogs. I ventured into the swampy areas of the back woods looking for them, but couldn't see any to photograph. Nevertheless, I reveled in the sound of their singing. We called these "spring peepers" in West Virginia, and hearing them again swept me back to the soft, green, mountain springs of my childhood.

Somewhere behind the frog ponds, I could hear something that sounded like a tractor engine idling. I was concerned, wondering who might be back there and what they might be up to. So I went a bit deeper, using the binoculars to search the woods as I went.

Gradually, I realized I was not hearing an engine at all, but frogs of a different voice. The thrumming sound came from all around. There must have been hundreds of them, and yet I couldn't see a single one. It was as if the whole wood were one beating heart.

As for the garden, there are some legacy plants poking up in the meager flower patch out front. Daffodils and iris, for sure, and others I can't yet identify as friend or foe.

The big twiggy bush in the front yard has turned out to be a pussy willow, which I did not expect.

There are still lots of spent field weeds and wildflowers at the edges of the yard, including this milkweed stalk with one lone seed that has failed to launch:

Home Alone

And that's about it for today. I haven't given up on that hawk/buzzard/eagle, though, and if I get a shot at it I'll post it later.

Thanks for the meme, Michelle! This is going to be fun.
*Join the group at Rambling Woods.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was refreshing... I felt like I went on a walk with you... and it was fun!

Anonymous said...

Vicki...This is a great post for Nature Notes and is exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you so much for participating...

Arija said...

Great shot of the turkey!, and I really enjoued the bare trees behind it as well.
I keep my ears open for any froggy sounds, they foretoken rain, but no luck. An occasional rude cricket still shrills of summer heat.

Carletta said...

Hi Vickie,
That turkey looks pretty big. Ours haven't been around for a couple of months now.
I smiled at 'spring peepers' - the first evening we had had 80 degrees (last week) Hubs and I were on the deck and he looked at me and almost astonished said listen to the frogs! They're still peeping here in WV!
I can see a field outside the window where I blog and frequently see a wingspan shadow. Today it was a hawk. Too many doves at the feeder today would be my guess. :)
I joined Michelle's meme too and like you I think this will be fun.

Lori @ Purple Snapdragons said...

You are so lucky to live in such a wonderful place. It's great being able to enjoy it with you through your photography. I always look forward to visiting you and seeing what you have for us and what you've been up to. thank you for sharing! hugs, ~lori

Anonymous said...

Wonderful. I see a lovely crocus in one corner of your blog, and from the top i learn you are in Indiana.

So glad Michelle started this...or else I would have never visited your lovely blog.

Singing frogs! :-)

Finding Pam said...

The turkey was so camoflaged that I could barely see him. It must be wonderful to live in Indiana.

We were stationed in Wright Patterson A.F.B. in Dayton, Ohio and I love everything except all that snow. It is so beatiful there.

Thank you for visiting my blog and for the lovely comment. Nice to meet you, Vickie!

Anonymous said...

You obviously live in an area which is colder and with lots more wild life than mine. Great turkey.

MyMaracas said...

JC, I'm glad you stopped in! Glad you enjoyed the tour.

Michelle, thank YOU for starting this. I'm going to enjoy it, and it looks like you already have quite a few takers.

Arija, I hope you get your rain soon. I sure wish I could send some of our water your way. We've been knee deep in it - literally.

Carletta, I love getting news from West Virginia. I think my heart will always be there. It's good to know the peepers persevere.

Lor, yes, I feel blessed here. I'm always happy when you stop by, too. Thanks for all you kind words.

Leora, Pam and Ilanadavita, Nice to meet you, too! I've enjoyed visiting your blogs over the past few days. It is always fun getting to know new people who share our love of nature.

Celeste said...

Wow you are so lucky to have that many frogs around you, you must have some nice unspoilt areas in your neighbourhood.

Deb said...

Excellent nature writing and I could feel Spring as I read your notes. I can't wait to hear the 'peepers' - a sign that Spring has truly arrived! Enjoy!