Current calf count as of today, October 9th, is 63.
Irrepressible Iris
Return to the Paw-Paw Patch
Oak Trees Joined at the Burl
Bittersweet Trellis Update
I posted this pic of Bill hanging an old gate as an extension to the trellis our bittersweet had out-vined.
Do Cattle Qualify as “Fauna?”
Bob
Just Passing Through
I emailed the story and picture to one of the outdoor writers for the Topeka Capital-Journal. http://cjonline.com/sports/2016-02-27/josh-rouse-skunks-run-amok-near-meriden-home. He thinks I’m crazy for getting that close to a skunk. He’s probably right, but I’m also very, very watchful and careful. And lucky!
Fungus Among Us
Like this fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring or pixie ring.
Here’s the quick, simple but scientific, non-enchanting reason why these fungi formations with the cute, fairy tale nicknames cause heartburn for grounds maintenance staff for parks and ball fields, and homeowners trying to maintain consistently green, manicured lawns: Fairy ring mushrooms feed on decaying organic matter, such as debris left from removal of a tree or an old, thick thatch layer in the turf. The raw material is converted into nitrogen, which causes the grass in the ring to become dark green. The grass outside the ring becomes brown and thin due to fungi moving through the soil, compacting it and interfering with water penetration. My research didn’t explain why the formation is circular.
For me, finding fairy rings in our timber pasture was another discovery that makes our evening walks fun and interesting. I don’t claim to be superstitious, but I entered the ring to measure the diameter.
Money may not grow on trees, but mushrooms do!
Shaken, Not Stirred
A couple of minutes after 7:00, I was roused from a lazy slumber by the bed gently shaking. Eyes still closed, I assumed the shaking was caused by our Golden Retriever, Cricket, leaning against the bed and scratching. But I didn’t hear the thump-thump of her leg hitting the floor as she scratched. I cracked open one eye, looked around and realized she wasn’t in the bedroom. And my bed was still shaking. In my half-conscious awareness, I thought, “Earthquake?” Now I came fully awake and listened for rattling dishes and glassware but heard no clinking, clanking or crashing. Then the shaking stopped. By the time I got up, dressed and fixed coffee, the local news sources were posting the shaking, breaking news on their websites.
Judging by the posts on Facebook, I wasn’t the only person who initially blamed a pet for shaking the bed!