Winter Thoughts

Sometimes when the weather, winter or my thoughts seem bleak; they often happen to be the times I find home most cozy. The past few days we have had sub zero temps. Winter weather has sent wind, snow and frigid temps- possible depths of cold despair. But instead of encountering gloom I have found respite in the comfort of a warm cup of tea, a warm blanket- curling up to read, feeding the little songbirds, ducks and geese through this cold spell. These sometimes are the most profound for me. It reminds me that many times it is the common, the usual and the ordinary that are really special as they help us navigate our way through troubled times.

A few years ago unexpectedly, my sister, Sharon sent me a child’s story book by James Herriot entitled The Christmas Kitten, known too as Buster: The Feline Retriever. She had also written me a small personal inscription inside the front cover. I was floored by the tenderness of her words to me and can never read the story without tearing up- not just for the wonderful story itself but by the kindness and love she sent me through a few simple sentences.

Sharon passed away a few weeks ago. When I received the call of her passing, one of the first things I did was read again The Christmas Kitten and read her beautifully handwritten note to me. Something she had seen in me that I hadn’t even considered about myself except that it was just something common, usual or ordinary. Instead it made me realize that none of us- our time or our days here are just common, usual or ordinary. We all make a difference here, at home in this realm.

Thoughts for navigating winter weather. Life at home on Green Heron Pond.

In loving memory of my sister Sharon, 8/7/48-12/22/23

A Different Summer

Summer 2023 will be long remembered for its soaring temps and lack of any meaningful rain here in Wichita and most other places in the Midwest. I have been in yard survival mode this summer watering daily, hosing down places to cool the yard and feeding small small animals in shaded spaces. Somehow the herb garden has done OK and we have had plentiful tomatoes and a few cucumbers. We have even had a nice number fledglings, goslings and Mallard ducklings survive to adulthood.

Ducklings usually have a bit of a mortality rate as they come on the pond when just about a day or two old and are small enough to fit in the palm of a child’s hand. They are beautiful, fuzzy brown and vulnerable. A number of them do make it though and I have to say there is never a lack of the common Mallards in our area. Imagine my surprise when in early June as I watched a Momma Mallard with a “crumpled piece of yellowish white paper” floating behind her along with three regular brown ducklings. This brood came on the pond at about the size of 2 week old ducklings, so they had to have come over from another neighborhood pond. It took a moment to register that the “floating yellowish white paper” was actually a very fuzzy yellow duckling along with the rest of the brood.

Had some lazy domestic duck dropped an egg in her nest? Had Momma Mallard picked up an orphan to raise? Was it possibly a leucistic duck? Oh, I could always find them anywhere on the pond or shore as the yellow-white duckling always stuck out against the brown of the shoreline or the green murky pond. It was just fun to watch them and have them begin to come up in the yard to eat corn chops.

There were two survivors in this brood; one developing the characteristic Mallard coloring and the white duck with Mallard colored wing bands and tail feathers, I watched them learn to fly and they moved on to another pond. But they still come by once in awhile and waddle right up by the deck to enjoy some corn chops in the cool of the shade and watered yard. Now I am waiting for Spring to see if the domestic/Mallard mix duck is a drake or hen and wondering how its future ducklings might look.

Summertime on Green Heron Pond… always something different and full of wonders!

A Gift That (Unfortunately) Kept Giving

Last Christmas seems a long way off and I am not even sure what I got, gave or wanted for my loved ones or myself 5 months ago. I do however have a reminder every time we go to the Mark Twain National Forest to our little place, because there has been constant evidence of a gift gone awry on each visit. Dan and I like to seek out unusual or special presents and one of my gifts for him this past holiday season was uniquely suited for bird watching. Specifically Pileated Woodpeckers who frequent the old growth trees by our house there in the woods.

Photo courtesy Wayne Rhodus: Mr Pileated Woodpecker

I have blogged about the Pileated Woodpeckers before and they are secretive yet quite vocal birds that are fascinating if and when encountered… especially up close- like at our deck feeders. We have a suet feeder but it is not the correct length to accommodate the large frame of the Pileated. So, around holiday time I found a catalog of bird feeders with a very specific large Pileated Woodpecker suet feeder. I was so pleased with myself…

Early January we traveled to our place and filled feeders and set up the new big suet feeder. It was great, as in no time we heard the raucous call of the Pileated and witnessed both a male and female come and chow down on suet. Success and such fun to witness! Or so we thought. Our next trip to the woods, we witnessed random woodpecker marks in the siding and still thought little about it as they were insignificant marks and that happens sometimes.

However by the next winter visit I walked around the house to see a larger area that had been breached and I knew exactly which bird was doing the hammering on the house, Mr Pileated. Dan patched the area up and we did not return for few weeks.

Upon our next visit in late February- early March it was cold and I didn’t spend time outside- I just headed inside with my bags and went upstairs. There was a small littered debris area by the bedside and then I looked up to see clear outside through an oval Pileated Woodpecker hole.

What a gift I gave Dan… He has spent part of every visit since patching and repairing the damage that woodpecker did! Mr Pileated thought he had found the perfect nesting site- close to a food source and near all the woods. Obviously once the woodpecker could see the cavernous room he’d pecked into he abandoned the site. Fortunately, since it was still wintry no small vermin, insects or bats had arrived to take advantage of the accommodations.

I’m thinking maybe the area will be sufficiently primed and ready for me to paint next visit. And of course the feeder now resides in Wichita far from the house, positioned in a tree next to Green Heron Pond. Flickers, Redbellys and the little Downy Woodpeckers are certainly reveling in having such a roomy suet feeder… no Pileateds.

Gift giving and life never dull at Green Heron Pond and beyond…

New Visitors in the Hood…

Yesterday was a beautiful and warm Winter day! The pale watery sunlight or totally overcast skies of the previous several days had vanished, the pond was thawing from its icy covering and ducks were out visiting the pond. It was marvelous to observe! The morning started a little shaky when a Red-tail showed up and settled down on the ground near a Mallard drake with a hurt wing. I happened to notice this odd configuring at pond’s edge and managed to startle the hawk and allow the duck to slip into the water. After that all the ducks seemed to relax and fellow waterfowl visitors began appearing across the pond.

I love seeing all the varied ducks that drop by or migrate via our little pond, as each are distinctive and spectacular in their own way. Yesterday the Gadwalls with their subtle grayish-brown speckled feathers with long black bills and black tail feathers bobbed and dabbled mid pond. Northern Shovelers with their dark green heads and long wide bills swirled in the water and ice remnants stirring up a circle of tasty tidbits from below the surface. Ring-necked ducks- small black and white ducks with a white ring on their bill dove deep for a bite of lunch. And the Mallards in a large grouping lazily floating and occasionally dipping their emerald green heads to retrieve a snack.

I have described the “Mr” Ducks- the drakes, as sometimes identification is done easier through the drake’s coloring than the more camouflaged look of most hens. Gadwall and Shoveler hens have more the coloring of the Mallard hens and the Ring-neck hen is more of a dark brown. Otherwise they match their drake counterparts in look and size. Yesterday however I was able to identify a new duck couple on the pond by the Mrs not the Mr!

Dan had pointed out to me a couple of ducks across the pond he thought looked “hooded”. I looked through the binoculars and told him they seemed to be Buffleheads and as the Buffys do come on the pond sometimes- and were clear across the water- I gave it no more thought. Late in the afternoon I noticed two very small” “shore” birds, one sitting on a low hanging willow branch and the other nearby along the shoreline. Curiosity and the binoculars produced a great view featuring a wild patch of coppery red head feathers and the long thin bill of Mrs Hooded Merganser. I had mistaken Mr Hooded Merganser earlier because of distance and the very visible white patch on the side of his head. But this close up view of both of them was spectacular and special as we have never seen them on the pond before. The Hooded Mergansers are intriguing in looks with their coloring, hooded head feathers and narrow serrated edged bills. I imagine they enjoyed an easy catch and dinner of the plentiful blue gills. Hopefully, they will return to dine on Green Heron Pond again!

What’s going on outside your window? What’s happening in your hood? Winter months at Green Heron Pond…

Dreamy look of the Hooded Mergansers

Winter Has Arrived…

With a vengeance I might add a little over a week ago. We had enjoyed, had been lulled by a warmer Fall until December 21st and 22nd. Dan who monitors the weather (unlike me- I just let it happen- surprise me) put out the heated bird bath and let me know that our little bird feeding stations were going to need some reinforcements to keep up with the quickly dropping temps and the 40 MPH plus gusts accompanying them. We dashed to add to the arsenal of corn chops, suet, black oil sunflower seeds, dried meal worms and peanuts. As we stood in a checkout line the wary cashier dropped by asking “what are meal worms for?”. Meal worms are rather creepy looking- dried and crunchy- almost undulating in the cellophane bag. And I imagine all our selected purchases might have looked like scary trail mix ingredients. The answer was “Bluebirds”.

Actually Bluebirds, Robins and unfortunately Starlings all love meal worms. Black oil sunflower seeds are big hits with all the tiny songbirds, suet with the woodpeckers and most everyone else. Squirrels, Tufted Titmice and Blue Jays will fuss with each other over peanuts in the shell and the corn chops are a snack for the Mallards and unintended goose visitors. We gave up long ago warning off squirrels, starlings and geese… With the severe cold and wind we cannot deny any little creature water and a bit food for fuel. These little God given creatures, their antics and characteristics remind me so much of people, ourselves. They come and may argue over a seed or offer a seed to one another at times. They come in companionable groups or fussy mobs, some are timid, others feisty but all in need of sustenance and respite. An endearing cacophony of sound and action outside our window and life on Green Heron Pond.

The beginning of the parade of ducks across the ice at a 0 degree dawn

Fall Reflections

Our pond namesake Little Green Herons left about two months ago. I’m imagining they wanted to be among the first arrivals to their warm wintering grounds, but they could have stayed! Summer has just now given into Fall with its lovely cooler temps and easy sunny weather. In the heron’s place we’ve welcomed migrating Great Egrets, a Wood Duck couple, a Pied Billed Grebe, Gadwalls and the small divers, the Ring Necked Ducks.

The dock- due to heat, wind and very little rain sticks out of the water looking like a tall skinny legged kid wading in a puddle. Summer’s drought-y weather that has helped shrink the pond showcases the small Blue Gills that swim within the dock’s shadow and exposes the big Bull Frogs lazily sleeping along the shoreline. Like the Bull Frogs, I enjoy a bit of Autumn sun and sitting close to the pond. The water is so still and reflects all the wonderful hues of the turning leaves. The big waxy golden Cottonwood leaves, narrow pale green fronds of the Willows, now crispy from cool night temps, make accompanying lovely rustling music as I look out over the motionless water.

It is hard to tell where the sky and land end and their reflections begin on this still small pond. Clouds float on the water, in the sky, trees above and below display their changing colors. I think on the Summer just past and Winter weather to come, only fleetingly, as I savor Fall. Reflections at Green Heron Pond…

Autumn Afternoon Reflection

“Sprummer”…

Oh you know the time of year when weather, Nature and people are not sure which season we are really in- Spring or Summer? It can change day to day. The past few weeks have ranged from jacket wearing to stripping down practically to skivvies with the roller coaster temps. Flowers and shrubs bloom time have been somewhat later, as has the breeding season of the local waterfowl and wading birds. It has been an interesting series of events around the pond.

We had an earlier arrival of 5 Mallard ducklings that are now ready to fly. And then this week we have brand new tiny “fluff-ball” ducklings just barely able to navigate the grass, but boy can they swim! I have been chased by swallows when out for a walk as they help their fledglings learn how to fly… I was dive bombed by 2 adults repeatedly. I imagine my self defense antics caused a few neighbors to wonder why I was “spazzing” out. And then there has been the pregnant Rat snake in my garden area and a Garter snake and one skink in the basement (much to the cats delight). All due to weird weather changes and probably some help from cats.

But by far the most amazing event has been the late mating (or possibly territorial) displays of a Black Crowned Night Heron. These are stocky built herons that do not mind some limited human activity around them, so I usually notice them hanging out in the willows along the shoreline when working outside. But about a week ago I noticed two Black Crowns in the yard and one began to walk very purposefully and pick up a large stick about 2′-3′ long. It held the stick in its bill horizontally and began to run across the yard in front of the other heron. It did this several times so I as able to get a rather poorly recorded video of this running display. It would put the stick down and then retrieve it and run the other direction. I have never seen this before and have observed heron behavior a lot here at the pond. Did some reading up on Black Crowned Night Herons breeding displays, territory warnings etc to no avail… So I have just chocked it up to being Sprummer here at Green Heron Pond. Whats happening in your neck of the woods this time of year?

Black Crowned Night Herons

How to Tell if Its Mr or Mrs Snake?

First of all, this is “General Audience” rated blog… well most of the time. However in Nature there are just some events that have to be explained with some degree of depth or detail such as my blogs on Raccoon mating or Great Horned Owl mating- but this snake gender reveal is not one of those stories. Though it does take on a life of its own…

Yesterday I was working out in the backyard around noon and as always I keep a pretty close eye out for more unusual yard visitors from the pond. These visitors have ranged from an unwanted Muskrat, a Gander sneaking up behind me to welcomed Turtles and Bull Frogs and once in awhile one of the Rat or Water Snakes that traverse the yard or pond. (A snake swimming across the pond is always the preferred view.)

I had checked on my herb garden and border garden by the fence and walked back to my little raised bed when I noticed a snake- very still, stretched out the length of the lumber along the raised bed which is around 5′! I was not excited to view this, well actually I was excited as I yelled out… The snake just continued to lay there and look rather wrinkled-ish. It was so still I thought maybe it had died or was in the process of doing so, unfortunately just in front of the tomato, pepper and cucumber plants.

I ran inside to get my phone to take a photo and on returning to the raised bed I could see it was moving rather primly and gingerly along the lumber. So I took a couple of videos and a photo to send to Dan as he planned on doing some work on the house right at that spot when he returned home. Viewing the photo he let me know that the snake looked weird to him also.

This encounter left me curious as to why a snake would appear so disjunct and lump-ish looking, so I googled pregnant Rat Snake photos and there was an the exact replica of my 5″ long snake. Our snake (who I am now calling Sylvia) looked like she had swallowed about 2 dozen chicken eggs at spaced intervals in her slithery snake-y body. This process is scientifically called “lumping up”. That’s exciting… actually NO!….

Maybe this is how one determines a snake’s gender if not a herpetologist? And as I never plan on being a herpetologist, Dan is looking for some new “creekside property” to transport this possibly pregnant lil momma and her eggy crew. I wish Sylvia Snake well but I do not plan on babysitting for a couple dozen soon to be hatched snake eggs. Spring- especially not dull…life on Green Heron Pond.

The joys of Nature close to a pond! Sylvia… Snake-y Momma…

The Bagel Bandit

Usually I write about the wonderful little creatures outside our windows- on and around the pond. Cold weather has brought many to feed at the feeders filled with sunflower seeds for the Cardinals, Chickadees, finches; some peanuts for Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice (and squirrels) and mealworms for the Blue birds and apparently Carolina Wrens. But since it has been sooo cold we have spent more time inside than out and my attention has turned to the indoor residents…the cats, particularly our new rescue, Pasha. We are still getting used to each other and since she is several years younger than the other two cats, it has been an adjustment for everyone.

Pasha (means an orange-brown butterfly)

Pasha has endless energy and begs to play always (unless she is asleep) it seems. All the cat toys my other two cats have sniffed at and then ignored, this little cat has loved and played with until destruction or being “put away” for awhile. Her meow has dramatic flair and can be suspended like an operatic aria. And can she jump, making me think she may be part Ocicat. She contorts her tiny muscular 6 pound body through the air over and over after any toy presented.

We play with her often, as the other cats tire of her quickly and she really does receive a lot of attention. Now I say this as somehow she still has time and energy to engage in activities that we sometimes find out about later… like cruising the kitchen counter where a big red colander has been the catch all for crackers, chips and bakery items always. Well, it has been until recently. Pasha has a passion for any bread-type item in a plastic bag, which she will drag throughout the house, up the stairs and deposit in our bedroom closet. The bag never totally survives the trip and it looks like Hansel and Gretel have been here in search of another way home. Bread slices litter the staircase and bagels crumble along the carpet. So now if I forget to store bread items in the refrigerator, we just head upstairs to the closet to get a slice…

Fortunately no raisin bites were taken!

Hoping you are staying warm on these cold Winter days and enjoying the goings on without or within your windows. And know that I will be writing again soon as life here at Green Heron Pond is never dull, inside or out!

Velvet Autumn

We have had the perfect mix of temps and sun for dense, saturated fall color this year. Sunrise and sunset reveal a luminous quality to all trees, shrubs and flowers, so my (mostly) daily walks have been sheer pleasure! And in case you are unfamiliar with Kansas being a breezy state- that only adds to the magical effect with the rustling and swaying of the flora and fauna. The waxy quality of the pond’s cottonwood leaves is turning brittle and the breeze stirs up an applause from the cottonwood’s big yellow gold leaves. There’s an Autumn Blaze maple with flame colors etched in the edges of the leaves and it seems these leaves fall soft to the ground depleted by all the work of producing color. And then there are the golds, the russets, oranges and reds of the many other trees along our street. It is lovely!

Shrubs like the brilliant red of the Burning Bush and flowers- chrysanthemums have been incredible. My Burning Bushes have yet to totally turn but the mums have been the showstoppers. Cascading down and over rocky ledges, potted on porches and carpets of velvety hues in garden beds, it just makes me remember that pinching back all those little buds several times this last summer was worth it!

I have felt so rich luxuriating in these magical colors and textures. It is a wonderful season here on the pond and I hope you are finding treasures in your own backyard or neighborhood this velvety autumn. Life in color on Green Heron Pond!

• 

•