Monarch Season

I spotted a Monarch butterfly feeding at the end of our garden two days ago.. we had planted some Milkweed Aesculapius plants which it finds irresistible.

But, sadly, I've only seen about three or four of these butterflies this year... lets hope the population recovers.
Nicholas

Fall is here!

This morning I spotted a kettle of hawks soaring over the fields between us and Dryden Lake. They are red-tailed hawks, flapping occasionally, but mostly just soaring round and round above the landscape. There were at least ten birds today.
We have now purchased some additional land to increase the size of our garden. Next year we plan to build a 24 foot labrynth! Pictures to come.
Meanwhile, here are some gorgeous flowers from this season.

The white iris was most unusual at this time of the year! Its delicate petals lasted a full week.
Nicholas

Mid Summer

It is hard to imagine that six months ago the garden and surroundings were buried under at last three feet of hard snow!
But now the garden beds are at their best and it all looks glorious.

We are planning to expand the garden a little soon... pushing out the fencing on the right to create a sanctuary, where, next year, we hope to build a labyrinth!
Nicholas

The return of color

Our stand of Iris plants has blossomed, adding gorgeous notes of yellow, orange, purple and bronze to the garden.

As if by way of synchronicity, a Baltimore Oriole flew by and sat in the cherry tree for a while... a stunning display of orange against the sky.

Its fabulous to see color return like this after so many months of white and brown.
Nicholas

Wild Turkeys

Wild turkeys have been strutting about across the field: the males fanning their feathers like peacocks and the female seeming to ignore them!

The fields and forests are still brown, but there is much promise yet to come in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, Dryden Lake was still frozen last Sunday morning,  but it won't be for  long!

Nicholas

Winter's Moon

This morning a glorious full moon sank slowly into the West behind some Tamarisk trees.
It was a gorgeous sight, lasting only for a few moments as it slowly disappeared.
The snow pack is gradually changing: this morning a thick crust of iced snow acts as a surprise to dogs and foxes alike. Misty rushed out to bark at a fox that came by the foot of the garden, but luckily the fence kept her in.

Its hard to imagine that in a few weeks time all the snow will have gone...and even harder to imagine the bursts of spring life yet to come.
Nicholas

Frozen Water

Taughannock Falls at this time year is stunning. The valley was gorgeous in morning light today even though the air temperatures was -6F (-21 C).

At the end of the trail, the falls cascaded down as if suspended in time; icicles everywhere and just a trickle of water showering down in the centre of the ice.

The river itself still flowed of course, but only just visible in places.

I am reminded of the delicate balance between the seasons here. It seems impossible to imagine the burst of spring to come.
Nicholas