Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
How long does a Snag Keep Standing?
Not long enough, though I should have seen the signs.
It was eight years ago when Bob called out an arborist to take down our dying Hemlock. Instead, he convinced us to keep it standing for the sake of birds and other wildlife.
According to the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, “Hard to believe, but trees can actually provide more habitats for wildlife dead than when they are alive. Standing dead and dying trees, called “snags” or “wildlife trees,” are important for wildlife in both natural and landscaped settings, occurring as a result of disease, lightning, fire, animal damage, too much shade, drought, root competition, as well as old age.
Birds, small mammals, and other wildlife use snags for nests, nurseries, storage areas, foraging, roosting, and perching. Live trees with snag-like features, such as hollow trunks, excavated cavities, and dead branches can provide similar wildlife value.”
It was funny looking both to us and our neighbors, but it weathered nicely over time, and we accepted it in the landscape.
And the birds loved it, especially the Northern Flickers who hammered out cavities and used them for nesting year after year.
They were back at it in February with excavations continuing through last weekend, while I was out taking pictures.
So I was more than a bit surprised to get a text from our neighbor later that day saying the snag had fallen over! 😦 There’d been no wind or stormy weather, the old tree just gave out, and without a sound, broke and hit the ground. Fortunately, it fell in a safe place, not on our truck in the driveway, and far from both houses.
My immediate thought was for the birds! Did they make it out safely?
Bob chopped it up the next day, and reported it was completely rotted through, soft and full of deep cavities and old nests but no sign of birds or eggs. (Phew!) I consoled myself with the fact that it happens in the wild too.
Honestly, it hadn’t occurred to me that it might come down. I don’t remember the arborist mentioning it, or to be on watch. Then again, I had wondered recently: was it always that crooked, leaning so heavily to one side? (I had habitually straightened it in my pictures, to make it appear more upright.)
The Flickers will miss the old snag. We will too. But I suspect this old stump has more to give.
Life goes on.
~ Susanne
Bird Haven – Hummingbirds, Chickadees and Juncos in my Backyard
Anna’s Hummingbirds visit my garden year-round,
but the Rufous only drops by during spring migration, after traveling up to 5,000 miles from Mexico to breed.
How does this tiny bird – only 3 1/2 inches long – make such a journey twice a year?
Chickadees abound in my garden all year long, I see more of the Chestnut-Backed variety,
than the Black-Capped.
But I see more Juncos in my yard, than perhaps any other bird.
All are welcome.
~ Susanne
May Day is for Ducks!
Fresh air and a walk, does a body good, and so I headed to Coulon Park. The ducks and geese were plentiful, though no ducklings in evidence yet.
These two brown beauties were smaller than the rest. My Peterson Field Guide identified them as Cinnamon Teal, a perfect name, I think.
These Canada Geese failed to read the signs.
unless they are indeed lifeguards?
Happy May Day!
~ Susanne
What’s in Today’s Garden?
It’s still early, but here’s what’s happening today:
Lilacs are budding – just starting to bloom. It took years. My dear mother-in-law gave us this Lilac, and we transplanted it from our house in Seattle years ago. They don’t like to be moved so I’m happy to finally see it thriving. Thanks, mom. 🙂
The faithful Clematis are beginning their climb into the evergreens above. They will take over in May.
A special setting on my camera produced this dreamy result.
The Apple Tree is blooming on the other side of the fence so I’m expecting a good crop this year.
Tiny Periwinkles are appearing under the trees, here they’re surrounded by Sweet Woodruff and Ferns.
Candytuft are blooming, providing a spot of color beneath the Thimbleberries which have spread out their leaves, berries will follow.
You’ll notice the shaggy grass is in need of cutting.
Benji doesn’t care.
Sharing with Sunday Stills.
~ Susanne
Ancient Bracken Ferns
Every year they pop up in my garden unbidden.
Alone, they are gangly and peculiar looking though they’re interesting to watch unfurl.
In mass, they look fine and I leave them alone where they fill in shady areas next to our driveway.
Bracken ferns are some of the oldest plants in the world and live on all continents except Antarctica. (I only learned their name today while researching for this post.)
Though not toxic to humans, they are toxic to grazing animals.
So I don’t feel bad for pulling them out, unlike the Sword Fern which I welcome in my garden.
Sharing with #theflowerhour.
~ Susanne
I Almost Forgot!
It was 10 years ago that I started this blog, and my how time does fly!
Tiger was my muse and avatar from the beginning,
but left us this month to be with his brother, on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.
Thankfully, Benji is still with us, and just like this blog, is 10 years old; we hope he makes it to 18 like Tiger. For now, we’ll remain a one cat family, since our little tripawd deserves all our attention.
The top two rows in the gallery are of Benji when he had all four; the last two rows show him missing a leg. Same kitty, same adventurous spirit. Even after his injury two years ago, he has remained the sweetest and happiest cat we’ve ever had.
It won’t be long, before I change my avatar to Benji.
But not yet.
~ Susanne
For the Beauty of the Earth – the Great and the Small
For this week’s Sunday Stills challenge and coming #Earth Day, I went through my archives to find some of the West’s most magnificent scenery. It wasn’t hard, except the whittling down to a few.
I’ll start with the dramatic California Coast, at Big Sur, one of earth’s most beautiful coastal drives,
where you’ll even find a hidden waterfall.
Further out in the Pacific, you’ll find a marvelous canyon, Waimea on Kauai, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. This view alone is worth a trip to the Garden Island.
There’s another Grand Canyon of sorts, on the Yellowstone River, in Yellowstone National Park,
where you’ll also find Grand Prismatic Spring, a jaw dropping view especially when seen from above.
Mt. Rundle is in Banff National Park, in the Canadian Rockies,
where marvelous views of mountains and lakes abound. If you’ve never been there, I suggest you go while the Canadians still welcome us.
Keep going north to see one of many fjords and glaciers in Southeast Alaska. I hope there’s another cruise in our future.
On the opposite side of the color and climate spectrum, is red rock country in Arizona, this near Sedona. I can almost smell the dry heat.
I love Mt. Rainier in my own backyard and visit multiple times a year. I’m happy they dropped the reservation system, so we can take a drive south whenever the mood strikes.
Isn’t it wonderful how the sun sinks below earth’s horizon every night? If you’re lucky you’ll see it set on Maui at least once in your life.
I have too many photos of our beautiful earth, many taken at national parks, where the rugged scenery has been spared from commercialization and preserved for posterity. I think that’s what Earth Day all is about: appreciating and enjoying what we have, protecting it wherever possible.
But if you never make it to a national park, just look around at the smaller glories where you live.
They’re everywhere.
Till next time,
~ Susanne
Cheerful Nature Shots
It’s cold and rainy here in the Great Northwest so I thought I’d cheer us up with some nature shots.
How about a doggie enjoying sunset at Cannon Beach. Not mine, but wouldn’t it be nice?
Here’s a chubby Robin looking quite dapper!
This Elk wants you to smile so show me your teeth!
Finally, an orange rose from my garden though not this year’s, which I am sharing with the Flower Hour.
As my cheerful husband would say, “Blue skies, smiling at me, nothing but blue skies, do I see.”
Just ahead.
~ Susanne
Nesting, Nesting, 1, 2, 3
The snag we left standing in our yard, has become a nesting place for all manner of birds.
It’s true, the Starlings took over the top cavity that belonged to the Flickers.
But the Flickers did not give up easily and continued to excavate.
They moved into their new digs a few floors below their old lodging.
The Chickadees aren’t part of the squabble and successfully maintained their own nests high above the others.
The junco on the very top is just visiting, preferring nests closer to the ground.
Hooray for nesting birds!
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 