Reminiscing leads to Spring fever

I was organizing photos today and came across some of our gardens in Stratford. Many of you have seen photos of our efforts from Kim's previous blog. This was our first, full-fledged vegetable garden. By no means am I a "green thumb", but just looking at them gives me a great sense of pride and accomplishment.

Beginning of the season. Looks quite pitiful actually. Those are my Brussel Sprouts started from seed in the back raised bed.

 

Tomatoes started from seed. Again, quite pitiful looking. Planted are heirloom varieties "Black Krim" and "Cherokee Purple", and "Mosaic" and "Sugary" cherry tomatoes.

 

Trellis's erected, Brussels covered to protect from Cabbage Moths and rows planted.

 

In the words of Emeril, "BAM"!!!!!

Garden Awesomeness!!!

Brussels galore. Although none ever made it to our mouths. The Cabbage Moths decimated our plants.

Beauty of a day last summer and a lady who is happiest riding the mower while listening to her Ipod.

Garden gnomes in the "Enchanted Garden". I love the look on Ernie's face!

Farmer's Fauna.

We have 3 birdfeeders set up in the backyard. They are quite the hub of activity throughout the day and we get an assortment of birds and wildlife that frequent them. We have been feeding them a combo of black oil sunflower seeds and suet which everyone seems to like. It's quite comical to watch the antics of the birds and I swear they are more vocal when the feed is low. I've been able to feed some by hand and it's a real treat to have something wild trust you enough to accept some food from an outstretched hand. Our most common feathered visitors include: Chickadees, Juncos, Nuthatches, Pine Grosbeaks, Bluejays, Mourning Doves (affectionately called "Love Doves") and a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers. We also had a HUGE Ruffed Grouse make a couple of appearances this Fall and the most special sighting was that of a Barred Owl on the property. I've also seen a couple of rabbits in the early morning hours and, for a few days last week, a skunk was feeding on the birdseed dregs.

I'm a bird, honestly!!!!!

We also have a family of 5 Red Squirrels that are very acrobatic in their feeding. Not uncommon to look outside and see all of the bird feeders with a squirrel attached to it. These guys are very tame and cheeky little buggers.

Here is the beautiful Barred Owl. This was taken in the early morning. Kim had been outside watching the boys during their morning constitutional and was without her specs on. She was looking around bleary-eyed and half-blind when "something caught her eye". After grabbing her glasses and camera she managed to snap a few pictures before this beauty flew off. I, unfortunately, had just finished a night shift and was sleeping - bummer! Any owl sighting is a rare and treasured experience.

Ruffed Grouse. Sorry, not the best picture. Believe me this guy is a fatty. Biggest grouse I have ever seen. I would often hear him throughout the day drumming a short distance away. Hopefully he returns this Spring and I can get some better photographs of him.

I've been working away on the coop today and next post I will bring you all up to speed on my progress.