Hi everyone! Welcome back to this week’s blog! I recently had an idea about what I can add to the blog, and I thought of adding – “Happenings at the sanctuary!” I thought it would be fun to just talk about the goings on around the yard. I call it our sanctuary because that is what it feels like for me. I am planning on doing this once a month! Let me know what you think!

This summer flew by, and I cannot believe it is back to school time already! I can always tell that summer is coming to a close because it’s getting darker earlier and the way the sun shadows in our yard are changing. Have you noticed subtle changes in your area too?

The yard is still bustling with wildlife! In fact, we just had a large black bear in our yard this week! He was in the shade, sitting on our wall in the back just like a person and eating sunflower seeds! It was late afternoon. And this morning when we were in the pool, he was peeking at us over the wall and then ran off! We did have another visit last year late fall. I understand that the bird feeders bring him into the yard, and I do bring the feeders in when they are in the area. I have said that I do believe that the small forest behind our yard is a “superhighway” for wildlife. We have had several other animals come through besides the black bear. We have had deer- single male deer and deer families, beautiful big red fox, ducks, flocks of turkeys, great blue heron and recently large raccoons and babies- 5 of them! Also, many different species of birds.

It is a very pretty area, and I have always felt protective of it. It is wetlands and conservation land. As you come out the back door to the left is a stone wall from many years ago, when this was a part of a farm. There are lots of pine trees in this area and very dense. The rest of it is large, tall trees and lots of ferns and other greenery on the ground. This year the entire area has filled in and is so many different shades of green.

“Nature always wears the colors of the Spirit.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Did You Know… Humans can see more shades of green than any other color. Before suburbs and skyscrapers, we lived in forested areas. It was crucial for our survival to be able to differentiate foliage. Your eyes evolved to find the calm in the green. LET THEM. Ecodiversity

Within the past few days, I was able to take a few afternoons off and just sit and enjoy the yard! NO phones, NO to-do lists, or computers, NO distractions, just the sound of the breeze through the trees and the songs of birds. It was an absolutely delightful, peaceful and restful afternoon! I watched a hummingbird fly around their feeder of sugar water. I make the sweet nectar for them at home; it is 1 part sugar to 4 parts waters. The little bird took a long drink and then after flew to a tree branch and rested there for a good 10 minutes! They are fascinating birds! They are extremely territorial and are very important pollinators. They have a very high metabolic rate, and they need to refuel many times a day. There are many different species, and we have the ruby throated hummingbird, and they are beautiful!

Our frogs are continuing to love our pond and waterfall! I bought a small solar powered fountain when the waterfall isn’t running, and they love to sit on it! We have noticed other animals will stop by for a drink, squirrels, chipmunks and even some birds love it! The raccoons have stopped by also.

Speaking of raccoons, last night there was a raccoon party in the yard! Big Momma and her 5 little hooligans showed up around 11pm and boy did they make a ruckus! They were making so much loud noise, climbing trees, fighting, running around, and roughing each other up! I got a flashlight to watch the craziness. This morning when we checked the yard, tables and chairs were knocked over, the rocks in the pond needed fixing and they tipped over the bird bath! They are quite comical, and funny to see their shenanigans!

The garden is also starting to wind down, but there are plenty of bees still buzzing around and butterflies.

I hoped you enjoyed this week’s blog! I enjoyed writing about the going on here and sharing them with you! If you would like to leave me a comment- please do! Also, please subscribe so you won’t miss anything!

Until next week- Get outside!

Ann Marie