A Cool Spring Evening!

Spring is a very busy time around here, as you can imagine. Not only does it seem like spring has flown by, but lately it feels like it also. Early April temps in the mid to upper eighties is not spring-like for us here in New England, so it was nice to be able to enjoy a few minutes on the deck tonight as a cold front moved through and started the temperature moving toward normalcy.

Finding a few minutes to unwind is one of the simple things that can keep you sane during the busy season, and I was rewarded not only by the downtime and cooler weather, but with a few other surprises as well.

I caught the first glimpses of our resident bats, as they dashed back and forth against the evening sky, catching all manner of insects. They no doubt are hungry, as they have fasted for the winter during their hibernation. We have been worried that we might not see them again as most of the larger bat communities in the east are succumbing to White nose syndrome (Read more about it here –  http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html), but each spring we are relieved to see them return.

Big-Eared Bat (picture from U.S. Fish and wildlife website)

The spring peepers were in full chorale, hoping to find a mate. Stop by www.Naturesound.com to learn more about them and to hear their soothing sound!

A male peeper singing for a mate! (Photo from Naturesound.com)

In the distance, to top off the evening, a whippoorwill sung his melodic song over and over again. It isn’t every night we get to hear a whippoorwill, and when we do it’s never from the same location. It moves around from a small field to the southwest of us to somewhere off east of the house tonight. Whippoorwill populations are declining across the northeast, as their habitat continues to disappear. Visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, read more about them and even hear their beautiful song.

Whippoorwill (photo from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Tonight was a rare treat, and I’m glad found a few minutes to enjoy our local friends of nature before they’re gone. I hope you find the time to stop and enjoy some of nature’s wonders.

I bid you Peace!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

Redacted! New Honest Scrap Award Post

Headquarters has made contact, and has ordered the previous post be redacted, and replaced with the following. Please disregard any information previously divulged, Thank You! And for those of you that noticed that there were only 7 things listed about me and not 10, all I can say is, Headquarters will only put up with so much.

And now on a more serious note, and with heartfelt sincerity, here is my answer to the Honest Scrap Award.


My good Twitter friend and fellow garden Blogger Christina Salwitz the Professional Garden Coach, has nominated me for The Honest Scrap Award. As part of the duties associated with this honor, I must do the following; Inform you my readers of my nominator, Tell you 10 honest things about me that you would not necessarily know, and nominate 7 other worthy bloggers to continue on with this tradition.

10 honest things about me:

1  I love animals, and can’t imagine not having a dog around the house. We were lucky to find boomer, he is a great dog.

2  Everything positive I have achieved in life is because of my wife Kathy. She has supported me no matter what my endeavor.

3  I am extremely proud of our kids. In this day and age, when there are so many problems with drugs and alcohol, and so many remain distant and non-engaging with other adults, they prove to be an exception. Well, most of the time.

4  Someday, I hope Kathy and I will go to Europe for the summer.

5  I love coaching High School Lacrosse, even though it is during our busy season. Working with High School aged boys has its challenges, but it’s always a rewarding experience and well worth the time spent creatively scheduling work to make it happen.

6  Gardening, plants, and design are my passions, but I am terrible at tending the gardens at home.

7  I am a pretty good carpenter, and have installed several beautiful kitchens.

8  I have a temper, and can be cantankerous, but I am inspired by those that constantly work for peace and a sense of cooperation.

9  I wish I could find more time to go fishing.

10 I aspire to be the person my dog thinks I am!

So there you have it, the essence of me. Well, for the most part. Let’s face it there are some things I don’t even understand about me, but that’s a discussion for another time, right Kathy?

And now, my nominees for the Honest Scrap Award Are:

Kathy Hokunson

Matt Moore

Tim Tracey

Brian Bluff

Mark Sherrick

Eddie Bluff

Levi Spires

Good Luck and Be Well!

Scott

A Thankful Garden!

All the world’s a garden, and all the men and women merely gardeners. With apologies to the Bard of Avon, that is how I prefer to think of the existence we have carved out here on this planet. As I was on my way to Costco this morning, it struck me, that although my little portion of the garden had suffered quite a few setbacks of late I had much to be thankful for. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, a holiday that increasingly and annoyingly, has become simply a preamble to Christmas, I would like to share with you, some of what I am thankful for this year.

I am continuously thankful for all that nature has to offer. I am always amazed at the wonder to be found both far and near to home. Thank you Mother Nature.

Cattails backlit by the sun on a recent walk on the Bike Path

I am thankful that my business has survived this economy. Reading daily of the many businesses that close, reminds me that I am lucky to have the customers I do, and that they are a patient and appreciative. Thank you, dear clients.

The Blue Heron crew working on the Fox 61 Backyard Makeover project.

I am thankful for the many new contacts and friends I have made this year through social media. Upon sticking my toe into the social media pool last year, I thought it much too cold to enjoy, but I was wrong. I have interacted and met with many new interesting, warm and funny people from all corners of the earth, and from many different professions. Thank you Twitter and Facebook friends.

Twitter group on the New Engalnd Garden Tweetup at Innisfree

Mostly, as you might have guessed, I am thankful for my family. I am blessed with a successful and compassionate wife, two healthy children, and very supportive parents. I would not be the person I am today, without the influence of each member of my family. Thank you family members, you are my strength.

The Family at graduation.

So in spite of the doom and gloom spread across the airways these days, I will be thankful for what I have, a Garden that produces in any soil, no matter how much rain it receives, and no matter how infrequently it is tended.

I am also thankful that you dear reader have found your way to this post. Please consider leaving a comment before you go, and share with us that which you are thankful for.

May your garden always florish!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com