The Great Backyard Bird Count

February is National Bird Feeding Month, and from the 12th to the 15th, you can take part in The Great backyard bird count. This is fun way to help gather data about our feathered friends and the health of their populations. You’ll find plenty of information by visiting the websites of The National Bird-Feeding Society, and The Great Backyard Bird Count, to help you get started.

Cardinal photo Courtesy Birdsource.org

Creating wildlife habitat in your garden is not only fun, but essential in helping to combat the shrinking populations of birds and insects in our world. Why should we care about bird and insect populations, you ask? Well, we’ll answer that complex question in future posts, but for now, suffice to say that we are all connected in the great web of life, and keeping a healthy and diverse ecosystem benefits each and every one of us.

And if the winter doldrums have still got you down, there is something you can do about it, embrace winter and all it has to offer. For starters, stop by for a visit to the Therapeutic Landscapes Network Blog, where Naomi Sachs, a fellow Landscape designer and Twitter friend is in the middle of a wonderful series on connecting with nature in winter. Follow her suggestions, and you might find yourself enjoying the shortest month of the year.

Until next time, here’s hoping you connect with your surroundings!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

Wordless Wednesday from Southern New England!

A "Snow White" Garden

The Garden came alive with activity this morning. The area surrounding the bird feeder was buzzing as a light snow fell. Visitors included Blue Jays, Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Juncos, Sparrows, Nuthatches, Chickadees, one Red-bellied Woodpecker, and even a couple of squirrels coming and going. Snow White herself, would not have had a finer guest list, nor would she have enjoyed her coffee as much. Look close in these pictures, and you can see the Juncos busily pecking the ground under the Azalea.

And speaking of Azaleas, note the wonderful structure that this particular specimen (Rhododendron mucronulatum) is providing. It offers the birds a safe haven as they wait their turn to visit the feeder, and an interesting structural pattern, in an otherwise dull landscape.

Consider all of the seasons as you choose the plants that will make up your landscape. Spring and Summer are times of brilliant color, Fall a time of warm hues, and Winter a season of  simple beauty. With a little planning you can create a four season landscape, a haven for wildlife, and your own “Snow White” Garden.

May you find peace and simple beauty in your winter landscapes. Happy New Year!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

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Winter Wonderland!

I like winter, I always have. The cold, crisp air is invigorating. I love the excitement of watching a storm move up the east coast, and waking up to a new coating of snow. The stark beauty of a winter landscape, the return of our migratory winged friends, and even a simple walk in the frozen woods with the dog will heighten my senses. For those of us who operate seasonal businesses and for those that are gardeners, there are other benefits. Winter signals the end of a long busy season of work. It’s a time with many industry trade shows, seminars, and flower shows to attend, at which we will further our education and reacquaint ourselves with distant colleagues. Winter affords us a chance to stop and take stock of the year and all its successes and failures, it allows us to recharge our batteries, and best of all, we get to start planning for next season’s activities.

Now, before you think the cold temperatures have frozen my brain synapses, I don’t like everything about winter. I don’t like heavy slushy snowstorms, of which we see plenty. The sight of dirty sand and soil foiled up on the roadside snow banks by snowplows is quite unsightly. And even though he is a very nice man, I don’t like seeing the oilman on such a regular basis. These images, images of the dark side of winter, these fill me with thoughts of sipping Pina Coladas somewhere on a tropical beach!

By the time late February and early March roll around, I’ll be getting sick of the cold temps and the lack of greenery. Until then, seeing old friends and family at so many holiday parties, the beautiful fluffy snows of January and February, and old man winter’s many other benefits, will be enough to lift my spirits, as anticipation builds for those first spring crocus to pop through the late winter snows. See now, even that snowy image made you smile didn’t it. Go ahead you can admit it, we know already.

How do you feel about winter? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Stay warm,

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

Become a Fan of Blue Heron Landscape Design on Face book – http://bit.ly/yq1XT

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ScottHokunson

Connect with me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthokunson