Green It Is: Tree Following in April

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Tina

My American Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, leafed out this past month. It began the month in a mostly leafless state.

The Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii), leafed out much earlier this spring, though it's always ahead of the Sycamore.

The Sycamore, at the center-left, leafs out later than the Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii).

It wasn’t too far into March before dots of new green appeared. I caught the beginning of the leafy action, snapped photos, then went on with my life.

This branch is the only one that is below the roof of my house and easily accessible. No, I'm not going to climb on my roof for my blog or for Tree Following.

This branch is the only one that is below the roof of my house and therefore, easily accessible. I have no plans to climb on top my roof to get photographs of leaves for this blog.

Sycamore, like most plants, is a monecious plant, which means that each tree has both female (pistillate) flowers and male (staminate) flowers. As an aside, another way that plants function reproductively is by being dioecious–which means that the individual plants are either female or male. Fewer plants are dioecious.

I knew that American Sycamores were monecious, but seeing that the tree is monecious is another thing entirely–and that’s the great thing about tree following: I notice these things because I’m paying attention. I assumed that because my tree is tall that I wouldn’t get a good photo of the male and female flowers. Additionally, I wasn’t trying to get photos of the flowers. But during in the photo-snapping session mentioned above, I caught both the male and female flowers.

The male flowers grow on newer, shorter branchlets and the female flowers grow on older branchlets.

The male flowers sport a sort nubby look along the branches, while the female flowers are fuzzier. The male flower will break and release its pollen load, usually by wind, but also, by water. If you recall from our March visit to the Sycamore, we learned about dispersal of seeds by wind, anemochory, and dispersal by water, called hydrochory. The American Sycamore does both; it’s a good survival strategy to employ a couple of methods of reproduction–it certainly keeps the options open.

Sycamore leaf production soon overtakes any flower show, though.

You can see that there are plenty of seed-balls for next year’s Sycamore seed dispersal. For now, the new ones are spring green,

…but eventually they’ll turn a toasty, autumn brown.

I’ve never seen a nest in the Sycamore, but it serves as a consistent resting spot for a variety of birds like this male Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus. .

His glorious, purple-black plumage pairs well with the new leaves. Other birds like White-winged Doves, House Sparrows, Blue Jays, and Cardinals, are year-round visitors to my Sycamore. As the leaves grow larger and the foliage thickens, it will become more difficult to spot birds resting in the tree.

The foliage is now almost fully flushed out. Sycamore is usually planted as a shade tree, but also as a tree for urban areas used to thwart air pollution.

Maybe those big leaves will save us all.

This is the American Sycamore as it enters late spring heading toward the summer months.

Thanking Pat of The Squirrelbasket for graciously hosting this fun meme about trees. Check out her blog for interesting information about trees from all over the world.

Wildlife Wednesday, March 2016: Birds are Boss

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Tina

It’s the first Wednesday of the month and time for gardeners and garden bloggers to celebrate the wild critters that we share our world with. I’m still quite besotted with “my” backyard birds and have concentrated efforts on observing them this past month. But on a chilly morning, this winter-colors clad Carolina Anole, Anolis carolinensis, was hanging out, too cold to scramble away from my camera.

His coloration isn’t winter-only, but instead, camouflaged to match the limestone wall and rust-colored mail box. I’ve seen a few of these guys-n-gals this past month and plenty more will emerge as we move into our warm season. Green will be their primary color in most of their photos to come.

In experimenting with the Cornell Merlin app on my phone, I inadvertently discovered that when I play the song of certain birds–looking at YOU, Carolina Chickadee, Poecile carolinensis,

…the bird responds. Honestly, it was an accident the first time or two that I played the Carolina Chickadee vocalization on the phone and then noticed the real one was answering and flitting ever-closer to where I was sitting. Another time, I was showing a neighbor this cool trick and the same thing happened–the Chickadee answered and moved closer to where we were standing.

Poor guy. I’ve been messing with his little bird-brain and he can’t figure out where his rival Chickadee is located. Rest assured, other than the 3 or 4 times to confirm that the bird was actually responding the the phone’s Chickadee call, I haven’t played the Chickadee song since. I suppose that I shouldn’t be surprised a bird would react to the vocalization issuing from the phone. Knowledgeable and passionate birders, the ones who started birding as kids, learned and excel at bird vocalizations and it’s the method they employ to attract birds for observation and photography. I have zero ability whatsoever to vocalize bird calls, but, going forward, I’ll keep my trusty phone handy if I ever need to call a bird.

Maybe I’ll use the phone to call humans, too.

This little cutey has been a constant, though shy, visitor all winter.

I’m reasonably confident that he’s an Orange-crowned Warbler, Oreothlypis celata, and he’s one of several birds that I don’t think I would have noticed if I wasn’t…well, trying to notice birds. Counting birds for Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which I wrote about here, has been good discipline for me. In keeping binoculars handy (I now have a greater appreciation of birders’ reliance upon those things) and actually using them when I’m observing birds, I’ve discovered that a remarkable variety of birds pass through and regularly visit my garden.

House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus, couples are residents, year-round.

This House Finch male munches contentedly, though I guess his parents didn’t teach him to chew with his mouth closed.

And this,

…is the monthly obligatory shot of the always stunning male Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, a pair of which are daily visitors.

American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis, have been new and constant visitors to the garden. Such attractive and tiny birds, they brighten the late winter landscape. Sometimes I have as many as 15-20, though usually there are only 5-10 at any time at the feeder, birdbaths, or foraging on the ground.

I realized as I was perusing photos that I have no clear shots of the bright yellow and black mature males. I’ll have to fix that little glitch before they fly north for their summer breeding and nesting activities.

American Goldfinches and House Finches share the bounty well.

My red headed Red Bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus, is a big fan of suet.

I still haven’t successfully caught that blush of red on his belly for which he is named, but he’s a pretty boy and always fun to watch and hear. His mate has also appeared a time or two, though she is shyer and doesn’t pose for pics as readily as he does–or maybe it’s that she doesn’t eat as much.

I’ve had to put away my suet, or at least have it out only when I’m at home and can supervise, because of an influx of these bad actors.

Yes, the European Starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, bane to native North American birds and bridges alike, have arrived–and in droves sometimes. Starlings are actually lovely birds with beautiful plumage,

…and I’m fond of their vocalizations. But they’re so aggressive and greedy, and sometimes, downright mean to the other birds. My little warblers and finches don’t stand a chance against their bully behavior, though I must say, the Blue Jays hold their own. I know that Europeans (the people, not the birds) lament the decline of the Starlings in Europe, but they (the birds, not the people) have become truly problematic here in North America.

No, I’m not in favor of building a wall, but maybe we could arrange a swap?? How about some good European wine, beer, or cheese in exchange for some Starlings? Deal?

A happier and more welcome invasion is of this gorgeous bird, the Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum.

Oh, that strip of yellow on the tail feathers and that dash of bright red on the wing, not to mention the stylish face mask! I absolutely adore these beautiful, gregarious birds. They’re fun to watch, though they’re usually waaayyy up high in the trees, so I get to see a lot of Cedar Waxwing creamy lemon-yellow tummies. Cedar Waxwings swoop up in flocks landing near the top of trees, then swoop down again into the next tree, keening all the while. They’re such cheerful birds.

Their courting behaviors are charming.

Cuddling up…

Leaning in close…

Kiss, kiss, smooch, smooch, flirty, flirty.

Oh, that went well!

Be still, my beating heart!

Shy again…

Sharing berries is love, or perhaps more accurately, a prelude to breeding.

Look who stopped by the pond early one morning! A lone male American Robin, Turdus migratorius, popped in for a quick sip and a pose.

Sadly, I haven’t seen a Robin visit my garden in years. It was always a hit-or-miss with Robin sighting during late winter/spring migration, but in the past there were usually a few to observe. In recent years though, not a one has stopped by for a nosh and a drink. So, welcome Mr. Robin and please, bring your brethren for a visit.

Finally, there’s this young lady.

Mama-to-be Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio, has returned this winter and is settling in to the nest box a bit early this year.

The winter has been mild (to say the least), so I suppose that explains the early move-in date. Dad-to-be was comfy, though wary of me, in the nearby Mountain Laurel tree on Sunday, keeping watch and looking dashing.

The Blue Jays, Cardinals, and the little birds keep me apprised to the owls’ whereabouts and when I hear their complaints, I know where the owls are roosting. I’m thrilled the owls are back this year and will keep my fingers crossed that all goes well for them and their brood. We installed a bird cam in December so we have a view inside the nest box this year. There’s not much to see right now, but when Mama is sleeping in the box, this is view:

For reference, you’re looking at the top of her head and down her back. Her eye is just above my last name.

When Mama is looking out of the box, the view inside is this:

You can see her two wings, resting down, side-by-side.

If there are no glitches with the wiring or camera, we should be able to see the eggs and then the chicks, in all their fuzzy cuteness. It should be an interesting experience. As I mentioned to a friend about viewing the goings-on of an owl family: You know, tearing apart songbirds, mice, and lizards. Fun stuff.

Mama wasn’t in the box yesterday, so that’s a bit concerning (especially because there is a Great Horned Owl pair also nesting in the neighborhood). As she’s been settled in for a week, it’s odd that she wasn’t there. Plus, I didn’t hear any trilling the previous night. I’m hoping she just stayed out late and needed to crash at a friend’s place–but time will tell.

The native bees, honeybees, and butterflies are waking up and beginning to make their presence known in the garden–buzzing, breeding, nesting, flying. They’ve been a little too fast for this pokey photographer to capture, but with some practice and good luck, there will be a variety of insect goings-on in the coming month to share for the next Wildlife Wednesday.

Did wildlife visit your garden this past month? Please post for March Wildlife Wednesday–share the rare or mundane, funny or fascinating, beneficial or harmful critters you encounter. When you comment on my post, please remember to leave a link to your Wildlife Wednesday post so readers can enjoy a variety of garden wildlife observations.

Happy wildlife gardening!

The Problem with Pollinators

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Tina

On the heels of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report about the potentially catastrophic worldwide decline of pollinators, I’d like to offer some gentle reminders to home gardeners and all others concerned about the health and maintenance of our food supply and the natural world as a whole. The report paints a dire prediction of decline and extinction of pollinators–honeybees, wild bees, butterflies and moths, and all other pollinating animals who play a vital role in production of managed crops and propagation of native plants and trees. I certainly hope that this report will bolster efforts to support educational and research organizations in their work toward encouraging local, state and federal authorities to set aside land for prairies, native grasslands, and wild space in general, and to manage that space in appropriate and sustainable ways.

Skipper nectaring at Echinacea purpurea, Purple Coneflower.

There are simple practices that the home gardener can engage to assure a safe haven for pollinators and all wildlife in general:

Refrain from pesticide and herbicide use. Not only will abstaining from chemicals save you money and time, but usually, these chemicals create more problems than they fix. If you plant appropriately for your region, the need for chemicals in the garden decreases or disappears.

Osmia ribifloris (?), Megachilinae, sp. preparing nest in the mortar of the outside wall of a house.

Osmia ribifloris (?), Megachilinae, sp. preparing a nest in the mortar of the outside wall of a house.

Use native plants! There is no easier way to attract and sustain wildlife than to plant native plants–for pollinators, birds, bats, reptiles–every native critter will visit when their preferred food source is available. Where native plants are hard to find, plant non-invasive, well-adapted pollinator-friendly perennials and annuals. When replacing shade or ornamental trees, plant native trees; a large native tree is life-giving in so many ways. Your locally owned nurseries and Agricultural Extension Agent offices and websites are excellent sources of information on appropriate plants.

Honeybee working the blooms of a Sophora secundiflora, Texas Mountain Laurel.

Allow some “nature” in your garden. It’s perfectly fine to have a few leaves, branches, and garden detritus in your garden for critters to use as cover and for nesting purposes. The 1950’s swath of lawn and scraped garden are so…yesterday. A water-hogging, sterile lawn coupled with a few pristine, non-nectar producing plants (usually sold at big box stores) and placed solely at the foundation of a house, are antithetical to how nature exists and functions. Birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and beneficial insects have no place to live and thrive in that kind of “garden.”

Leaf litter and rotting wood as part of the garden design and structure.

Your garden doesn’t have to be wild to attract wild. No matter what garden style the gardener appreciates and aspires to, incorporating plants that are beneficial to wildlife–those providing nectar, seeds, berries, and cover–is easily accomplished as time and budget allow. Whether in a formal or a cottage garden style–or anything in between–using wildlife-friendly plants, pruning after seed production, and refraining from chemical use is the ticket to a successful and life-nurturing garden. And isn’t that what gardening and gardens are all about? The creative endeavor of nurturing and sustaining life and beauty.

Provide water! As simple as a bird bath or as complicated as a series of ponds with attached streams and waterfalls, water is a requirement for life and should be a part of any garden. ‘Nuff said.

Honeybee drinking from a bird bath.

There are already places in the world where, because of mismanagement of land and misuse of chemicals, there are no pollinators available. None. They’re all dead. Crops grown are hand-pollinated by people. Surely this is not what we want worldwide, but that scenario is exactly where we are headed. We can choose a different route and it doesn’t require great inventions or new technologies, but instead, thoughtful gardening and agricultural practices, as well as the political will to acknowledge and edit the environmental costs of industrialization.

Honeybee gathering pollen at Tradescantia gigantea, Spiderwort.

Please consider the health of your local environment when you plan a garden. Support private, municipal, and federal efforts to set aside land for wildlife. Our survival, as well as the maintenance of the remarkable and diverse biology of the Earth, depends upon our acting NOW. This is a solvable problem. Let’s solve it.