Walking Around in July

It was a hot day and I stopped at the water’s edge and crouched down to look for anything moving. It was murky and the water was still. Just as I decided to move on I noticed two small circles on the surface not far from my face. These are the eyes of a small frog. He had been watching me the whole time. I move away slowly so I will not interrupt his view of things above the water.

That same day, I notice something dark and shiny glistening in the sun. A water snake. I love seeing these but have stopped catching them. Compared to other snakes, water snakes have a bad temper (my experience). This one seemed to be enjoying the sunshine. I took a close look but didn’t touch him.

On another day, I am walking along a path and glance up to see something wrapped around a branch of a nearby tree. A black rat snake is trying to get some sun. Or maybe some lunch. Or maybe just lounging on that branch for alone time. I have seen them climb trees without needing branches and have watched them swim gracefully through the water. The black rat snake has underestimated athletic skills.

Yet another day, I was moving along when I notice something had jumped at my feet. After searching in the grass for a while I discovered a pickerel frog. There is something exotic about the camo like pattern on these. We used to see them frequently in upstate New York. It’s been a while, hello old friend. Of interest this is the only poisonous frog in the United States (don’t put it in your mouth).

Frog cousins, the toads have been singing loudly at night this month. I recommend you open your window when you lay down so you can hear that soft, melodic trill. It sounds like summer. But before you do, sit outside for a spell and watch the lightning bugs. This year, it seems the lightning bug show is the best it’s been in a long while. One night, I was outside and three landed right on me. One in my hand.

These are the kind of things that July offers even when not looking for anything in particular. And this year I had a first (for me), by chance, I glanced upward at the right time and my eyes landed on something that looked like a small hornet’s nest. Hanging from a branch maybe twenty feet above the ground, was the nest of a hummingbird. Though I could not hear any sounds, I saw what appeared to be a small head and maybe even tail feathers bobbing up and down. And then, the mother came in for a quick feeding. I walked through the same area a few days later and everyone was gone. But for one day I was there at the right time.

Now I am already looking forward to some walks through August. Wonder what I’ll get to see?

A Hot and Rainy July

One morning, standing underneath the bird feeders and staring up as if he was devising a plan to steal some food, was a bear. Mom claims she and Duke ran him off. I did have a talk with Duke (a German Shepherd) about choosing his fights more carefully but am not sure he understood.

On another day, a rabbit had climbed into a grow bag where carrots are just popping up. I like rabbits but I don’t want them sleeping in the carrots (that sounds like a Bugs Bunny cartoon). On another, I spotted a very large wolf spider and two snails climbing the compost bin. I’ve always liked snails, despite the bad reputation. As it turns out, they are not all bad and are experts at decomposition. And they also aid in adding calcium to the soil. Anyway, I imagined them racing to the top of the bin.

It has been hot. And it has rained a lot. Its like a rainforest back here. That may be part of the reason, but this is a good year for the garden. We have been picking peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Echinacea is in bloom. A variety of bees and a yellow swallowtail are enjoying it as I walk past.

The snap peas have been pulled up and Kentucky Wonders have been planted in their place. Garlic and potatoes have been harvested. As it turns out, potatoes grow really well in five-gallon buckets. Next year, I will add more buckets. I planted additional parsley and basil and replaced an old oregano plant. All the herbs received a good pruning. So have the hostas, deer love to prune the hostas.

Goldfinches are showing up more and more. They bring a lot of color to the feeders. We were on the deck when Mom was telling me about a hummingbird that flew right in her face. Right then, two showed up at the feeder at the same time and a fight broke out. One of them flew straight at me. What is wrong with these little birds? Where do you report being violated by a hummingbird?

Keith brought over a healthy pile of manure, that will come in handy. One day while heading that direction with a pitchfork and a wheelbarrow, I checked on the milkweed and discovered some butterflies that I hadn’t noticed yet this year. Several Great Spangled Fritillaries and one Pipevine Swallowtail were enjoying the plant. Added to the bumblebees in the lavender patch we have ourselves a pollinator festival shaping up.

Though the days have been hot, all in all things have been good back here in the rainforest. Where bunnies play and where snails race. And where the bears run from my Mom and she runs from the hummingbirds.

Taking On July

July is a battlefield. At least it was in my youth. I would wake in the morning only to wonder what was out there. What could be found in the woods today? Is anything hiding in that rock pile? What will be down at the creek? I wonder if the berries are ripe?

A child knows that something it out there. There is always something out there. Every day is something new to explore. Adults go soft, sitting in cushioned chairs in air-conditioned rooms. But a child knows, there is a lot going on. Someone has to find out what it is.

Still, it is a battlefield out there. Crawling under barbed wire. Falling from a tree or onto rocks. Thorns stand between you and the berries. Sunburn, bruising, and blood are all part of the experience. There are poisons everywhere; ivy, oak, and sumac. Coming home with a rash is normal. Bees will sting, so will yellow jackets, and hornets. Ants will bite, so will deerflies, spiders, and snakes.

Leeches and ticks  are looking to suck your blood. Chiggers will cause you some miserable nights. Mosquitoes will nibble on you all summer long. July is a danger zone. It is a war out there. I still have scars from some of those battles. And I would do it all over again.