| |
| |
|
Landscaping & Gardening Information |
|
|
|
Backyard Bird--The Catbird
It's quiet now. Gone is the constant chatter, whistles and meowing sounds as you jump from branch to branch safeguarding your territory against all trespassers. Gone too is the uniform gray body offset with the black cap and tail feathers, with just a smidgen of rust coloration under the tail coverts, that allows you to blend in with your natural habitat of dense udergrowth and thickets. They call you a skulker, a bird hard to see in the dense underbrush. Usually heard but now seen. Definitely NOT a backyard bird. Except in my backyard. Maybe it's because my back yard is filled with trees and dense undergrowth along the rear and side fences. Or maybe it's because there is a wooded area of trees and underbrush in the low-lying parcel of land across the street. Or maybe it's because of a reason I can't fully understand. I know you don't stay becasue of my bird feeders, because you don't have birdseed in you diet. You prefer insects, spiders and fruit berries instead. But whatever the reason, I'm grateful. I'm grateful that you have chosen my yard as your place to breed and have chicks. And not just this year. But last year too. Definitely unusual. I'm delighted to watch you jump and fly from one low hanging branch to another, or from one small tree to another, constantly chattering or meowing your right of territory. But I never did get to see your mate's nest. You never led me there. So I don't know how many chicks you fledged and whether they all survived. But it's late summer now. And it's quiet again. Are you already heading south on your long migration journey? To southern Florida? Or Texas? Or even to eastern Mexico? I understand that for this trip, you've teamed up with some other catbirds, so that you are in a group of a dozen or so. For protection? For guidance? Whatever the reason, I hope your migration south and your return next year is successful. I would really like it if you or one of your chicks return to my yard. I look forward to your whistles and meowing as you defend your territory and build your nest. But until next year, "skulker" catbird, Goodbye... Gary Machado has been a field and backyard birdwatcher for over 30 years. You may visit his site at: http://www.bird-feeders-and-more.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Landscaping-Gardening - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Furniture Benches Are Perfect For Every Outdoor Space The task of selecting outdoor furniture for your natural spaces can seem daunting at times. There are just so many options to choose from that many people get confused browsing through the large collections that can be found in catalogues, stores and even online. How to Grow Hydrangeas Whether you call them Hydrangea Macrophylla, House Hydrangea, French Hydrangea,, or Mopheads, growing Hydrangeas in the home garden can be an enjoyable experience. They are lovely, whether used as single plants or in mass, such as in a hedge, or border. Care of Dendrobium Orchids DendrobiumsThis month I am focusing our attention to the care of Dendrobiums. These are one of the most popular of retail orchid plants. Gardening Tips and Tricks for Late Autumn Preparing for the Winter Months: Gardening in OctoberWhen you feel that first solid bite in the breeze and you see the songbirds winging their way south, and the trees are bursting with fire-laden hues, you know you can't be spending the weekend curled up by the fireplace with a good book. Not for long. How to Decorate your Outdoor Space without Breaking the Bank Noted English clergyman Sydney Smith (1771-1845) is quoted as saying, "Economy in the estimation of common minds means the absence of all taste and comfort." But finding thrifty ways to decorate your outdoor living space doesn't mean you have to sacrifice either of those things. About Window Ledge Gardening The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges is a form of gardening in which most people can indulge. Those who live in flats, and others who have no gardens, and especially invalids who are confined to their rooms, derive an enormous amount of pleasure from this form of gardening. Amish Furniture on the Front Porch While shopping on line the other day at www.stoveramishfurniture. Flower Meanings Certain types or colors of flowers mean different things, and you don't want to send the wrong message if you give them as a gift! Of course, not everyone knows what a particular flower means, but you can never be too sure!FLOWER NAME and/or COLOR -- FLOWER MEANINGSCarnationsCarnation (General) -- Fascination Carnation, Pink -- Emblem of Mother's Day, I will never forget you Carnation, Purple -- Antipathy and Capriciousness Carnation, Red -- Admiration, my heart aches for you Carnation, Striped -- No, Sorry, I cannot be with you Carnation, White -- Pure Love, Sweet Love, Innocence Carnation, Yellow -- Disdain and RejectionLiliesLily, Calla -- Majestic Beauty Lily, Day -- Coquetry Lily, Orange -- Hatred and Disdain, Wealth, Pride Lily, White -- Majesty and Purity, Virginity Lily of the Valley -- Purity and Humility, SweetnessRosesRose, Coral/Orange -- Enthusiasm, Desire Rose, Dark Pink -- Thank you Rose, Light Pink -- Admiration Rose, Musk -- Capricious Beauty Rose, Pale -- Friendship Rose, Peach -- Let's get together, Closing of the deal Rose, Pink -- Love, Grace, Gentility, You're so Lovely Rose, Pink & White -- Love, Desire, Respect, Courage, Job well done Rose, Red -- Majesty and Purity, Virginity Rose, Red & Yellow -- Congratulations Rose, White -- Charm, Secrecy, Silence, You're Heavenly Rose, White on Red -- Unity/Flower Emblem of England Rose, Yellow -- Infidelity, Joy, Friendship, Welcome Back, Remember me Rose, Yellow & Orange -- Passionate thoughtsTulipsTulip -- Symbol of The Perfect Lover Tulip, Red -- Believe me, Declaration of love Tulip, Variegated -- Beautiful eyesOthersDaffodil -- Emblem of Annunciation/Regard, Unrequited love Daisy -- Gentleness, Innocence, Loyal love Iris -- Faith, Wisdom, Valor, Your Friendship means so much Orchid -- Magnificence, Love, Beauty, Refinement Sunflower -- Homage and DevotionA Heath is a gift researcher for http://www.the-gift-wizard. Selecting Outdoor Benches Outdoor benches are an excellent way to enhance a garden, create additional seating in a backyard or add a resting spot for a business. With outdoor benches, you will discover a huge selection of materials such as stone, wood, concrete, brick, etc. The Home Garden The garden should be near the house and away from trees. If it's some distance away from the house, it will not be as well looked after, nor will most use be made of vegetables grown. Get your Garden Cooking with Friable Soil Oh sure, fried green tomatoes are ok; but I'll take an extra helping of friable soil any day! This is the desire of any gardener who attempts to sink a shovel into the clay found in our area. Clay just does not make a great sandwich. Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) It is not difficult to grow bedding plants from seeds, and you may be surprised to know you do not need to have a greenhouse or some hot room to grow them in. I have managed to grow my plants by placing them in an old carton/pot covered in a polythene bag. Dont Roll that Lawn Every spring some mysterious hormone hits the male of the species and the urge to "do lawn work" strikes.One rite of spring is act of rolling the lawn. Fall is the Time to Get Your Garden Trees and Shrubs Ready for Winter: Heres What to Do Tips for winter care of trees and shrubsWith the garden season drawing to a close, it's awfully tempting to forget about your plants. But you should continue to water all woody plants - especially newly planted trees and shrubs and all evergreens. Tips For Successful Backyard Grape Growing Growing grapes in the backyard or garden can be a rewarding experience. It can also be quite a failure if not done properly. Patio Swings Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space with Comfort and Style Are you looking for a way to spruce up your patio while providing additional seating at the same time? Are you tired and bored of the same old stationary patio seating that can be purchased in most stores? If so, maybe you should consider furnishing your patio with a unique patio swing.In addition to creating additional seating, patio swings provide a place of relaxation and meditation that will be appreciated by the whole family and guests as well. Multi Purpose Tree - Sugar Palm Palm family is unique in the aspect that most of its members have muli purpose benefits to the mankind, unrivalled by few other trees. There are several palm species such as Borassus, Areca, Sago, Fish Tail etc. Discount Patio Furniture - An Easy Way to Get the Best Buying discount patio furniture is an economical way to obtain quality furniture for your patio. Many department stores offer patio furniture at discounted prices towards or at the end of the summer season. Pond Construction The location of your pond should be decided. You've picked a good spot in your yard where you can see the pond from different places, and it's near enough to the house so you can see it from a window. The Difference Between Large and Small Ponds If you think that a large pond is simply a small pond that "grew up", you're in for some pond maintenance problems. Let's start off my defining the terms that we'll be using here.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |