23 Mar 2010
Long Tough Winter
IT WAS NOT A MILD WINTER
This winter has been one for the record books. Snow, cold, rain, winds and not much sun. After the wet cold summer we had last year then came the mixed up winter. Now it’s March and the first day of spring in only a few days away, lots of rain and now the frost is mostly out and plants are starting to come up. Ground is so wet that water is just sitting there slowly sinking in.
Last fall we started out with some unruly weather, then came the frequent snow storms. Then came the winter snows not too much total accumulation but one after the other. There was a couple of times we had extremely warm weather between storms and most of the snow melted. Then to wake up in the morning and see another foot or so of new snow.
Birds feed heavily all winter at the feeders due to the snow cover, natural food covered up. We usually have a pair of Blue Birds this winter we had a flock. Our best count was 10 at one time. When the Blue Birds came so did the American Gold Finches. Lots of Morning Doves and Woodpeckers Hairy, Downey and Red Breasted.
We had Deer visit us a couple of times. We did not see the Foxes all winter until the other day we saw Mr. Fox passing through the yard. A couple of Red Squirrels and a few Gray Squirrels regularly feed at the feeders.
THAT’S ALL DEER TRACK
HOOF PRINT IN THE SNOW
YUCCA PLANTS FOR LUNCH
Late winter storm was rain, snow and 90 to 100 mph winds. 3 days of power outage followed that storm. Lots of trees down and branches all over the place. We had a very tall pine tree up root and fall taking out several other trees. Another broke off about half way up. Lots of clean up too be done this year.
HUNG UP IN SOME ASH TREES
PINE STUMP ROOTS AND ALL FOR SALE
Last storm was heavy rain causing flooding and many roads closed some for several days. we are now experiencing warm sunny weather 65 to 70 deg. many plants think spring is here and are starting to sprout. Liza’s winter sowing is sprouting and we are hoping that any cold snaps we get are not enough to kill the seedlings.
The past weekend was great 65 + Deg. Weather. Now its rainy and cold. Expecting cool rainy weather for the next few days. Garden shows this weekend not much will get done at Liza and John’s Garden. See you next post and I promise not so long between posts.
Hey Dad,
speaking of winter birds … do you guys get any Evening Grosbeaks? remember the huge flocks we used to get on Maple Ave.? I loved watching them!! I can’t say that I’ve seen any since we were kids …
Christina
(p.s. the deer have already taken nibbles at my Crocus’!!)
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
HI CMW: I remember the Evening Grosbeaks, have not seen any for years. I think they still exist just don’t come around here.
That may be chipmunks nibbling at your Crocus.
Dad
[Reply]
Christina Williams
March 24th, 2010 at 7:54 ampermalink
Hi There, Oh My I am Hoping you guys start seeing some better weather soon. I can not wait to see all of your beautiful flowers that will appear as soon as the weather gets better ! I have to say, down here we are really enjoying the cooler weather that seems to want to stick around…wish there was a way to have the best of both worlds : ) Miss you guys, keep warm & dry ! Jessica & Family
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
HI Jessica: All the snow is gone, had great weekend. Now we are cooler with rain and sun like March and April weather. Plants starting to come up will have some Daffodils in bloom soon. Looks like we will be in Florida for a few days end of April. Looking for some places to visit, like Gardens or Nature places. Got any suggestions ?
Enjoy the Evening,
John
[Reply]
Jessica
March 24th, 2010 at 9:34 ampermalink
I hope you get rid of all that snow soon. It has been a horrible winter but more so for you. I would like to ask what you have in the log feeder that the blue birds are loving?
Lona
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
HI Lona: Snow is all gone and plants are starting to come up. The mix I use in the log feeders is: Peanut Butter Chunky Style, Oatmeal and some corn meal to bind things up a little, raisins and Grape Jam Jelly or Preserves. I start with about a quart of the peanut butter then mix in the oatmeal add some raisins and the grape jelly. Mix it well and let it set a while to stiffen up. if it stays to soft add some corn meal or more oatmeal.
It needs to be solid enough to stay in the feeder holes. The more jelly the better. Nothing fussy about the amounts of stuff just get a mix that is firm and does not sag. I also use Orange De-lite Suit blocks in the suit feeders. A lot of other birds also like my mix and the suit. Go to the post EASTERN BLUEBIRDS More info there.
Enjoy the Evening,
John
[Reply]
Lona
March 24th, 2010 at 5:49 pmpermalink
Oh boy you guys really got socked didn’t you? Ouch! We had a winter like that here on the opposite coast last year and it was a bit much to take. Just one thing after another. You must be so happy to see the first day of spring. I hope you have a wonderful warm season…but not too warm, just as bad in the other direction. LOL
Your bird photos are marvelous! I love seeing that you two are taking care of those poor little things. I know it always warms my heart so much to see the birds feeding at our place when the snow is covering eveything outside.
I love your cardinals and wish I had such lovely birds here. I’m not sure I have ever actually seen one in person. They must be an amazing sight to see flying about.
Have a great time at the garden shows and I hope you come away with fresh wonderful ideas and hopefully a few bucks left in your wallet.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 8:27 am
HI LeSan: As it stands now all the snow is gone and we are experiencing some typical spring weather. Daffodils and tulips are poking up all over the place. Should have some bloom in a few days. Lot of other plants showing signs of life. Spring is here.
Bird activity is at a low now plenty of natural food available. Next wave of birds is the arrival of all the Black Birds. Crackles, Starlings, Red Wing Black birds and others all arrive at about the same time. Our yard is black at time’s when they arrive. We seem to be a resting or gathering spot in both the fall and spring migration. After that the Baltimore Oriole’s arrive.
Have a great day,
John
[Reply]
LeSan
March 25th, 2010 at 1:02 ampermalink
What a tough winter… the deer tracks in your yard say it all. I’m enjoying checking out your blog, and will be eager to see the results of the winter sowing, so be sure to post progress. I envy your 10 acres! Thanks for the welcome on Blotanical.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
HI Laurrie: Glad you enjoyed your visit. Its cold here again at least for a few days. Warmer weather coming next week. Winter sowing just starting to sprout up more will as weather gets warmer.
Enjoy your evening,
John
[Reply]
Laurrie
March 26th, 2010 at 11:10 ampermalink
Just got around to looking at this. Great pictures as usual
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
HI Cynthia: Just can’t convince that Cardinal to move to Florida. As far as I know he is the same one as in the other photos.
Have a great evening,
John
[Reply]
Cynthia
March 26th, 2010 at 12:08 pmpermalink
What a winter! We’ve had some bad ones in the past here on Vancouver Island but this last winter was so mild, I feel lucky. It’s great that you feed all those birds all winter, I’m sure you made huge difference to their survival. Thank your for the welcome to Blotanical and the invite to visit your blog too. Glad I visited.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
HI Helen: Check out Bluegategardens Blog http://bluegategardens.blogspot.com LeSan is from Washington State and is a artist. I think you will like her blog. Glad you enjoyed your visit, come back again anytime.
Have a great evening,
John
[Reply]
Helen at summerhouseart
March 26th, 2010 at 1:20 pmpermalink
It seems we all have to take our turn, and this winter was definitely your turn for bad weather! We had unusually mild weather this past winter, but the year before had a lengthy spell of extreme cold we thought would never end. So glad we are all witnessing Spring at last. Nice pictures, love the flock of bluebirds!
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 30th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
HI Cheryl: Glad you enjoyed your visit. Snow is gone and mud is here, 70 deg forecast for this weekend. Looks like this spring is going to be different also. Raining heavily right now, lots of flooding.
Enjoy the Evening,
John
[Reply]
Cheryl
March 29th, 2010 at 11:11 ampermalink
I used to live in New England. Looking at your pictures here, I’m sort of glad I don’t still. But I do miss the birds, and the autumn, and the weather, okay, I do wish I still lived in New England. Don’t worry, mud season will be here soon!
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 30th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
HI Susan: Mud season is here, raining heavily right now. 70 deg. forecast for this weekend. Are you sure you want to live in New England again?
Have a great evening,
John
[Reply]
Susan in the Pink Hat
March 29th, 2010 at 11:47 pmpermalink
Hello Jhon. Thank you for the comment on my page.
Looks so cold in your place.but Your garden has lots of wild visitors. and What a beautiful birds! I haven’t seen such colorful birds in Japan.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 6:38 pm
HI Ryotaro: Cold seems to be gone so far this spring 70 deg. weather predicted for this week end. Do you get the cold and snow like we do where you are ? There must be some colorful birds in japan ?
Have a great day,
John
[Reply]
Ryotaro
March 31st, 2010 at 9:11 ampermalink
Sounds like you endured an Alaskan winter. My apologies. But you are certainly not having an Alaskan spring. We don’t get those high digits until midsummer (and if we’re lucky).
Christine in Alaska
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Hi Christine B.: We have had worse winters, this year did not have any extreme cold or any real heavy snow storms only a lot of snow storms and steady cold temperatures. Now as we go into April we are looking at a heat wave. Because of all the rain the ground is saturated and will be a few days before it dry’s up a little. I have been around since before dirt and I do not recall any weather like this before.
Enjoy the evening,
John
[Reply]
Christine B.
March 31st, 2010 at 5:39 pmpermalink
Enjoyed your blog! And your garden looks lovely in the summer. Hope your weather has decided to commit to spring and straighten out for you!
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 3rd, 2010 at 7:01 am
HI Sandra: Spring is arriving here now. 70 deg weather predicted for this week end. Lots of things popping up. Flocks of Black Birds stopping by on their way wherever. Thanks for stopping by come back any time you are always welcome.
Have a wonderful day,
John
[Reply]
Sandra Parrill
April 2nd, 2010 at 11:21 pmpermalink
What a lot going on in this post! I love the photo of the deer hoof. Glad the tree fell on other trees and not your house. Let’s all hope for a mild spring and warm summer. I could use it. Seattle is gray, gray and gray, cold and rainy for two weeks now.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 5th, 2010 at 11:19 am
HI Sara: Sorry about the gray, gray weather. Sunny and warm here now.
Have a great day,
John
[Reply]
Sara Chapman in Seattle, USA
April 4th, 2010 at 12:48 ampermalink
What a great post. Your little birds are lovely, such beautiful colours. I though that we had a hard winter in the UK but your pictures make our snow fall look like a slight dusting.
I hope that Spring spring’s soon for you. It is still very cold here and the ground is very wet and not much good for anything. I am not very hopeful for my plans for the year.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 5th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Hi Natalie: We are having spring weather now, hope Mother Nature keeps us in her favor. Glad you enjoyed your visit come over any time you are always welcome.
Have a great evening,
John
[Reply]
Natalie
April 4th, 2010 at 5:50 ampermalink
I can’t even imagine a winter with all that snow! We had a harsh winter on the Gulf Coast as well, which for us meant a couple of weeks below freezing. It was crazy for someone like me who has never spent a winter above the Mason-Dixon line! I can’t imagine the patience it must take to wait for spring in your area, but in the meantime it looks like you were having fun getting the birds through the winter…what great pics!
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 5th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Hi Bethany: Thanks for visiting our blog. We have a place in Florida and it was a hard and unusual winter there to. Come visit again you are welcome any time.
Have a great day,
John
[Reply]
Bethany
April 4th, 2010 at 11:16 ampermalink
burrr! You are having quite a winter.
Love the birds
Beth
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 12:57 am
HI Beth: We are now experiencing 70 deg weather. Lots of plants coming up all over the place. If we get a hard frost a lot will be damaged or lost.
Enjoy gardening,
John
[Reply]
Beth
April 7th, 2010 at 12:35 ampermalink
I must say that even if it puts a damper on a gardener’s spirit, all that snow does look lovely in the pictures! Hope the sun shines in your garden soon!
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 16th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Hi sparemyair: Snow is all gone now, warm sunny days mostly. Lots of things coming up, hope we don’t get a hard frost.
Enjoy the evening,
John
[Reply]
sparemyair
April 16th, 2010 at 1:46 ampermalink
Hello, John.
This winter, we also had a lots of snow.
We also give food to birds. But we don’t have red and blue birds.
They are so beautiful.
Have a nice day.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 17th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Hi Ellada: Thanks for stopping by, glad you enjoyed your visit. I am working on slide shows of the Bluebirds and the Cardinals. will be posting them soon.
Have a great day,
John
[Reply]
ellada
April 17th, 2010 at 4:26 pmpermalink
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. You have a nice looking blog and a beautiful garden. I look forward to seeing what is growing there now that spring is here. Liza takes very good photographs.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 17th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Hi Pam: Working on a post of whats up and blooming now. Should be done tomorrow evening. Spring is about 3 weeks early this year, some plants are confused.
Have a great day,
John
[Reply]
Pam's English Garden
April 17th, 2010 at 7:50 pmpermalink
Hi Grandpa
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Hi Katherine: Thanks your interest in our blog. We have set you up to receive Email notice when a new post is published.
Have a wonderful day,
Nana and Grampa
[Reply]
katherine Wells
April 24th, 2010 at 7:55 pmpermalink
Great photos; I love snow scenes. Sorry to hear you had a long tough Winter. I hope it’s all behind you now.
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:33 am
Hi Linda: Winter seems to be over and we are having a warmer than normal spring. Although as we departed for Florida this morning there was frost. Now we are in Florida and will see how are gardens here are doing in the morning. Glad you liked our Gardens, come and visit any time you are always welcome.
Have a great day,
John
[Reply]
Linda
April 25th, 2010 at 1:38 ampermalink
The bird pictures were lovely. To someone who grew up in NJ with grandparents and parents who fed the birds, it was wonderful. So was the snow, though I’m sure you’ve seen way too much of it. Now that I live in extreme S. TX, where winters like that aren’t gonna happen, I thoroughly enjoy seeing all the pretty pics. Sigh…I miss real seasons. And snow. And pretty birds…
[Reply]
jwlw Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Hi Squirtbug: We have a place in Florida as a mater of fact we are there now. We left NH this morning with a light frost around. Will see how things are going in our Florida gardens Thursday morning. You Texas gardeners think that things that happen to us NH cannot happen to you. You better look out the window to see what is going on right now in your gardens. Strange things are happening all over the world.
Have a great day,
John
[Reply]
sb158
April 27th, 2010 at 2:18 ampermalink