Wood Warblers This Winter of 2018 has been long and cold and quiet. It is nearly April and I long for the return of our songbirds, especially the Wood Warblers. The first green shoots of snowdrops have begun to push through the thawing crusty soil. Sugar maples are tapped and the sap has been flowing for awhile now. Steam is streaming out of sugar shacks throughout the countryside. On warmer days our year-round birds are singing. Robins and White-throated Sparrows are turning over … [Read more...] about Songbirds of 2017 ~ Wood Warblers
Butterflies of 2017
During this cold winter, I am sorting through brightly colored photographs from my compilation of Flower Hill Farm butterflies entitled ~ Butterflies of 2017. Over the years, I have documented fifty plus species of butterflies by family on my website under Photography and Wildlife. All are species that I was fortunate to find here within my 21 acre wildlife habitat. I have made an exception in this post and have included a picture of a few Northern Pearly Eyes not taken on my property. I had … [Read more...] about Butterflies of 2017
Returning Spring and Songbirds
Today was a happy day in the garden enjoying the returning Spring and songbirds. And I am elated to add a new species to my pages here under Wildlife. I now have 75 species of birds featured with vivid photographs and listed by family on my website. I had wished for years to see this bright and striking Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) in the gardens. I did today!! I hope he will entice a mate to come and join him with his sweet zippy song. And that the songbirds will have a … [Read more...] about Returning Spring and Songbirds
Wood Community
Wood and Stone in WinterOne cloudy afternoon in late February, whispering songs of our wood community floated uphill, and escorted by cold air slithered through tiny cracks around my windows and doors and gently trickled into my thought wave. I felt the pull, bundled up, and stepped outdoors. I made my way along the east-facing icy slope pacing myself in my well-worn UGG boots, guided by a resident pileated woodpecker and the snow tracks of wild turkey, bobcat, and deer. The bobcat and deer … [Read more...] about Wood Community
There Is No Place Like Home for the Winter
During January, February, and the first week of March of last winter, I was surrounded by lovely people, tropical hummingbirds, butterflies, bright flowers, and the Caribbean Sea. A few days ago, when snow was falling all around Flower Hill Farm Retreat, I was not longing for the beauty and warmth of Treasure Beach, Jamaica. Being home is inspiring. The beauty of snow fog adds a mystical and mysterious element to being out in the gardens and landscape. The leafless trees and shrubs are like … [Read more...] about There Is No Place Like Home for the Winter
