My cheesy Valentine's Day poster.
2/14/10
1/13/10
icy luminaries
In this dark cold time of the year ice luminaries make the outdoors look beautiful. I was inspired to make these luminaries by the New Year's Eve candlelight walk at Fort Snelling State Park.
1. Get two containers for the ice mold. One should be a smaller size to use for the inside of the mold.
2. Use the bigger container first. Fill up about two inches with water and let it freeze.
3. After the bottom freezes put the smaller mold in. Put stones in the smaller mold to hold it in place. Allow enough space for ice to freeze around it. If the smaller mold doesn't stay in place, put a little water the bottom of it and let it freeze to the base.
4. Add water to the mold. If you want you can put berries in the mold or other things you like.
5. Wait for the mold to freeze.
Containers for the ice mold (left) a frozen ice mold (right)
6. After it's frozen, bring the container inside (or to a warmer place) to thaw. To speed up the process I took out the stones from the smaller mold and used boiling water to thaw the inner mold. After the inner mold is removed the outer side of the outer container will melt.
1/11/10
happy 2010!
I would like to start 2010 with a pledge to the earth. Come on and say it with me. "I pledge allegiance to the earth and all the life which it supports. One planet in our care, irreplaceable, with sustenance and respect for all."Let's love mother earth and each other in 2010.
10/7/09
the cicadas took over
The cicadas were abundant in the garden this summer, from late July to the middle of September. A few photos of adult "Dog Day" cicadas.
(photos from mid-September 2009)8/13/09
dog-day cicada emerges
This summer I watched an annual or "Dog-day" cicada transform from a nymph to an adult. The entire process took about an hour and a half.
Folklore says that, "When you hear the first song of the dog-day cicadas, the first frost is just six weeks away."
Emerging from its nymphal skin
Stretching out its wings.
Resting on its nymphal skeleton. Stretching out its wings a little more.
Its wings are almost all the way extended.
Its wings are almost dry and ready to go. Soon after this cicada flew off.
Folklore says that, "When you hear the first song of the dog-day cicadas, the first frost is just six weeks away."
Emerging from its nymphal skin
Stretching out its wings.
Resting on its nymphal skeleton. Stretching out its wings a little more.
Its wings are almost all the way extended.
Its wings are almost dry and ready to go. Soon after this cicada flew off.A description of the "Dog-day" cicada from the University of Kentucky.
"Cicada nymphs develop underground, feeding on root sap of various trees and shrubs. The nymphs are generally pale brown, rather hunch-backed, and have stout forelegs they use to dig through soil. The life history of species found in Colorado is poorly understood. Development likely takes between two to five years to complete.
Cicadas go through a simple metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages. After emerging from the ground during summer months, cicadas quickly mate and the females insert eggs into small twigs on living trees using a knife-like ovipositor (egg laying structure). When nymphs hatch from the eggs, they burrow into the soil where they feed underground on the juices of plant roots. During growth and development, the nymphs shed their skins several times as they get larger. After several years (1-3 years for most annual cicada species and 13 or 17 years for many of the periodical cicada species) the nymphs emerge from the soil, climb onto tree trunks, then shed their skins a final time to become winged adults. Adult cicadas produce hitch-pitched, droning noises. These courtship songs help male and female cicadas find one another, and each species has its own distinct song."
"Cicada nymphs develop underground, feeding on root sap of various trees and shrubs. The nymphs are generally pale brown, rather hunch-backed, and have stout forelegs they use to dig through soil. The life history of species found in Colorado is poorly understood. Development likely takes between two to five years to complete.
Cicadas go through a simple metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages. After emerging from the ground during summer months, cicadas quickly mate and the females insert eggs into small twigs on living trees using a knife-like ovipositor (egg laying structure). When nymphs hatch from the eggs, they burrow into the soil where they feed underground on the juices of plant roots. During growth and development, the nymphs shed their skins several times as they get larger. After several years (1-3 years for most annual cicada species and 13 or 17 years for many of the periodical cicada species) the nymphs emerge from the soil, climb onto tree trunks, then shed their skins a final time to become winged adults. Adult cicadas produce hitch-pitched, droning noises. These courtship songs help male and female cicadas find one another, and each species has its own distinct song."
8/10/09
long vacation
It's been a long vacation from blogging. I've been busy gardening, bird watching, and just being alive. Best of all, I got married to my love.
3/26/09
watch out squirrels
Beware squirrels there's a new sheriff in town, the Red-tailed Hawk. Last week a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk stopped in an elm tree in the backyard for a gray squirrel meal. This was the first time we saw a Red-tailed Hawk in the yard and we had a front row seat to the carnage. The hawk vigorously pulled apart the squirrel and ate. After a while, crows swarmed in and mobbed it. Eventually the hawk had enough of being harassed and flew off with the squirrel in its talons.
A juvenile Red-tailed Hawk with its prey.
Crows harassing the hawk
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