Every spring and summer I am reminded how wonderful it is to live in a neighborhood so rich in nature. Each June we find the deer that graze through our yards throughout the year bringing out their new little ones to learn the yards and the food plate that is Stillwaters Estates. They casually wander by, nibbling here and there and they are so adorable we briefly forget the damage their nibbles cause!
Last week as I was walking through one of the new areas of Stillwaters, looking at newly built homes, I saw a Momma Mallard duck with her little ducklings following behind her inside one of our three retention ponds. Luckily they were sticking close to mom as they were only about the size of a softball. The pond is large enough to provide cover for the ducklings as well as other birds, and frogs. We have many birds in the neighborhood who enjoy the bug life here and keep it comfortable for humans.
Speaking of birds, we also have many birders in the neighborhood that feed and house Swallows, Sparrows and other species. I have Swallow “renters” in one of my bird boxes and have been watching 3 and maybe 4 babies grow bigger at an amazing rate. I think they were born around the first of June and already they are 3/4 the size of mom and dad. If you have ever had occupied bird boxes you know what a clatter they can make. I love that sound and sit on my back porch regularly just listening to their chatter.
Speaking of chatter. We have been listening to a energetic Sparrow sitting on top of our unoccupied box. He or she has been loudly and vigorously calling for a mate for the last week or so and then on Tuesday he/she changed their tune. Guess what happened? They have a mate and are now busy carrying in their nesting materials (I call this moving in the furniture) and soon will be roosting in the nest while production is underway. The sparrows and the swallows are not friendly with one another so it is good these boxes are far apart!
Click HERE for great bird camera watching from around the country.
If you want more information on putting up boxes or feeders, click HERE for a good resource.
Living in this rural neighborhood has it’s benefits and being close to nature is one of them. Here are some photos from around the neighborhood this June weekend.
Quote of the Week:
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” – Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
That’s it for this week. Enjoy the week ahead.
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