April Colors

May 4th, 2009


Ah, April. That month when, beyond the obvious deepening green, the colors of the coming summer begin to form in all their pastel glory. A sampling below.

Blue Heron and Wood Duck

April 8th, 2009

This time they were Wood Ducks. I was out for a walk in the arboretum Sunday morning when I saw the Blue Heron in the creek. With a long lens I took a few pictures and while I was taking pictures a pair of Wood Ducks swam past.

Strange Artistic Sights

March 30th, 2009

While we are on the subject of art: pi was seen in the arboretum, just behind the gazebo, a rare view in nature. I don’t know why it appeared in the form of a Greek symbol being as we are in the new world but there you have it.

Strange Sights

March 27th, 2009


Goggle wearing hens were sighted near the edge of the farm.

New Duck

March 22nd, 2009

The weather has turned nice and sunny, enough to bring out the crocus in full bloom. I took a walk along the creek and saw three Wood Ducks. They didn’t stay around long enough to be photographed. Further down the creek another pair of what I thought were Wood Ducks. They turned out to be a never before seen duck, on this farm by this photographer: Green-Winged Teal. Again one hopes the pair plan to nest here.

A Look Back

January 11th, 2009

With this blast of cold air, I think it is a good time to take a look back to some colors of autumn before looking ahead to spring. (The orange witch hazel is already showing signs of blooming.) There is the squash collection and the sassafras at its peak. This morning I meditated along the creek and watched the kingfisher fish.

Blue Heron

December 5th, 2008


I was out chasing the Blue Heron the other day. It is hanging around the farm creek a lot more these days. I got a couple of pictures because it kept jumping up and landing again. When it finally flew off I walked on down the creek and scared up a mate. I was not prepared with my camera. I hand never seen a pair here. Is it too much to hope for a nest this spring?

Kingfisher Returns

November 29th, 2008


I had heard rumors that the Kingfisher had returned to the creek; a report of a sighting from someone here, a claim of hearing it there. I had never seen it myself. I saw it this morning, actually I heard it first, followed the sound, and got a couple of elementary pictures.

Pawpaw

September 21st, 2008


It has been a good year for the Pawpaw tree. It has produced the most ever pawpaw fruits, and large clusters of fruits. Here is a picture of a cluster of 13 of which 11 are showing. The fruits are quite sweet…if only they didn’t have the aftertaste.

Gypsy Hill Farming is Back

September 5th, 2008

After a bit of a hiatus, out of the country, turned 60, and worked on the bathroom, the blog is back. The first picture combines actual flowers growing in the arboretum and work on the bathroom. The second shows party reminders in the Pawpaw tree with the new bamboo in the background. If you look closely you can see a Pawpaw fruit in the picture.