Winter is here!

Yesterday I noticed that the pond has started to freeze over after several very cold days and nights. Winter is definitely setting in and there may not be any more kayaking until spring.


Looking down towards the pond this morning it has turned white in the first real snow fall we have had this winter.

Brrrr! Here we go!

The Coming of Fall

Smokey and Dryad are cousins and Smokey seemed to recognize this immediately. He loves his wild little relative.

This shot was captured during an idyllic evening kayak on Trues Pond.

The seasons of Maine are magical. In spring, the red maple blooms compete with all the different shades of pale green. As summer progresses the greens blend together until late summer and early fall when golds, yellows and reds begin to creep in until once more every tree is a different shade.

Here the changing trees are reflected in the water of Ruffingham Meadow in Searsmont with the reeds starting to blend into gold.

Pastel early sunset over Ruffingham Meadow

After a few days of rain we had a huge brush burning session and cleared much of the front yard.


Another "mistake". Dryad's brother Nixie on his terrified first day. All the remaining kittens were taken to the shelter, but it was full and Nixie came to join my family.

Fiddlehead ferns begin to change color quite early.

Red maples on the edge of a wetland

Red maples on Trues Pond during yet another magical kayak trip.

Late Summer

It was with delight that I greeted the return of our pileated woodpecker to the tree outside the bedroom window. Hopefully he will stay for the winter.

Later summer mushroom hunting was rewarding after some heavy rains. The black trumpets below are delicious and easy to recognize.

And this is Dryad, a strange looking kitten with dark, charcoal gray striped fur and huge tufts in his ears.

A Fox in the Flowerbed!

Early morning in Montville and a calm scene as mist rises from Trues Pond. There is a distinct chill in the air today. Some maples are turning color, fall is coming! When I returned to the house I spotted a red fox dashing across the flowerbed next to the screen porch! Sadly I did not have time for a photo.

The front garden, looking down the driveway.

Another gaillardia

A bee enjoys a small sunflower from a seed that escaped the bird feeder

Bee balm, a favorite with humming birds

My hibiscus that lives indoors through the winter.

Anemone

A toad, one of my favorite garden helpers with it's appetite for slugs!

Summer flowers

First we had drought and heat and now endless rain! The garden is struggling, but here are some of the beauties that have survived the weather and are currently in bloom.Delphinium

Blanket Flower - Gaillardia

Oriental Lily - Stargazer. Their scent fills the air!

Hosta

Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal flower, native to Maine

Tiger Lily

Passion Flower - Passiflora

Purple Cone Flower - Echinacea purpurea

Daylilies

In the last couple of days I have seen some leaves beginning to change and heard the geese beginning to fly south. Looks like another harsh winter is on its way.

Summer Wildlife

Living out in nature is one thing, close encounters with bears is quite another!
It was quite a shock to find this very large bear staring in through my living room window!

I am assuming this is who is responsible for all my nibbled hostas!

And the beneficial wildlife. This pretty little toad is one of many frogs and toads found in my garden and busy feasting on slugs.

Misty morning sunlight, as seen from the screen porch.

And a peaceful late afternoon paddle on the pond. It had retreated to the old river banks but recent heavy rain is swiftly restoring water levels.

Summer in Maine

The days are packed and busy. I keep meaning to prepare a post with beautiful pictures and there is never time. So just a few thoughts.

A gentle rain is falling, the birdsong is soothing and a bullfrog is booming away down on the pond. And talking of the pond, with the dam still leaking it had dried back to the old river bed. But the heavy rains have filled it a little and it now looks more like a swamp than a river. But the water hyacinths are starting to grow and I am afraid that it will never truly return to being a pond if it is allowed to stay dry much long. I wonder what happened to the nesting loons? I often hear an osprey. The fishing is good when the pond is reduced in size.

We had a terrific thunderstorm yesterday. The cats were all crying in terror and I turned off all power. There is some shoveling to do where washouts occurred. The rain was very violent for a while. And then the sun came out and it was a beautiful afternoon. The firewood stack is taking shape, a bit late, but at least it is finally happening. There is still so much to do to prepare the house for winter.

Hosing with humming birds

Wouldn't you know it, no camera with me this morning while watering the garden. A humming bird came by and started feeding from some of the flowers. Then, to my huge amusement, she tried to perch on a large hosta leaf to drink the water droplets. Not easy and she kept slipping and rolling off to one side. It was so funny and a struggle not to be disrespectful enough to laugh. She gave up after a while after a few more sips of nectar flew through the spray from the hose to wet her wings and then sat on a branch cleaning up.

Loons, Lupins and Bluebells

My fledgling garden is looking so beautiful and will only improve as the plants become established and multiply. These wood anemones were donated by my friend Bev.There is so much beauty as the seasons change in Maine. Lilacs do really well here, but have just gone by. Now it is the turn of the wild lupins, lining every roadside in all their blue, pink and wihite glory. The lupin bed in my yard is coming along, but a bit pathetic at the moment. Lupins do not like to be moved and mine are showing it. These were seen near the library in Searsmont.

What I am really happy about is these Spanish Bluebells. They look glorious now and will multiply quickly as the years pass.


Yesterday I went kayaking on Trues Pond. These yellow water lilies (Nuphar microphylla) are just coming into bloom.
This male(?) loon is keeping a very close eye on me.
His behavior alerted me to the proximity of his mate on the nest. Once aware of it, I was careful not to get too close. She is panting in the heat.
This morning this pretty little Eastern (or Red Spotted - Notophthalmus viridescens) was crouching near my garden hose.

More Spring flowers

My garden continues to delight! This is a treasured Iris Cristata
And here is a lovely dark purple columbine.

Grape hyacinth
The wild English cowslip, Primula Veris.
And some pink violets.
A species tulip
And one of the many ladyslipper orchids growing on my land.