Posts made in December, 2013

Poison Ivy: Hairy Vine, A Danger Sign

Posted by on Dec 26, 2013 in adaptations, plant parts, Unmowed Blog, winter | 10 comments

Poison Ivy: Hairy Vine, A Danger Sign

How can you tell if it’s poison ivy twined around your backyard tree, when the leaflets three are long gone? Look for the hairy vine.

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Welcome the Light!

Posted by on Dec 24, 2013 in holiday, photos, Unmowed Blog, winter | 2 comments

Welcome the Light!

A very merry, happy, light-filled solstice to all!

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The grass is always greener…

Posted by on Dec 20, 2013 in flowers, Unmowed Blog, winter | 0 comments

The grass is always greener…

I can’t decide if these geraniums are yearning to be free, or if they’re appreciating their tropical environment (they’re on a nice cozy windowsill next to the pellet stove). I think it’s the latter, and they’re shamelessly flaunting their pink blossoms to their frozen cousins outdoors. Geraniums are originally from South Africa, so they like it warm but not too torrid. They were imported to England in the 1600s by a botanist named John Tradescant, who was gardener to the rich and elegant Duke of Buckingham, famed for his fabulous mansions and gardens...

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Goldenrod: Fill Up the Feeders

Posted by on Dec 15, 2013 in birds, seeds, Unmowed Blog, wildlife, winter | 0 comments

Goldenrod: Fill Up the Feeders

Big winter storm! For once the weather hysterics were right, and we got a lot of snow, even more than they threatened. A winter wonderland which is great for kids (tough luck it’s on a Sunday, guys, could have been a snow day…). Great for skiiers. Great, in fact, for all snow lovers, including mice, red squirrels and meadow voles who can tunnel safely beneath the drifts and avoid predators. But deep snow is tough on some types of wildlife. If the seeds are all hidden underneath a blanket of white, what’s a bird to do? Looks like it’s shaping up to be a long cold...

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Remembering Newtown

Posted by on Dec 14, 2013 in Unmowed Blog | 0 comments

Remembering Newtown

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