Mosaic Monday #30 - Movin' and Shakin' in May

Sandhill Crane by our lake

May has lingered.  Oh, not in a bad way.  Last week, I sat down at the keyboard to compose this May summary, and then a glance at the calendar brought me up short - whoa, there's another week left!  It occurred to me that, by week 3 of the month, I was full, satiated, deeply satisfied.  It led my mind to conclude that the month must be over!

First Glacier Lily in our yard 

Even my attempt to distill the month's activities yields seven major categories, in addition to our road trip, recent hikes, and my garden journal.  So much has happened in May that it's no wonder my brain would put me a week ahead of myself!  But, it's just too much for one post.  On the other hand, this is a helpful problem - I won't be running short of topics for weeks, months, maybe even years!  Does anybody need to "borrow" some of my material?

So, as unlikely as it might seem, I pared down my content to four subjects that brought me immeasurable joy this month.


REFINING OUR EXTERIOR LOOK

It was always our intent that our landscaping should evolve over time; I have grand visions for the ultimate look of our property.  This month, we stepped forward in this area, in both permanent and seasonal ways.  First, we added a jackleg fence to both sides of our driveway entrance.  It provided some needed definition, while maintaining the rustic feel we prefer.

Upper left: first section underway

Right: first section completed

Lower left: second section completed

Driveway with fences

All of the logs used for this project are lodgepole pines harvested from

our property during last year's thinning process

Second, we enhanced the driveway itself with dress gravel.  The original driveway was constructed with a crushed material that compacts to establish a firm foundation capable of withstanding the rigors of all four seasons in Montana.  Having passed through summer, fall and winter, the driveway was ready for dress gravel to provide a finished, clean look and better define parking/driveway areas from landscape/natural areas.

Left = before   Right = after

Driveway outside garage

Before and After; Looking down driveway toward road

Before and after: additional parking area, especially designed for the

RV owned by my younger brother and his wife!

Before and after - looking up the driveway from the road - WELCOME!

Third, we adjusted the location of several large rocks at the driveway entrance while our gravel contractor was on site with his Skid Steer (you can see them in the collage directly above this paragraph).  I am ecstatic that we have completed a few more stepping stones leading to the landscape we envision for the roadsides along the entrance.

My landscape design for the right side of the driveway is already a

year old, and our thinking has evolved.  But, you get the idea!

Fourth, we selected annuals for our deck planters.  Already, the little splash of color adds warmth and layering to the deck that is so absent in the winter.

Black-eyed Susan Vine; Ambella White Bellflower; Coleus;

Evening Star Trailing Petunia; Red and Orange Ivy Geraniums

BIRDWATCHING THROUGH THE SPOTTING SCOPE

In past posts (March 14, April 7, May 5), I have written about combining my spotting scope, PhoneSkope adapter and my phone to take bird pictures.  This month, with some assistance from Spousal Unit, I feel I have improved my technique.  It doesn't hurt that it's been a banner month for birds!

Left: Male Evening Grosbeak; Middle: Red-winged Blackbird; Right: Female Evening Grosbeak

One day, I saw a yellow-headed blackbird come to the feeder, which is quite unusual.  I set up the spotting scope with my phone and waited for it to return.  And the most wonderful thing happened.  I was passing the dining room window, and my brain, on alert for "birds", saw a "bird" and caused me to stop and look again.  This is what I saw.

Great Horned Owl

This stunning creature roosted in the same spot for over three hours.  We couldn't take our eyes off of him.  (We kept hoping he would swoop down and capture one of the Columbian ground squirrels scampering around below him, but it was not to be.  That may sound cruel, but they are eating some of my landscaping!)  I love the clarity of this photo, and wondered aloud why this came out so much better than my other shots.  Spousal Unit reminded me that Mr. Owl sat very still, whereas most of the other birds are constantly moving, not to mention the feeder on which they are sitting is often swaying in the breeze.  Right.

This discussion made me wonder if video might provide better clarity.  Maybe you can give me your opinion.  Here is a picture of a Blackheaded Grosbeak (it seems to have been the month for grosbeaks), followed by a video.  Make sure you watch the video through to the end - my sought-after Yellow-Headed Blackbird shows up after the grosbeak.

And here are a few other birds from the month.

Left: Rufous Hummingbird; Center: Song Sparrow; Right: Yellow-Headed Blackbird

In case you would like more, below is a video of the owl, and separately, the female blackheaded grosbeak.

ENJOYING A VARIETY OF WILDLIFE

Of course, we have more than just birds here!  The trail cams have continued to deliver a delightful menagerie.

Upper left: Red Squirrel; Upper right: Canada goose

Lower left: Mountain Cottontail (well-camouflaged, right?)  Lower right: Columbian Ground Squirrel

One morning, Spousal Unit suddenly grabbed the binoculars and said "Is that a moose?"  Well, that was better than a shot of espresso to get me going!  By the time we looked through the binoculars and the spotting scope, "it" was nowhere to be seen.  The good news?  The trail cam was in the perfect spot to capture "it".  So, I trotted down there and retrieved the disk, and this is "it".

A cow elk.  Elk are usually in herds; the fact she is on her own suggests she is ready to calve (give birth).

One of our neighbors told us today that he saw a cow and two calves in the last few days.  Might be her!

Another sign of spring - the young bucks with nubbins for antlers.

My heart always takes a little leap when I see the coyote on the trail cam.

And then there are the spring wildflowers.  

Upper left - I love to bring the outside in - larch, kinnikinnick, star-flowered Solomon's seal

Upper right: Oregon grape;  Bottom: Blue violet

Some of the flora we find is edible, as in the case of morel mushrooms.  I wrote in the past about a gift of morels from a neighbor - upon first taste of the sauce prepared by Spousal Unit, we were hooked.  Fully intending to go mushroom hunting on public lands this spring, we were pleasantly surprised to find enough around our own acreage to make a meal.  Melt in your mouth good!

REVELING IN THE SURPRISES

But the month wasn't complete without a couple surprises.  One day, Spousal Unit was tidying the woodpile and came back with this beauty - a long-toed salamander, which just happens to be the state salamander of Montana.  Yep, you know I love nature when I get excited about one of these!

And last but not least,  Spousal Unit was fishing the North Fork of the Flathead River, and popped into the Polebridge Mercantile.  Despite its middle-of-nowhere location, it is deservedly famous for its baked goods.  Imagine my delight when he returned to the house with two huckleberry bear claws.  Savoring this confection made up for the fact that he didn't hook a single fish!

What's not a surprise?  That Spousal Unit was the man behind both of these moments - I can always count on him to bring me joy! 

Mosaic Monday

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