For Every Bird a Nest

For Every Bird a Nest

by | May 20, 2011 | Farm Blog, Flora and Fauna, Native Wildlife

Last week I was out in the orchard, pulling weeds, and startled someone in our ‘Flavor Delight’ Aprium tree.  Not thinking much of it, I went back to weeding.  Throughout the afternoon though I noticed a rather drab bird darting in and out of the branches. Finches…...
Arboreal Salamander

Arboreal Salamander

by | Dec 20, 2010 | Farm Blog, Flora and Fauna, Native Wildlife

With a large, and persistent Pacific storm lashing the coast of California in recent days, there’s enough water running everywhere to make me think I’m going to sprout gills and webbed toes.  It’s rained 17 of the first 20 days in December, although our rainy month...
Cat Among the Chickens

Cat Among the Chickens

by | Nov 19, 2010 | Chickens, Farm Blog, Native Wildlife

Unlike the similarly titled Agatha Christie novel…there’s no mystery here, and today’s Fowl Friday post clearly falls into the non-fiction category. Late Wednesday afternoon, just after 4 PM, I was on the phone, when out of the corner of my eye I saw the side of the...
Syrphid Flies

Syrphid Flies

by | Nov 1, 2010 | Beneficial Insects, Farm Blog, Native Wildlife

Syrphid flies, also known as hover flies, or flower flies, are often overlooked, but these small beneficial insects are worth attracting to any garden. An important component of organic gardening is being aware of predator and prey relationships among the leaves and...