This is my side yard, facing south (Spring Time). Sebastian is my old magical Willow. He has quite a story. Behind the thick hedge of roses and blackberries is the road, and across from that is the River. Across the River, the mountains rise up. The first tree on the left in this photo is a Black Locust, and in the base there is a wild bee hive.
The Hive produces at least three new Queens each year. The first swarm is the 'old' Queen. The swarms that follow are new Queens. It is quite dramatic and thrilling to stand outside with them as they congregate. The sound is so loud it can be heard inside the house, which is how we know to come outside. They usually settle in our old Walnut Tree, but sometimes it is one of the Apple Trees. Usually they linger for about 24 to 48 hours, though this year they one swarm lingered several days.
My Mom lives up the mountain, and the view from her place is spectacular. You have to cross a one-lane bridge over the River, and then another, less substantial looking bridge across a large creek (always gives newcomers a pause
). Once the bridge is crossed, pavement is a dim memory, and potholes take over! There are areas where the road is a tunneled by overlapping Trees. When the sun pries through, it is very mystical. On the road up to her house (the 'driveway' is a couple miles long), we have encountered a River Otter, a Turtle (we relocated to a pond), and several times a Bear, sometimes with cubs.
In our yard, when the Bear have come, they have always remained very polite, and retreat up the back hill a little ways until our Lucy has taken care of her business. They do us a great service, and we live peacefully with them. (Apple Trees drop a LOT of apples and make a tremendous mess).
Our property is a 'no-kill' zone. The exception is: ticks and mosquitoes. We live easily with Wasps and all their relative (even the ones that live in the ground). Wasps are very social creatures, and very nosy at times. They like to know what you are doing. A little vinegar and water sprayed under the porch overhang keeps them discouraged from setting up their nests there. They are a gardeners friend.
Spiders are allowed in our house, as they perform a great service. We have fruit flies and gnats and other pesty critters, which the corner webs catch neatly. Every so often I go through and clean away their debris thick webs and they start all over.
Animals and all the various creatures we share this world with do not distress me. It is only people who can do real damage. But it is also people who can help us heal, too.
Yesterday was an especially beautiful Fall day, with crisp blue skies and the cottonballs of clouds scattered so artistically. River songs and Quail chatter, and the mournful cry of the Stellar Jay competing with the Squirrels in the Walnut Tree. Blissful
.... always with Love and Gratitude ^_^
