Month: March 2020

Rambling along, singing a song…the truth is, I do often sing (or whistle) as I walk. I’m usually the only human around to hear it (it sometimes startles the other animals); but things are different now. Buncombe County has issued a “stay home, stay safe” order; as a result, many neighbors are around when I walk. We sometimes talk from a safe distance—sometimes while passing on the road or when passing by a neighbor’s house. I’ve had more interactions on my walks in the last week than I usually do in a month or more. Maybe that’s one benefit from this pandemic. UPDATE: The governor has just issued a “Stay home” order beginning Monday at 5PM.

3-23-20

3-24-20

3-25-20

3-26-20

3-27-20

As you can tell from the photos above, the rain continues to come and go; we’ve had enough rain recently to raise the river level (again). The temperatures have been mostly mild. Yesterday it was in the 30s when I got up and climbed into the 70s by the afternoon. It’s in the 80s now, well above our “normal” high of 62º and breaking the old record of 80º. Next week’s forecast calls for highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s. This morning I was sweating in a short-sleeve t-shirt when I walked, but my winter coats still hang on the coat rack.

At least the trees and flowers recognize that it’s still spring.

Cut-leaved Toothwort Cardamine concatenata

Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis

Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis

Golden ragwort Packera aurea

Cut-leaved Toothwort Cardamine concatenata

In addition to the flowers, I see many other interesting and beautiful things when I walk.

I just fed the deer; I don’t think they’re happy with the abnormally warm weather. They haven’t finished shedding their winter coats, and they were bothered by flies. These are from other days:

At the salt lick

You can see that my meadow has been mowed; the field on the other side of the gate has been mowed, too.

3-23-20

3-24-20

3-25-20

3-26-20

3-27-20

I hope to post again soon.

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Spring continues to make her way in, although sometimes it seems to be two steps forward, one step back. Dressing for the weather has been a bit challenging; I usually start out in layers and then hang a jacket and/or a long-sleeved shirt on a branch somewhere along the way.

3-19-20

3-20-20

3-21-20

3-22-20

I’ve been walking almost daily for many years, but in these times of a global pandemic, it is especially good for my soul, as well as for my health. If social isolation is necessary for the sake of everyone, including ourselves, I can think of worse times and places for it to have happened for me. Nature is so busy in spring that there is always something new to distract me from what’s going on in the rest of the world.

More and more butterflies are beginning to fly around, although they are generally too quick/small/far away for me to get a picture. See what I mean?

Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa

Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis

The weather has been warmer, and I saw two Eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus), one on a tree stump and the other on the wall beside my vegetable garden (which makes me very happy!).

I’m seeing more spring blooms, too!

Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis

Golden ragwort Packera aurea

Cut-leaved Toothwort Cardamine concatenata

Carolina Spring-Beauty Claytonia caroliniana

Dandelion Taraxacum officinale

Confederate violet Viola sororia fo. priceana Confederate violet

The deer, who are beginning to shed, continue to come to eat, and so does old tom turkey, who has begun to gobble.

It’s time to feed the critters and decide which leftovers I’ll eat tonight. It’s hard to stay inside when spring pulls me outside (all those garden chores!), but I’ll try to post again soon. Keep well!

3-19-20

3-20-20

3-21-20

3-22-10

Spring—the vernal equinox—arrives officially March 19 at 11:49 p.m. EDT! According to space.com, it will be the earliest spring in 124 years. I hope that seeing trees budding, shrubs blooming, and spring flowers bursting with color will make the world a bit brighter for everyone. We could all use some cheering up, given the effects of the global pandemic of the novel coronavirus pandemic. I know I’m fortunate to able to “self-isolate” in such a peaceful place.

3-15-20

3-16-20

3-17-20

3-18-20

I just finished my walk, and today it was more of a ramble, especially after I noticed a bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) blooming. And then another. Several more were too far down the creek bank for me to get close. The most abundant wildflower around here now is golden ragwort (Packera aurea), although the common blue violets (Viola sororia) are beginning to add color in the Hollow. And I enjoy spotting the much smaller American field pansies (Viola bicolor) in a few places alongside the road.

Bloodroot

Bloodroot

Golden ragwort and dandelion

Common blue violet

American field pany

I’ve written several times about seeing deer as I ramble. Today I saw this little doe (2019 fawn) as I rounded a bend. I expected her to run off, but she walked toward me until she got close and finally crossed the road in front of me. I’ll probably be seeing her in a little while when I go down to feed.

I never know where I’ll see a deer. Lil Buck showed up one day and ate birdseed on the patio.

There are other critters in the Hollow, of course, including in my house. These two (Cisco and Pancho) are new additions to the family. It’s a great time to have in-home entertainment!

And now it’s time to feed the deer and check on the muchachos (who are confined to my bedroom until they can be introduced to my two older cats). And right now they are wearing cones when not being supervised since they were neutered only last week.I hope this post finds you and yours in good health. It’s hard to know what the future will bring, but it should bring another post from me before too long. Keep safe and stay well!

3-15-20

3-16-20

3-17-20

3-18-20

Signs of spring are beginning to appear. After being gone for a few days, when I returned I was surprised to see–and hear—how spring was starting to emerge.

2-28-20

2-29-20

3-1-20

3-2-10

3-3-20

3-4-20

3-5-20

3-12-20

3-13-20

3-14-20

One of the tom turkeys has begun gobbling in the morning. I didn’t hear him this morning, but I was greeted by this serenade when I hung out the bird feeder:

Strange deer have begun showing up in the meadow, and the regulars are not hospitable.

We had three inches of snow a couple of weeks ago. The poor turkey showed up early.

The deer didn’t show up until mid-morning and were glad to get brunch. (Look closely and you’ll see two young deer eating, not one fat one.)

The snow melted quickly and was mostly gone by the time I walked after lunch.

I was happy to get home after my travels and give thanks every day that I live where I do and am able to enjoy my rambles. I hope to write more again soon!