(Myrtle) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

The Yellow-rumped Warble species is one of the most widespread and most commonly encountered but I have photographed a Yellow-rumped Warbler only once before; during the fall migration and my first visit to the The Beanery at Rea Farm.

There are two main populations: "Audubon's" found in the western U.S. and British Columbia mountains, and "Myrtle" found from the eastern U.S. to Alaska.

Both populations display bright yellow rumps and sides, with "Audubon's" having yellow throats and "Myrtle" having white throats that extend below the cheek. They breed in coniferous or mixed forests near clearings and are also found in various habitats during migration and winter, including woodlands, shrubby areas, coastal dunes, fields, parks, and residential areas.

The one I photographed in Cape May and the one I photographed in my backyard are Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers. I was very excited and very surprised when I heard the Warbler. I pulled out the Merlin ID app to confirm the call and then sat patiently on the deck in the backyard for my entire lunchtime, waiting for the opportunity. I struggled to get a good clear photograph of the Warbler.

Yellow-rumped Warblers primarily feed on insects, often seen hopping between perches. They also consume berries in winter. Their calls are distinct: "check" for Myrtle and rising "chit" for Audubon’s. I could hear two distinct calls from either end of the woods beyond the fence line.

tevaplanter update

Kickstarter plant project failed; tevaplanter killed my orchids and ferns.

Three years ago, I was excited to back a Kickstarter project promising a fresh approach to plant growth. The tevaplanter is a terracotta vessel designed to act like a water bank, slowly diffusing water through tiny holes to plant roots. Fascinated by the concept and being a plant lover myself, I threw my support behind it. I was well aware of the hit-or-miss nature of Kickstarter projects. So when the tevaplanter arrived three years later than promised, I was annoyed but not entirely surprised.

My initial excitement turned into disappointment when the planter I received didn't do its job. But kudos to their customer support; they swiftly replaced my faulty unit. I tested the water flow through the hole before eagerly attaching one of my orchids. This orchid had thrived in a planter using LECA.

LECA, or Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate, is a lightweight aggregate beloved by hydroponic and aquaponic enthusiasts. It's made by heating clay to expand it into small, porous pellets. These pellets provide excellent aeration and drainage for roots, making them a hit among indoor gardeners like myself.

I've got an aquarium, a terrarium, and a jungle-like home filled with tropical plants. But despite my green thumb, the tevaplanter proved to be my plant nemesis. It claimed the lives of one orchid and two ferns in my attempts to make it work.

6 February 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF27mmF2.8 R WR

Desperate to salvage the situation, I transferred another thriving orchid, previously flourishing in LECA and filtered water, into the tevaplanter. I'm at the point of losing a fourth plant. After half a year of battling, I've thrown in the towel on the tevaplanter.

Sure, it might be fine for growing chia seeds, but so is any $21 chia pet from Amazon. I've scoured the web for success stories with the tevaplanter, but they're as elusive as a green thumb in a desert. Reddit's awash with dismal reviews, and even Trustpilot isn't singing its praises.

Disappointment doesn't quite cover it, especially considering the lofty promises made during the Kickstarter campaign and the excruciatingly long production delay.

In my book, this product doesn't work as advertised.

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Chipmunk spotted despite camouflaged stripes blend with forest's edge.

I don’t think I have photographed a chipmunk before. A long time ago I planted tulips and other bulb plants in the garden bed at the front of our home. Whenever I was in the garden cleaning up dried leaves and and pulling weeds I would see a chipmunk scoot across the driveway from our yard to the neighbour’s. I have not seen any on that side of the house. I think they ate all of the bulbs as the tulips have not grown in years.

I noticed a chipmunk scampering around on the deck in the rear of our home but this is the first time I have seen it in the open. It was easing something. I assume it was berries. It scampered around on the soft green moss under the trees before heading for the fence line to forage in the dried leaves.

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) · 10 April 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

The dark brown to blackish stripes on the back and sides help to camouflage the chipmunk. Once he started scampering around the leaves at the fence line marking the forest edge it became hard to find it for the photograph.

Eastern chipmunks are listed as a species of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.