Tag: Spring

Blue-eyed Native

It's that time of the year again (May) - the sun is shining, birds are singing, and the "container garden meadow" on my patio is bursting with life like a group of enthusiastic skydivers jumping off a plane!

It's that time of the year again (May) - the sun is shining, birds are singing, and the "container garden meadow" on my patio is bursting with life like a group of enthusiastic skydivers jumping off a plane!

I live in a townhome community where the garden soils are rockier1 than in a Stallone movie, and native plants are about as rare as a unicorn. And don't even get me started on the landscaping crew, who seem to have a feud against anything not purchased at a Home Depot Garden Center or the ever-hungry deer who treat my lovely little garden like I'm running a free salad bar.

But I refused to be defeated! Sometimes inspiration strikes in the oddest of places. I stumbled upon an article called "Container Gardening with Native Plants" on the Missouri Botanical Garden website, and a lightbulb went off in my head. With creativity and the simplicity of container gardening, I planted a thriving meadow outside my patio door.

Sisyrinchium angustifolium, or blue-eyed grass as it's commonly known, is a New Jersey native. Its grass-like foliage (for which it's named) may fool some, but it's actually a member of the iris family. This simple clump-forming perennial produces stunning violet-blue flowers with yellow eyes in the spring, which grow on flattened, branched stems. S. angustifolium used to go by the name S. bermudianum. The plant is indigenous to the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda hence the bermudianum in the former name.

I excitedly showed Bhavna my latest gardening triumph. It's taken some time and effort, but she agrees that my gardening skills are on point.

  1. Believe it or not, the neighbouring borough is called Rocky Hill! ?

Airbnb for Birds and Butterflies

I want to provide a home for some butterfly or moth larvae, and the Eastern Columbine has got it covered.

The Eastern Columbine is a herbaceous perennial plant that stole my heart with its delicate, lobed leaves and unique bell-shaped flowers the first time I saw it growing in the garden at Leonard J. Buck Garden. The flowers are a fiery red and yellow combo, sometimes an alluring all-red or all-yellow look. These beauties bloom in the spring and early summer.

Hummingbirds can't resist its sweet nectar, nor can bees, butterflies, or hawk moths. I want to provide a home for some butterfly or moth larvae, and the Eastern Columbine has got it covered. It's even a tasty treat for birds like finches and buntings. Eastern Columbine is a self-seeder. Several colonies have formed in every one of my garden planters and have spread to the small garden at the front of my home. Eastern Columbine will stick around for the long haul.

Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) · Sunday 7 May 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

Eastern Columbine is an easy-to-grow plant that thrives in various habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and even along roadsides. I'm not a seasoned gardener, but I can enjoy the lovely flowers in the container garden meadow I planted. The container garden is set up to provide the meadow plants with well-draining soil. The west-facing patio gives the container meadows partial shade from the roof of our home in the morning, but the containers bask in full sun in the afternoon.

Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge

Located in Princeton, the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge is a 350-acre natural area that is an essential habitat for various wildlife species.

During my job search, I understand the importance of taking breaks and getting fresh air to maintain focus and motivation. This morning, I worked on job applications and updated my resume. I searched online for the best places to photograph birds in Princeton. The Birding Hot Spots in Mercer County page on the Princeton Township tourism website offered many suggestions. After some consideration, I settled on the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge. Although I had visited the refuge before on a birding field trip with the Washington Crossing Audubon Society, I never got "around to it". Like the crew racing at Carnegie Lake, I finally decided to have my "round 2 it".

After firing off another job application, I packed my X-T3, XF27mmF2.8 R WR, XF16-55mF2.8 R LM WR, and XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lenses and drove to the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge.

Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge
Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge · Wednesday 3 May 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF27mmF2.8 R WR

Located in Princeton, the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge is a 350-acre natural area that is an essential habitat for various wildlife species. The refuge was established in 1970 and is named after Charles H. Rogers, a local conservationist who was instrumental in preserving the area. The Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge provides wildlife viewing and quiet walks among marshes and riverine forests along Stony Brook.

The refuge features diverse habitats, including wetlands, forests, and meadows, that provide a home for many bird species, such as woodpeckers, owls, warblers and songbirds. The refuge also offers educational programs and events for visitors of all ages, such as guided nature walks, birding workshops, and wildlife photography classes.

According to the Tips for Photographing Birds website, the best time for bird photography is early morning, just after sunrise, or late evening, before sunset. It was already past 1 PM, so I didn't have high expectations.

The air felt cold, and the slight breeze forced me to wear my spring coat. I grabbed my gear and walked to the observation deck just behind the trees near the parking area. Photographing small birds can be rewarding but is a challenging experience for wildlife photographers. I saw a red-winged blackbird but struggled to use the XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR. The lens is heavy, and my out-of-shape arms quickly tired. A tripod or monopod would help me keep my camera steady and avoid blurry shots.

I was ready to give up when I heard a bird call behind me. I turned to see a Grey Catbird "posing" in a nearby tree. The bird sat long enough for me to capture a sharp, in-focus image. This bird has a slate-grey colouration with a black cap and tail. Its bill is black and slightly curved, while its eyes are a bright reddish-brown.

From what I read in the Princeton Institute Woods & Charles Rogers Wildlife Refuge bird database, the GGrey Catbird's vocalisations are unique. It has a wide range of songs and calls, including a cat-like "mew" sound, which is how it got its name. It is also known for mimicking the songs of other bird species and the sounds of insects, frogs, and other animals.

Grey Catbirds can be found in various habitats, including wooded areas, shrublands, and suburban gardens. They feed on various foods, including insects, berries, and fruits. These birds are also known to be attracted to habitats with dense vegetation, where they can build their nests and raise their young.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) · Wednesday 3 May 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

Taking pictures of little birds can be a real test of patience and time. You have to wait for them to come close and keep an eye on them as they move about in their natural surroundings. But even then, they may sit on the spot on a tree branch right behind a left or another branch. It's frustration.

Even though I was willing to stay there for a long time and be on the lookout for any unexpected photo opportunities, it was getting late, and I needed to go pick up Bhavna from work. I plan to come earlier in the morning. Maybe I'll get lucky.