Tag Archives: nature

A Day at the Conservancy

Posted on March 14, 2012 by AnnieRie

Today I finally had a day out and about all by myself, without just riding around being chauffeured by my husband and not being able to do much. I went to the Conservancy to be one of the hike leaders for the Howard Legacy Leadership Institute on the Environment (HoLLIE) class finishing their course work and beginning their internships across the county non-profits.

I graduated from HoLLIE and volunteered at the Conservancy, working on planning programs like the one tomorrow night with Tony Geraci talking about healthy lunches for school aged children. The time I spent working with the committee to bring new and interesting programs to the site has been satisfying to me. I have met so many wonderful people, who along with me give freely of their precious time on educational programs, field trips, and much more. The Gudelsky Center is the location for the artwork, and the nature center is in the basement.

We went to visit Ranger, our rescued barred owl who was out last night visiting a County library, I hear.

The bee hives, where Howard County Beekeepers harvest the honey that they sell and give part of the proceeds to the Conservancy, and I buy to use in my cooking.

Today what made it even more fun was the opening of the art exhibit for the juried art show. The exhibit goes through April 19th, when the silent auction takes place. I already have my eye on an amazing piece made of porcelain. There’s also a whimsical one made with marbles. I will be writing about the art show later, once I take a few pics in better light than noon today.

While out and about on the trails, we searched for and found skunk cabbage opening up, along the east branch near the north end of the property. Always a sure sign of spring. A beautiful day, with temps far above what they should be in March.

Tomorrow is a full day there. I will be there for a history walk with the volunteers at 8:30. There is elementary school training for volunteer naturalists at 9:30, and Tony Geraci’s program at 7 PM.

Sometimes I do wonder how I ever found time to work.

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Posted in Community, Howard County, Locavore, Nature, Retirement, Volunteering, Weather, West HoCo and tagged community, environment, Howard County, howard county conservancy, Locavore, nature, retirement, spring flowers, volunteering, weather, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

The Sounds of Spring

Posted on March 14, 2012 by AnnieRie

We seem to concentrate on what spring looks like and forget to mention its effect on our other senses, like hearing.

This past week the red winged blackbirds returned to my feeders, with their short sharp calls. As I wake in the morning, the songs of all the birds in the trees are much louder and more varied than in the winter as more returning birds take up residence on the property line. You really know the season has changed for good when the hummingbirds return, and when they become so accustomed to you, they feed right next to you and you can hear their wings.

Plus, with the windows open, you hear them waking you up in the morning instead of the alarm. The catbirds and sparrows return in force. Babies are everywhere. They peep incessantly. They then start to venture out into the grass, and you can always find them running around, peeping and if you get too close, you risk a protective mama making noise and chasing them. This one ventured through the parking pad to the tall grass.

With that open window, I also get serenaded by my neighbor’s lone rooster living among their hens. He crows all the time, but closed homes in the winter don’t allow you to hear him.

The cows on the farm over the hill from us are heard as well. They are venturing farther out in the fields closer to us and the sound carries over to our front yard.

The distant highway traffic noise is still audible, but will fade once the trees get their leaves. Only in winter do you really know there is a highway not far from us. The summer cocoon of forest shields that sound for more than half the year. It is louder these days because so many trees were damaged or fell during the blizzards and the hurricane. I noticed it this winter as some of our buffer is gone.

Last night the first real sounds of spring, my next door neighbor fired up the tractor and took it for a spin, knowing that with this mild weather and week of temps in the 70s, we will be cutting grass sooner than ever. Spring has really arrived the first time you hear John Deere and Kubota motors (the tractors of choice in the immediate vicinity).

And the bunnies and squirrels have babies, which means hunting season begins for the foxes. Have you heard bunnies or squirrels? Do you know what kind of sounds they make? We now do, because of living in close proximity to both.

The first time I hear that screaming of a bunny being pursued or caught by a fox means the circle of life continues just outside our door. We have watched that drama unfold beneath our bedroom window, actually observing three rabbits below trying to lure a fox from their hidden nests and scattering in all directions followed by the sight of the fox chasing them into the brush. I never found any evidence of a kill, but I know rabbits will scream when injured or frightened. The three that scattered were not injured and ran, I believe to draw the fox away.

Life in the country. Different. Worth it.

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Posted in Birds, Nature, West HoCo and tagged birds, nature, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

From Little Sprouts …

Posted on March 13, 2012 by AnnieRie

… to a carpet of green in eight weeks.

These are my bedroom window microgreens. I have been slowly thinning them and moving them off to become outdoor plants in the next two weeks, but also having fun adding the little ones to salads.

Our bedroom window gets full south sun in the winter, and is warmest, so the lettuces love it. Can’t beat it. Instant salad.

Now, once I plant the lettuces outside, I need to guard against moochers, siblings and offspring to this fine little friend here. At least they keep the cracks in the extension to the patio weeded.

I usually plant lettuces and chard under bunny proof netting in a spot that gets only morning sun. They seem to do well there.

Window boxes and large flower pots work really well with microgreens. I plant them two or three times a year to keep them growing and rip them out when they bolt.

I also learned only to plant mint in containers or it will take over your yard. Here’s to spring coming in full force. Mint juleps anyone?

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Posted in Food, Gardening, Locavore, Nature and tagged Food, gardening, Locavore, nature. Bookmark the permalink.

Spring Has Sprung

Posted on March 12, 2012 by AnnieRie

The Grass has Riz, I wonder where the boidies iz. Remember that children’s poem? The grass hasn’t risen, but the garlic I planted late in December is making its way up.

The rosemary never died off, and some of the sage is still hanging in there. The mild winter left us with some already producing herbs, and we lost nothing to wind or frost damage. Two years ago the blizzards killed numerous bushes and damaged trees,

This year, the big spring clean up will take place this weekend. Hubby is getting help there, as I am out of commission. I get to supervise this time. This entire week is going to have warm, mostly beautiful weather just right for planting seeds of spring producers. Temps in the 70s. Sunny most days.

I have a few seeds we are going to put in where we took a tree out last year and had the stump ground out. I need to leave something there for the summer that can be replaced with new bushes in the fall, when they have a better chance to get established. Summers here can be brutal to young trees and shrubs.

I picked these up in Kendall’s the other day, and figured we would sow them right in the ground just to keep something growing in the empty space. Minimize any erosion on a corner and provide color as well as dinner. Hopefully garlic chives in front of the chards will all survive the potential critter invasion. Or at least, if they invade there, they will stay out of my good heirloom tomatoes that will go behind the deer fence in the garden.

We were going to put in concord grapes with an arbor in a space where last year we took out bushes. Maybe it will get there but not counting on it with me being unable to assist. One new project at a time.

While out and about the other day, we spotted this display of daffodils. They always make me smile. Mine aren’t up yet but look to be almost ready to bloom.

I may not like that earlier switch over to daylight savings time, because it messes up my internal clock for a few weeks, but I can’t wait for spring to finally get here for good. I want to go out and see this wonder all around us.

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Posted in Gardening, Local Businesses, Nature, Renovations, Weather and tagged gardening, Howard County, local businesses, nature, spring flowers, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

West County Hidden Treasures – Triadelphia

Posted on March 4, 2012 by AnnieRie

Today we took a ride. I needed to relieve cabin fever and it isn’t that far down the road, just to get out and walk around the northern access to the Reservoir. We had the added delight of getting to see an eagle perched on a tree and talk to a fellow visitor who has seen as many as eight eagles flying, perching and fishing at this point.

There is a boat ramp here with access here mainly used by kayakers and canoeists to silently glide along the water’s edge and look for eagles and other birds as well as just enjoy the less visited north end of the reservoir.

Most are more familiar with Brighton Dam.

Put on your calendars a reminder to come out here when the azaleas bloom. It is a tradition to visit the gardens. A Tip — avoid Mother’s Day at all costs unless you love traffic jams. More people come out to Brighton Dam for access to the reservoir but there are other “put in ” points all around the perimeter.

An added attraction just down from Big Branch, and up Green Bridge Road is Greenbridge Pottery.

It is definitely worth a visit. Becky had lovely items at our last holiday crafts fair at the Conservancy. Come on a Saturday and after taking Green Bridge down to the pottery shop, turn right on Triadelphia Mill and follow to the reservoir, then continue up for fresh meat, eggs and veggies at TLV Tree Farm.

I saw on their web site that they are open on Saturdays now from 10-2. I am down to one pound of bacon in the freezer and a pound package of short ribs, so time to go up and see Jamie.

We bought trees from them for years. Cutting our own, until we finally gave up and got a small artificial tree. I still miss that post Thanksgiving trek across their property looking for the perfect tree.

They sell at three Howard County Farmer’s Markets. Their family has farmed here since the late 1800’s.

You can stop at most of these places doing a loop from Triadelphia to Triadelphia Mill to Greenbridge or vice versa. TLV Tree Farm is another of the family owned farms here in the County put into preservation, to continue the traditions of our past. Supporting this young generation of farmers just makes sense. Better food, made close to home.

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Posted in Birds, Day Trips, Farmer's Markets, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, Nature, People, West HoCo and tagged birds, Food, local businesses, Locavore, nature, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

What a Difference A Decade Makes

Posted on March 3, 2012 by AnnieRie

I have been putting together information on west county for HowChow to use to talk about food and shopping out here, but thought I would do a companion series on living out here.

Physically, most of us out here are 10 miles or less using the back roads from getting to Clarksville or Columbia, and 10-15 miles from Ellicott City. The far reaches of the county out past Woodbine and Lisbon are 20 miles away and closer to Mt. Airy and Frederick. Gaithersburg is actually not that far, and when I look for recommendations for certain stores, Gaithersburg often comes up before Columbia.

Ten years ago, I had no idea we would be living out here. We were relatively content in our town house, with a newly renovated kitchen. Traveling whenever we wanted. No debt, no kids, no pets. Aging parents. Coming and going. Eating out three or four times a week. Commuting by bus or van to DC or VA. Hating the commute. Still loving Columbia.

What changed? Us, and Columbia. We wanted horizontal, not vertical space. Our town house was a three story split level. You couldn’t go from one room to another without climbing seven stairs. No yard. No privacy. An increase of crime, not major except for finding a spent gun shell in our bedroom after returning from vacation. Came through the siding, the drywall and left a hole in the wall at head level next to our bed. Seems a bad drug deal turned into violence down the road by the school. High caliber that could travel the distance to the top floor of our house. Scary, and resulted in a feeling that living in the midst of all the amenities of Columbia wasn’t what it used to be.

I do believe though that the biggest driver was just physically getting tired of covenants. Fighting whenever we needed to do maintenance on a 20 year old town house community. Wrangling over the costs of replacing driveways and other asphalt work. People had changed and weren’t willing to pay special assessments to keep the place looking like it did when we moved there. Many were neglecting their properties and hassles abounded when the community tried to enforce the covenants. We were caught in the middle with my husband on the board. Thirty years in Columbia. Time to move on.

We were ready to do something completely different. Buy an older house with land, and no subdivisions or community associations or rules. It meant most of our search went to west county. Acreage for the amateur radio towers. Privacy. Room for the gardens. Still easy to get back to shopping or restaurants with a little extra time. Besides, we were retiring within five years of moving.

Now, when we walk out past our shed in our backyard we see this.

Not all of it is ours, just the front half. My neighbor’s meadow and ours run together. It is natural meadow, that we cut often enough to allow my husband to put out crank up towers when he wants, and take them down. Eventually there will be a concrete base and self supporting tower there, but for now, it is just home to our little friends.

You can see why my garden is fenced.

As for the back yard, the shrubs and trees screen us from the neighbors. Breakfast and coffee on the patio in the morning, even if still in my robe.

With this privacy and loveliness all around us, we have changed. We have friends over for grilled dinners. Crabs. We eat all three meals out here some days in the summer. Having the farmer’s markets and farm stands all around means less time fighting traffic and crowds to shop. It is so simple to throw sausages or flatbread with toppings on the grill, add veggies and a salad, some wine and cheese and we are set to enjoy dining al fresco with a much better view than a restaurant parking lot.

Life is slower out here if you embrace the differences. We have, and think this sums it up quite well.

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Posted in Commentary, Howard County, miscellaneous, Nature, Retirement, West HoCo and tagged Howard County, nature, retirement, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

March to the Conservancy

Posted on March 1, 2012 by AnnieRie

What is happening in March at the Howard County Conservancy?

March means spring is coming, and the Conservancy has lots going on to entice you outdoors, and indoors as well. As a volunteer naturalist, I love to attend walks and talks there to further my knowledge and share it with the school children on their field trips. I can’t go hiking yet after surgery but I will be there to hear Anthony Geraci give his talk on school foods.

On March 10th, come out and take a hike. Bring the family. The volunteer naturalists will be leading family friendly hikes on the Conservancy grounds. Come see some of the cool things the children learn on their field trips around the farm, woods, and grasslands. The walks are fun and informative. Bring binoculars to look for bugs, birds and critters in the creek. The little ones with their families will have a special shorter hike that takes them to see the goats, chickens, and Ranger the owl.

Other family groups will be lead by naturalists on the longer trails maybe doing a creek crossing on a log, or looking to find signs of the birds returning to nest in the bluebird boxes. Look for blossoms on the trees, and for the first signs of spring flowers. Large wheeled strollers can also make it through the hikes. Wonder walks begin at 10 am, and they are free.

Anthony Geraci speaking on March 15th

Geraci – Healthy Meals at Schools

Anthony Geraci aka Cafeteria Man is coming to speak about healthy foods in our schools on the 15th at 7 pm. This will be an interesting evening as he is always entertaining and enlightening. Don’t miss it.

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Posted in Community, Family, Howard County, Nature, People, Volunteering and tagged community, Food, howard county conservancy, nature. Bookmark the permalink.

Starting Seeds and Dreaming of Summer

Posted on February 23, 2012 by AnnieRie

I went through my seed packets today to prioritize what will go where in the garden this year. Last year was the second year I started heirloom tomatoes from seed. They did OK, but the rain made them not ribbon worthy at the Fair. My herbs did better getting me a ribbon. This year I want to do some heirloom herbs as well as the tomatoes. The Howard County Fair heirloom tomato category has grown like crazy. the first year I entered there were six entries. The second year, there were ten. This past year there were 29 entries. Competition is fierce, and you need more exotic heirlooms to get a ribbon. I have one ribbon for tomatoes from a previous year.

My herbs last year were stevia, lemon basil and sage.

Putting out the garden is always interesting. The deer fence seems to do well except that little bunnies can squeeze through it. The black material to cut down on weeds worked well in the tomato sections, but I can’t use it where I put in rows of lettuces or chard. The tomatoes really did better because that material kept the soil warmer.

I had the heirloom tomatoes in with some cucumbers and they did well there. This year I will be planting peppers and chard in that section, and a few zucchini. Rotating the plants in each of the three fenced sections and adding compost every year has kept our soil in pretty decent shape. We had it tested last year and it came back with no requirements to add anything. We are lucky that our yard was once a horse pasture, all that manure must have really broken down that clay that seems to prevail every where else we lived around here.

I do herbs all over the place including in pots on the patio. The mint as usual was out of control.

The tomatoes did come in well. This is a big rainbow, the largest heirloom I grew. It would not have won a ribbon at the fair though because that wasn’t large enough for the largest tomato competition.

This year I am starting microgreens from seed that I am now getting ready to transplant into a small “cold frame”, really just a container with a cover. They will be moved outside soon. The heirloom garlic chives and swiss chard seeds will go out sometime next month.

The greens are looking good, getting crowded and I started moving them to bigger pots last week. Growing veggies and herbs is one of those simple pleasures that make me glad to live here.

I just hope our little furry friends stay out of my gardens.

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Posted in Food, Gardening, Hobbies, Howard County, Nature, Weather and tagged Food, gardening, nature, tomatoes. Bookmark the permalink.

What’s a Volunteer Naturalist?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by AnnieRie

And, why do I love to be one? The Howard County Conservancy put out their call for volunteers to receive training to lead elementary and middle/secondary field trip hikes on the conservancy property.

The training is in March. Four days, three hours each. Thursdays or Tuesdays, depending on which programs you are interesting in leading. There are about 40-50 registered volunteers currently, but the Conservancy keeps expanding their offerings and any interested people are welcome to come and be trained.

Two years ago, 3000 students participated in the field trips. Last year it was 5000 visits. Some schools come fall and spring, while others pick one program yearly.

The grounds are lovely and spending a few hours at least three times a semester is an easy commitment. Some of us volunteer at least once a week. I have been known to sign up for as many kindergarten and first grade trips as possible. New volunteers also shadow us until they feel ready to lead on their own.

I love the program and the spring is my favorite. The kindergartners come in the spring to do “I Spy Nature”. We take them around to see the animals and to smell and touch the herbs and flowers, and they have a great introduction to nature. Including the resident owl, Ranger.

What are you waiting for? Come out and enjoy the sights and sounds on the farm and watch children become enthralled with bugs and chickens and goats and birds. It is truly a wonderful opportunity to give time and get so much in return. Call 410-465-8877 if you want to know more.

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Posted in Community, Howard County, Nature, Volunteering and tagged birds, howard county conservancy, nature, volunteering. Bookmark the permalink.

Rushing Spring, and Counting Birds

Posted on February 18, 2012 by AnnieRie

I changed my background and header in anticipation of the hopefully soon arrival of spring. At the moment, the daffodils and tulips are pushing their way through the mulch and it won’t be too many weeks before they bloom.

There are tiny little signs of growth on the weeping cherry. I hope we don’t get a hard frost that will take away the beauty of my favorite season. The reason we don’t move south. I love spring and fall in Maryland.

Right now, though, it is the Great Backyard Bird Count weekend. I am checking out my feeders and seeing if anything new shows up. I did get the massive cedar waxwing visit last week, but so far today they have not shown up at the wild crab apple trees.