A Touch Of Nature
Donna L. Watkins, Editor
July 15, 2004 Issue

***************************************
Search Previous Issues or Join This Mailing

*****************************
What's Happening at Bluebird Cove
*****************************
Hi Subscribers!

Welcome to all the new folks! Let me know what you think of this newsletter - the good and the bad.

Nature is beautiful, but there's always the good with the bad. If you've ever watched National Geographic you know what I mean. I can't handle that show. I don't like to think of the reality of life and death in the natural world, but it happens.

I saw my first Yellow-billed Cuckoo earlier this month. It hit our kitchen window at full speed and fell to the ground. I ran out with a towel when I saw it was still moving. We've only ever lost one other bird to a window crash and that was at our previous home in Alabama. It was a beautiful Wood Thrush. First one of those I'd seen also.

Alas, the Cuckoo did not make it. It only lived another few minutes after I laid it in the protected shade on our deck. It was such a magnificent bird. I had to get my bird books out to ID it.

You can see a photo and even hear the bird at this site

We take precautions against having birds hit our wiindows, but sometimes they are not paying attention to what is ahead of them I guess. Below in the bird section you'll find a good article on precautions you can take to prevent this from happening.

We've had so much rain in Virginia that many of our plants are not wanting to bloom well, and others are just about drowned in the groundwater levels. Some areas of the country need rain so badly. I wish there was some way to share!

Two New Segments! - One is the "Nature Around the World" which will give you a location of special beauty in the natural world. The other is" Featured Nature Center and/or Preserve" which is self-explanatory. Send in your favorites for these two segments and I'll get them in the newsletter as time goes on! I'll be very excited to see your submissions!

I'd also like to know what you think about the two new sections. Give me your comments!
Donna

*************
Critter Facts
*************

Hummingbird Moths

If you're outside at dusk or dark and see a "hummingbird" feeding on your petunias [or bee balm or whatever] like we did recently, you will be excited to learn as I did years ago that these are hummingbird moths. They're absolutely amazing to watch!

Although I had found out what the name of these creatures were when I discovered them, I only recently discovered that the catepillar stage for these guys is the hornworm. The hornworms most known are the two that cause some damage: tomato and tobacco hornworms

Fortunately, we have never been into killing the hornworms on our plants. We would pull them off and toss them far away or place them in a place that a bluejay or another bird might find them for lunch.

The Hemaris thysbe looks like a tiny inch-long hummingbird due to its coloring, but it's behavior is similar as well, in that while feeding it hovers, its wings a blur, and flits from flower to flower. Since it pauses only for a couple of seconds at each flower it helps to have a fast autofocus and a bit of luck to photograph one.

It belongs to the family of sphinx moths, many of which share this behavior. Some people refer to any sphinx moth as a hummingbird moth because of their behavior, while some reserve that name for this particular species that's also colored something like a hummingbird.

See a photo of the Hemaris thysbe

View another type of hummingbird moth

*******************
Those Amazing Birds!
*******************

Birds Hitting Your Wiindows?

When a wild bird flies into a window, the effect on the bird can range from quite minimal, perhaps a fright or the loss of a feather or two, to instant or prolonged death. Each year, across the city and across the country, thousands of birds are badly hurt or killed upon striking against windows. Some windows are more likely to kill birds than others. There are precautions that can be taken.

Visit this site to find out what to do

*********************
Nature's Bounty For Us
*********************

Deodorize While You Kill Bacteria and Viruses with Plant Essential Oils

Essential oils will make your home smell wonderful without the dangerous air freshner chemicals that have been in the news. The big bonus is that you also get the anti-microbial properties of essential plant oils so you can kill germs throughout your home without bleach and toxic cleaning products. The AromaBall is a handy plug-in appliance with a ceramic plate that holds a small pad on which you add essential oils. Easy-to-use as a night light.

Get more info and/or purchase

***************************************
Gardening For Wildlife - Restoring the Balance
***************************************

Invasive Plant List Wallet Card

Invasive plants are more than just a nuisance â•„ they crowd out native plants and animals. Now you can find out if a particular plant is right for your part of the country with our Invasive Plant List Wallet Card. This handy item is perfect for that trip to the nursery. It shows the plants to avoid before you buy.

Plant List Wallet Card - Caring for Your Plantings While Conserving Water

The use of water has become more and more of an issue for many communities. All across the country we see rationing and restrictions. Water takes valuable resources to process and make potable.

Get some tips on saving water in your garden and lawn work.

***********************
Nature Around the World
***********************

Pribilof Islands, Alaska

The natural history of the Pribilof Islands is a fascinating tale. These tiny islands in the Bering Sea are home to an unimaginable profusion of life, a massive congregation of seals and birds that is awe-inspiring to witness. Unfortunately, this natural wealth has drawn mankind north for centuries and may prove to be the Pribilofs undoing.

Learn more about the Pribilofs at The Nature Conservancy's website

*******************************
" Green" Info - Making It a Way of Life!
*******************************

Energy Facts

* One compact fluorescent light bulb will save you $50 in utility bills over its lifetime, replace one barrel of crude oil, and last 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.

* A solar water heater in the Pacific Northwest will save an average of 2863 kilowatt hours per year (varies by geographic region).--

Sunshine Concentrate - Detoxify Your Cleaning!

This environmentally-friendly cleaning and washing concentrate is nothing less than wonderful!! We've used this for 15 years and love it for laundry, hand soap, pet baths, soaking produce, dishwasher, cleaning, and a multitude of other uses. This product has saved us hundreds of dollars over the years. Makes life much simpler and takes away the "itch" of chemical soaps.

Sunshine Concentrate for Non-Toxic Cleaning

***********************
Musings Of Nature
***********************

" A commitment to extinction is not irreversible and not inevitable, because the time lag between a species at risk and a species disappearing is a window for conservation action to intervene."  -- William Stolzenburg

The Nature Conservancy is working around the globe to save the Last Great Places - and you can help. Visit nature.org to learn how you can get involved at the local level: Volunteer, learn about local preserves, attend a field trip or event, or support your local chapter.

Visit their site to learn more

*********************************
Featured Nature Center and/or Preserve
*********************************

The Kalamazoo Nature Center

Recognized as one of the nation's best nature centers, since 1960, it has been inspiring people to care about the environment by providing experiences that lead them to understand their connection to the natural world. The Nature Center reaches nearly 250,000 people each year through extensive programs in education, research, and conservation.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center is headquartered in an Interpretive Center designed by eminent 20th Century architect Alden B. Dow featuring state-of-the-art interactive exhibits. It is located on 1,100 acres of rolling hills in Southwest Michigan with a variety of habitats, including mature beech-maple forests, wetlands, and prairies.

Visit their site

*****************************************************
Long Distance, Internet Access & Cellular Phone Comparisons
*****************************************************
3.9 Cent Long Distance With No Access Numbers to Dial
14.95 Internet Access
Shop The Best Rates for Cellular - Free Phones
Agent Opportunities Available

*****************************************************
If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward it on
to somebody you know. It's how we grow! Thanks!

***********
Disclaimer
The content, suggestions, and web links in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and not necessarily endorsed by our sponsor "The Herbs Place.com" This is a personal publication by Donna Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna Watkins or" The Herbs Place.com" be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.