A Touch of Nature - May 2007

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Here At Bluebird Cove

We had hundreds of praying mantis babies come out of the egg case I'd placed between the screen and window. How exciting it was to watch them scurry away to find their first meal. What's incredible is that they have all the features of a regular mantis but are so tiny (only 3/8' long). Seeing that head move and those legs pose ready for attack was so funny in such a tiny creature. View close-up of baby praying mantis.

I've been looking for the American Toads. Last year we had them singing for a month and I was able to take some photos of them calling and mating, along with photos of the eggs that the female laid and then the tadpoles that came from them. How rewarding it is to provide a habitat that gives life to little critters. View my American Toad article with photos.

Okay, creative subscribers. On rainy days and in the winter I love to go through the gallery of photos to read your comments. Here's a photo of a baby wren that just fledged and is hanging on to the side of our planter. I know you have some cute titles. Go for it! And take some time to giggle a bit yourself at the ones already there.

Enjoy Springtime walks ... it will soon be hot!
Donna

Did You Know?

Mice sing, but, like bats, at a pitch higher than can be detected by human hearing.

Every night, wasps bite into the stem of a plant, lock their mandibles (jaws) into position, stretch out at right angles to the stem, and, with legs dangling, fall asleep.

Ants stretch when they wake up. They also appear to yawn in a very human manner before taking up the tasks of the day.

Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.

A giraffe can go without water longer than a camel.

Nature News

Animal Funerals

Some biologists have described behavior reactions as "funeral behaviors" although their function is unexplained since their discovery in 1972.

When a Yellow-billed Magpie dies, other magpies may descend on the carcass, hopping and making loud squawking noises for prolonged periods. Could they be expressing grief? Because rarely observed, research has not progressed on this subject.

African elephants take a strong interest in corpses, bawling around them, touching them with their trunks, burying them with tree branches, picking up bones and tusks, and even passing bones to other elephants, or taking them with them when they leave the area.

Chimpanzes are also known to respond to death much like humans by crying out for prolonged periods.

One thing evident is that these "funerals" seem to occur in species that live in groups.

Have Any Yellow Jackets, Wasps or Hornets? This Couple Will Take Them Away!

Yellow jackets are fascinating creatures and Norman Patterson is one of the few people who truly enjoy and benefit from these critters. While everyone else is running from them, they have a seasonable business in which they seek them out. They remove yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps free of charge for homeowners. The homeowner is thrilled for this free service. And besides money what does the couple get out of this? Read the entire story here: www.lewrockwell.com/patterson-n/patterson-norman12.html

Natural Herbs, Supplements and Essential Oils

Natural herbs and supplements bring the powerful world of nature into your body for health and healing. We've been using herbal remedies since the late 70's and have been so blessed by them.

It's been our full-time business since 1982. We'd appreciate you shopping with us.

Herbs and Supplements by Health Topic

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Gardening For Wildlife

Japanese Beetles

I like what the Hilton Pond site says about Japanese Beetles. What we like is their metallic color and what is we don't like is everything else. It's soon time for them to arrive here in Central Virginia and the rest of the East Coast. These persistent leaf-feeders were brought accidentally to New Jersey from the Orient in 1916 and they've not had any predator to keep them in control.

They are a gardening menace. I believe all things work for some good in the natural realm and I do know the grackles like them. We've got more grackles this year so maybe they'll work for their keep ... however, they sure do seem to prefer the feeders.

While I've been transplanting a lot of things in the garden, I come across the grubs that create these beetles. Not one to want to kill anything, I place them in the bird feeder so the grub-eating birds can find a treat amongst their usual fare.

Read a detailed story about these pesty bugs at the Hilton Pond site:
www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek010729.html

Five Simple Home Remedies - Yard & Garden Pest Control

So often the home garden pest control remedies work as well or better than the chemical counterparts, and with the added bonus that with these formulas made of kitchen cupboard ingredients, you don’t need to worry about poisoning yourself, your pets, or your garden!

Here's some simple recipes from Care2.com:
www.care2.com/channels/solutions/outdoors/2871

Pets Are Part of Our Nature at Home and We Love Animals

Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies - Read how pet owners have used herbs.

Nature's Heartworm Program - Yes, there are successful herbal programs.

Healthy Pet News - Complimentary professional email newsletter with great articles.

Healthy Pet Corner - Resource site for cats, dogs, birds, horses, rabbits and reptiles.

Free Samples of Pet Food, Supplements and Treats - These formulas are developed by Dr. Jane Bicks, a highly respected and nationally recognized holistic veterinarian and author.

For The Birds

How Do Birds Learn to Sing?

In contrast to most animals, songbirds, like humans, learn the vocalizations they make. Studying how they do it may shed light on how people learn to speak. Like a French child raised by English-speaking parents, a young songbird raised by a different species of adult, or with recordings of a different species, will end up learning the “wrong” song, and will produce only an odd, improvised tune if it is raised in isolation.

A vocal non-learner such as a phoebe or a dove, on the other hand, will sing its species’ correct song even if it’s brought up by another kind of bird, or by none at all.

Read the entire article at the NWF website:
www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=114&articleID=1452

Tea Pots For Bird Nesting

I read an article somewhere awhile back that mentioned a lady who gathered old tea kettles from yard sales and friends to hang around her yard for birds to nest in. Apparently the shape is well favored and they were well used.

I bet any Carolina Wrens she may have will enjoy them since we've had them nest in just about anything. This seems quite an appropriate abode since their loud call is described as sounding like it is saying "tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle." Males call all year round and we enjoy having a wren on our deck post belting an operetta into the air waves. The volume is incredible and one of my neighbors, although not interested in birdwatching, knows what bird it is when a Carolina Wren calls.

The Frugal Life - Living Well With What You Already Have

Living more simply is a great way to effect change in your own personal environment and it helps the planet. The Frugal Life website has lots of ideas on getting back to basics. They also provide a free newsletter monthly and a forum where you can ask questions or search for information. Visit The Frugal Life site.

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Copyright and Reprint Information
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins

All photographs are the property of the editor, Donna L. Watkins. This newsletter may be forwarded in its entirety by email but may not be placed on any website without written permission.

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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 L. 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 L. 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.