A Touch of Nature - 2/1/07
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Here At Bluebird Cove
It's still chilly here in central Virginia but now that it's February I can think about Spring bulbs. We have been blessed to earn a conference with airfare in Southern California so we'll be getting into warmer weather and I am so looking forward to it later this month.
We'll have 10 delightful days and the most exciting thing for me will be the flowers. I have missed them so much with the cold weather here. We've got a preserve or garden on the schedule each day after the 3-day conference.
Flying in winter puts you in a holding tank with a bunch of organisms that challenge the best of immune systems. We always travel with Peppermint Oil which has properties to kill invaders before they enter your nose and mouth. We rub a drop under the nose and then take a drop in our mouths also. It's so refreshing also with the stale smell of the airplane. I always eat more away from home than I do at home, so it's a good digestive aid. Essential oils are marvelous blessings from God from the plant kingdom. They possess a powerhouse of anti-microbial benefits in a small pocketsize bottle.
I've been enjoying the bird bath we put on the porch outside our dining room window. We've been using it as a feeder since we have a heated birdbath on the rail. With the feeder only being a foot from the window, I get a show any time I take my laptop to work in the dining room.
This photo is a squirrel that visited it before I had put food in. Notice the hairdo on the tail? I've never seen anything like that before. It's like he has a ponytail sticking out from his tail. With a close-up shot of it there was an actual growth like a thin twig holding up that chunk of fur. Nature offers some interesting diversions every day.
Enjoy the wonders around you!
Donna
Great Backyard Bird Count - Feb. 16-19
The 10th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up February 16-19. Help create a mid-winter snapshot of where the birds are by counting birds at any location for at least 15 minutes on one or more of the count days.
Last year, participants recorded more than 7.5 million birds of 622 species across the United States and Canada.
It's a fun family thing to do and you really do make a difference for the birds - "your" birds do count and you make a difference for them when you submit their visits to your site.
Get more info at BirdSource.org.
Get Your Bird Houses Ready for Nesting
Source: www.birds.cornell.edu
It's time to get new birdhouses placed before the breeding season begins. In the south, that's by February and in northern areas, it's March. If you want to build your birdhouses as an indoor project during the winter, here's a site with lots of plans.
Because different species of birds prefer different kinds of nesting habitat, the habitat surrounding your box will play a role in determining which species will nest in it. Get detailed information on types of boxes needed and habitat to place them in for specific birds at this site: www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/bios/nest_require/habitat
A word of caution:
Don't attract birds to an area that will poison them. Avoid areas where pesticides and herbicides are used. They are harmful to birds and decrease necessary insect populations that the birds rely on as their primary source of food. Golf courses, cultivated fields, gardens, and yards are potentially good habitats if there are no chemicals used.
If you are looking to attract a variety of species to your nest boxes and have ample room, you might consider pairing your boxes. This involves placing boxes in pairs on poles 15 to 25 feet apart; or you can put two boxes, back to back, on a single pole. Birds such as Tree Swallows and bluebirds will nest closely to one another. Pairing boxes has the advantage of allowing more birds of both species to coexist peacefully within the same habitat.
In a pinch, small nest boxes can be mounted on fence posts or trees. If you wish to attach a box to a living tree, do not use nails. Rather, slip a strand of galvanized wire through the vent holes and attach a bungee cord to both ends. Stretch the bungee cord around the tree, preferably over a limb. Remember however, that hanging boxes from trees provides an easy route for predators to reach the box.
Whichever method you choose to erect your boxes, be sure your box is secure enough to withstand high winds and severe weather. The best way to erect small nest boxes is on free-standing metal poles or PVC pipes. These pipes or poles offer several advantages:
* Nest boxes can be mounted higher than when mounted on a fence post.
* Many predators find poles difficult to climb.
* Poles can also be easily equipped with a predator guard.
View construction plans for predator guards here:
www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/resources/construct
Good News Nature Stories
Baby Hippopotamus Swept Into Ocean Takes Tortoise As a Mother
Owen, a 661 pound, one-year-old hippo, was swept down the Sabaki River, into the ocean and then back to shore when the giant waves struck the Kenyan coast. The dehydrated hippo was found by wildlife rangers and taken to the Haller Park animal facility in the port city of Mombasa. Pining for his lost mother, Owen quickly befriended a giant male Aldabran tortoise named Mzee - Swahili for "old man".
After it was swept and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. When Owen was released into an enclosure, he lumbered towards a tortoise which has a dark grey colour similar to grown up hippos, and established a strong bond. The pair are inseparable. They swim, eat and sleep together. The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it follows its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother.
Hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years. The hippo's chances of survival in another herd would be very slim, since a dominant male would have killed him. Officials are hopeful Owen will befriend a female hippo called Cleo, also a resident at Haller Park. See photos of the pair on this site: www.digyourowngrave.com/tortoise-adopts-baby-hippo/
Be sure to click on the link at the bottom for photos a year later. Owen has grown quite a bit since the rescue.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Adds Biodiesel Cars to Fleet
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has been adding biodiesel vehicles to its fleet of cars in many cities, testing customer demand for environmentally friendly rentals. The Jeep Liberties in Portland come filled with bio-fuel and can be refilled at 4 local stations or with regular diesel.
Forests Are Making a Comeback Worldwide
A new study says the world's forests appear to be making a comeback, with countries like China and the US more thickly wooded than they were over 100 years ago. In the last 15 years larger trees have grown in number in 22 of the 50 most forested countries.
A new study shows a 15-year increase in forests, which give off oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, which scientists believe causes global climate change. The study was written by six experts in forestry, environmental technology, ecology, geography, resource economics and agronomy in China, Finland, Scotland and the US.
Read more about it here:
www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=17&art_id=31802&sid=10869853&con_type=1
Musings
"All God's critters got a place in the choir. Some sing low,
some sing higher. Some sing out loud on a telephone wire.
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got."
--Bill Staines
Chinese Herbs
For those interested in plant medicines used for thousands of years, the study of Chinese herbs is a fascinating one.
Balance – That’s the object of Chinese health care. Yet, in our modern stress-filled world, balance is the exception. Health can be forced out of balance if a person is weakened or under stress from emotional, physical, environmental or other conditions. Learn more about and purchase Chinese herbs at this site of a friend of ours.
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
Nature's Sunshine 100% Pure Essential Oils
Detoxify Your Soaps and Cleaning Supplies With Sunshine Concentrate!
This environmentally-friendly cleaning and washing concentrate is nothing less than wonderful. We've used it for 15 years for laundry, hand soap, pet baths, soaking produce, dishwasher, cleaning, and a multitude of other uses. This product has saved us money and health. No more "itch" of chemical soaps. Read more about Sunshine Concentrate.
Outdoor Critters Inside
Safe and Humane Methods of Getting Rid of Mice
There are many good reasons for not using the typical chemicals and methods used to get rid of mice, but here are my favorites:
• Avoid exposing kids and pets to chemicals. In the US, as many as 50,000 kids under age 6 are poisoned by rodenticide each year.
• Catch-and-release traps and high-frequency sound repellers are more humane.
• Glue traps and typical pest poisons like anti-coagulants, bromethalin and zinc phosphide have effects we wouldn't wish on our worst enemies.
This little guy in the photo was in our garage. He had fallen into a bucket he couldn't get out of and fortunately we found him before he perished. We've had many mice wanting to set up housekeeping in our garage since we have woods behind our house. We use a humane trap with a cracker inside spread with peanut butter. Seems the be a favorite of the mice around here. They can only get in if we leave the door open too long, so we carry them far back into the woods and release them. I don't want to take them too far away from their home territory so they don't have to fight for eating rights. They're cute, but they're not good to have within living quarters.
We have some input on The Frugal Life site with options submitted by forum members. Here's an article with many safe options to consider: idealbite.com/tiplibrary/tip.php?tip=20061019
Pets Are Part of Our Nature at Home and We Love Animals
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.
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.
Wildlife Sanctuary Owners Trapped in Snowstorm - Dog Saves Their Lives
Eve Fertig, 81, and her husband, Norman, were taking care of injured birds in a wildlife sanctuary on their Alden property when it hit. The storm intensified and the couple became trapped by falling trees and heavy snow. Their dog dug a 20-foot tunnel and saved their lives. Read the story here: www.wnbc.com/news/10467999/detail.html
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.
Forward This Newsletter to a Friend
If you enjoy this newsletter, please let others know about it.
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.
Legal 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 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.
Here At Bluebird Cove
It's still chilly here in central Virginia but now that it's February I can think about Spring bulbs. We have been blessed to earn a conference with airfare in Southern California so we'll be getting into warmer weather and I am so looking forward to it later this month.We'll have 10 delightful days and the most exciting thing for me will be the flowers. I have missed them so much with the cold weather here. We've got a preserve or garden on the schedule each day after the 3-day conference.
Flying in winter puts you in a holding tank with a bunch of organisms that challenge the best of immune systems. We always travel with Peppermint Oil which has properties to kill invaders before they enter your nose and mouth. We rub a drop under the nose and then take a drop in our mouths also. It's so refreshing also with the stale smell of the airplane. I always eat more away from home than I do at home, so it's a good digestive aid. Essential oils are marvelous blessings from God from the plant kingdom. They possess a powerhouse of anti-microbial benefits in a small pocketsize bottle.
I've been enjoying the bird bath we put on the porch outside our dining room window. We've been using it as a feeder since we have a heated birdbath on the rail. With the feeder only being a foot from the window, I get a show any time I take my laptop to work in the dining room.
This photo is a squirrel that visited it before I had put food in. Notice the hairdo on the tail? I've never seen anything like that before. It's like he has a ponytail sticking out from his tail. With a close-up shot of it there was an actual growth like a thin twig holding up that chunk of fur. Nature offers some interesting diversions every day.
Enjoy the wonders around you!
Donna
Great Backyard Bird Count - Feb. 16-19
The 10th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up February 16-19. Help create a mid-winter snapshot of where the birds are by counting birds at any location for at least 15 minutes on one or more of the count days.
Last year, participants recorded more than 7.5 million birds of 622 species across the United States and Canada.
It's a fun family thing to do and you really do make a difference for the birds - "your" birds do count and you make a difference for them when you submit their visits to your site.
Get more info at BirdSource.org.
Get Your Bird Houses Ready for Nesting
Source: www.birds.cornell.edu
It's time to get new birdhouses placed before the breeding season begins. In the south, that's by February and in northern areas, it's March. If you want to build your birdhouses as an indoor project during the winter, here's a site with lots of plans.Because different species of birds prefer different kinds of nesting habitat, the habitat surrounding your box will play a role in determining which species will nest in it. Get detailed information on types of boxes needed and habitat to place them in for specific birds at this site: www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/bios/nest_require/habitat
A word of caution:
Don't attract birds to an area that will poison them. Avoid areas where pesticides and herbicides are used. They are harmful to birds and decrease necessary insect populations that the birds rely on as their primary source of food. Golf courses, cultivated fields, gardens, and yards are potentially good habitats if there are no chemicals used.
If you are looking to attract a variety of species to your nest boxes and have ample room, you might consider pairing your boxes. This involves placing boxes in pairs on poles 15 to 25 feet apart; or you can put two boxes, back to back, on a single pole. Birds such as Tree Swallows and bluebirds will nest closely to one another. Pairing boxes has the advantage of allowing more birds of both species to coexist peacefully within the same habitat.
In a pinch, small nest boxes can be mounted on fence posts or trees. If you wish to attach a box to a living tree, do not use nails. Rather, slip a strand of galvanized wire through the vent holes and attach a bungee cord to both ends. Stretch the bungee cord around the tree, preferably over a limb. Remember however, that hanging boxes from trees provides an easy route for predators to reach the box.
Whichever method you choose to erect your boxes, be sure your box is secure enough to withstand high winds and severe weather. The best way to erect small nest boxes is on free-standing metal poles or PVC pipes. These pipes or poles offer several advantages:
* Nest boxes can be mounted higher than when mounted on a fence post.
* Many predators find poles difficult to climb.
* Poles can also be easily equipped with a predator guard.
View construction plans for predator guards here:
www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/resources/construct
Good News Nature Stories
Baby Hippopotamus Swept Into Ocean Takes Tortoise As a Mother
Owen, a 661 pound, one-year-old hippo, was swept down the Sabaki River, into the ocean and then back to shore when the giant waves struck the Kenyan coast. The dehydrated hippo was found by wildlife rangers and taken to the Haller Park animal facility in the port city of Mombasa. Pining for his lost mother, Owen quickly befriended a giant male Aldabran tortoise named Mzee - Swahili for "old man".
After it was swept and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. When Owen was released into an enclosure, he lumbered towards a tortoise which has a dark grey colour similar to grown up hippos, and established a strong bond. The pair are inseparable. They swim, eat and sleep together. The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it follows its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother.
Hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years. The hippo's chances of survival in another herd would be very slim, since a dominant male would have killed him. Officials are hopeful Owen will befriend a female hippo called Cleo, also a resident at Haller Park. See photos of the pair on this site: www.digyourowngrave.com/tortoise-adopts-baby-hippo/
Be sure to click on the link at the bottom for photos a year later. Owen has grown quite a bit since the rescue.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Adds Biodiesel Cars to Fleet
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has been adding biodiesel vehicles to its fleet of cars in many cities, testing customer demand for environmentally friendly rentals. The Jeep Liberties in Portland come filled with bio-fuel and can be refilled at 4 local stations or with regular diesel.
Forests Are Making a Comeback Worldwide
A new study says the world's forests appear to be making a comeback, with countries like China and the US more thickly wooded than they were over 100 years ago. In the last 15 years larger trees have grown in number in 22 of the 50 most forested countries.
A new study shows a 15-year increase in forests, which give off oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, which scientists believe causes global climate change. The study was written by six experts in forestry, environmental technology, ecology, geography, resource economics and agronomy in China, Finland, Scotland and the US.
Read more about it here:
www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=17&art_id=31802&sid=10869853&con_type=1
Musings
"All God's critters got a place in the choir. Some sing low,
some sing higher. Some sing out loud on a telephone wire.
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got."
--Bill Staines
Chinese Herbs
For those interested in plant medicines used for thousands of years, the study of Chinese herbs is a fascinating one.
Balance – That’s the object of Chinese health care. Yet, in our modern stress-filled world, balance is the exception. Health can be forced out of balance if a person is weakened or under stress from emotional, physical, environmental or other conditions. Learn more about and purchase Chinese herbs at this site of a friend of ours.
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
Nature's Sunshine 100% Pure Essential Oils
Detoxify Your Soaps and Cleaning Supplies With Sunshine Concentrate!
This environmentally-friendly cleaning and washing concentrate is nothing less than wonderful. We've used it for 15 years for laundry, hand soap, pet baths, soaking produce, dishwasher, cleaning, and a multitude of other uses. This product has saved us money and health. No more "itch" of chemical soaps. Read more about Sunshine Concentrate.
Outdoor Critters Inside
Safe and Humane Methods of Getting Rid of MiceThere are many good reasons for not using the typical chemicals and methods used to get rid of mice, but here are my favorites:
• Avoid exposing kids and pets to chemicals. In the US, as many as 50,000 kids under age 6 are poisoned by rodenticide each year.
• Catch-and-release traps and high-frequency sound repellers are more humane.
• Glue traps and typical pest poisons like anti-coagulants, bromethalin and zinc phosphide have effects we wouldn't wish on our worst enemies.
This little guy in the photo was in our garage. He had fallen into a bucket he couldn't get out of and fortunately we found him before he perished. We've had many mice wanting to set up housekeeping in our garage since we have woods behind our house. We use a humane trap with a cracker inside spread with peanut butter. Seems the be a favorite of the mice around here. They can only get in if we leave the door open too long, so we carry them far back into the woods and release them. I don't want to take them too far away from their home territory so they don't have to fight for eating rights. They're cute, but they're not good to have within living quarters.
We have some input on The Frugal Life site with options submitted by forum members. Here's an article with many safe options to consider: idealbite.com/tiplibrary/tip.php?tip=20061019
Pets Are Part of Our Nature at Home and We Love Animals
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. 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.
Wildlife Sanctuary Owners Trapped in Snowstorm - Dog Saves Their Lives
Eve Fertig, 81, and her husband, Norman, were taking care of injured birds in a wildlife sanctuary on their Alden property when it hit. The storm intensified and the couple became trapped by falling trees and heavy snow. Their dog dug a 20-foot tunnel and saved their lives. Read the story here: www.wnbc.com/news/10467999/detail.html
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.
Forward This Newsletter to a Friend
If you enjoy this newsletter, please let others know about it.
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.
Legal 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 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.
posted by Donna at 6:19 PM
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