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The Nature In Us

Touch of Nature - August 2007

"In the wilderness we return to reason and faith." -- Emerson

Here At Bluebird Cove

Our naughty squirrels are a challenge. They are so entertaining and yet so challenging. They've recently chewed holes in the lid of our trash toter. What could they possible want in the garbage can that usually smells of cat litter?

This year to make it easier to clean out our 5 bird baths, I placed small brushes under a bush nearby each birdbath. In the past two weeks they sent out a search and return mission team and hauled them all off. Did somebody announce a squirrel scavenger hunt?

Did they take them to the head squirrel for some kind of reward or are they buried in the yard somewhere for a nice juicy plastic and bristle sandwich this winter? Earlier this year, I caught one on the front porch trying to haul away a ceramic snail that was as big as the squirrel's head.

My biggest disappointment was on the deck planters that had reservoirs below to hold water so they wouldn't need to be watered daily. Our heritage petunias thrived in them. This year, they are not as well watered.

The squirrels chewed those openings down so that the water comes right out as you water. These planters are used by our Eastern Gray Tree Frogs who delighted in using the corners for their balcony to sing to the females.

Inside it was wet and cool ... until the squirrels converted them to hot and dry. The frogs have returned and chosen the planter that still has a bit of a "balcony" on it. They were still crooning to the females during their mating season which has now ended, even though they had a more primitive camp-out than previous years.

Living with the squirrels is a challenge at times, but then living with anybody can be challenging, and it doesn't mean you're willing to kick them out of your domain. It just gives us a chance to learn and grow and adapt. Life will never be perfect. We love our squirrels and they are quite delightful and entertaining. Did you see the squirrel with a hairdo that we had earlier this year? I've never seen anything like it. A ponytail on a squirrel tail. Click the double arrows to the right above the photo to see a closeup of it.

Bluebird Cove Blog

New posts since the last issue of A Touch of Nature:

Living With Beneficial Paper Wasps

A Non-toxic Approach to Yellow Jackets

Nature News

The Monarchs Are Here

Depending where you are in the country, you may soon be seeing Monarchs on their migration to Mexico. The Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to Mexico, while those west of the Rocky Mountains migrate to a grove of trees along the California coast.

We're in Central Virginia and have begun seeing them. We also have Monarch caterpillars (see photo to left) on our milkweed. I am very excited about that. I've counted 7 of them so far and one is big enough to soon be spinning the chrysalis.

The birds won't eat Monarch caterpillars since they become toxic from a property in the milkweed plant that the eggs are laid on and that the caterpillar eats as a larvae stage of the butterfly.

We are a certified Monarch Waystation which is a fun family or individual project to attract Monarchs and help with recovery of their population.

Below is a list of peaks for Monarchs. If you don't know your latitude, you can Google the word 'latitude' along with your city and state.

Latitude Peak In Monarch Abundance

49 18-30 August
47 24 August -5 September
45 29 August - 10 September
43 3 - 15 September
41 8 - 20 September
39 14-26 September
37 19 September - 1 October
35 24 September - 6 October
33 29 September - 11 October
31 4-16 October
29 10-22 October
27 15-27 October
25 20 October - 1 November
23 27 October -8 November
21 3-15 November

In all the world, no butterflies migrate like the Monarchs of North America. They travel much farther than all other tropical butterflies, up to three thousand miles. They are the only butterflies to make such a long, two way migration every year.

Amazingly, they fly in masses to the same winter roosts, often to the exact same trees. Their migration is more the type we expect from birds or whales. However, unlike birds and whales, individuals only make the round-trip once. It is their children's grandchildren that return south the following fall.

That's incredible!

Find out more about Monarchs and the Waystation program:
www.monarchwatch.org/

This site for Monarchs is relatively new and has lots of information also:
www.fs.fed.us/monarchbutterfly/

Consider turning a part of your yard into a Monarch Waystation. Monarchs need our help for nectar sources and egg laying plants. In the 15 years of Monarch Watch, we've lost 34 million acres of habitat, an area nearly equal to the size of Illinois. There is great value in creating Monarch Waystations.

Photo of Randal and me at our Monarch Waystation sign.

We're all connected! You've certainly heard this year about the news on honey bees and the effect that will have for our food supply. The Senate designated June 24-30 as National Pollinator Week and the U.S. Postal Service produced a set of stamps to commemorate pollinators.

If we protect Monarchs, we protect other pollinators, and if we protect native pollinators, we protect honey bees as well. Let's help keep it all connected by doing a small part. Providing a Monarch Waystation will give so much back to your family. The wonders of nature always complete the circle of giving and receiving.

Nature Crafts

All Free Crafts provides over 50 nature and gardening crafts, amongst all kinds of other craft ideas. The nature crafts use natural materials such as plants, herbs, rocks, twigs, mosses, vines, dried flowers, potpourri, feathers, gourds and seashells. Whether you are hiking, camping, or just ambling around the backyard, keep an eye open for free materials to use in your craft project. View crafts at their website:
www.allfreecrafts.com/nature/index.shtml

Natural Herbs, Supplements and Essential Oils

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

Herbs and Supplements by Health Topic

Nature's Sunshine 100% Pure Essential Oils

Wildlife Gardening

Native plants and wildlife go hand in hand. Your local plants and animals have evolved together and are dependent upon one another for survival. Plants provide animals with food, nesting sites, cover, and protection from the elements. Animals return the favor by helping to pollinate plants and spreading their seeds.

You can make your yard into a wildlife haven by selecting an array of native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that are known to attract birds, bees, butterflies, mammals, dragonflies, and more. Many of our natives are outstandingly beautiful and easy to grow and maintain.

Get more how-to information on wildlife gardening at this site:
www.enature.com/native_invasive/natives_wildlifegardening.asp

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.

Bird Facts

Song Sparrows are prolific singers. A naturalist once heard one sing almost nonstop for 9 hours. Its repertoire included more than 2,000 separate songs.

Some Blue Jay babies are fed by their parents until they're as old as 4 months.

Nuthatches only raise one brood a year, but they lay large clutches of eggs, usually 10 per nest.

Meadowlarks nest on the ground in grassy nests covered with a dome of camouflage grass.

A male House Wren often builds dummy nests in surrounding birdhouses to keep other wrens away from its nesting territory.

Living Green

Eco-Cemeteries - The Ultimate Recycle

There is a growing movement in England for farmers, local authorities and wildlife charities to establish Woodland or Nature Reserve Burial Grounds, often with a commemorative tree planted for each body there.

For instance, the city of Brighton, England is introducing eco-cemeteries where trees will replace traditional marble headstones. Bodies will be buried in coffins made of recycled cardboard. A three-acre municipal, back-to-nature cemetery with space for 3,000 graves has already been opened. The site will eventually become woodland, covered with winding trails and stocked with wildlife.

Read more here:
www.life.ca/nl/39/cemetery.html

Don't Buy Bottled Water

Drinking more water is a good thing ... but when it comes to buying bottled water, you may be better off with your own tap water according to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

NRDC tested 1,000 bottled water samples from 103 brands, and found that one-third (1/3) contained contaminants that exceeded FDA-mandated levels. They found that one-forth (1/4) of bottled water is actually just tap water.

FDA rules allow bottlers to label their water "spring water" even though it may be treated with chemicals or mechanically pumped to the surface. There's no guarantee that the spring itself is a pure one. One brand of spring water traced to its source by the NRDC came from a spring that bubbled up into an industrial parking lot, adjacent to a hazardous waste site.

Besides the doubts on sources and contamination, it's a definite that bottled water has affected the environment. The production and transport of bottled water uses large amounts of fossil fuels. Fiji-brand water, for example, is transported to the US from Fiji, over 6,000 miles. The plastic water bottles that Americans alone use and toss in one year uses up more than 47 million gallons of oil, the equivalent of taking 100,000 cars off the road and removing 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Sadly, 84% of these bottles are not even recycled. Pause and re-read those numbers for one year. You can make a difference.

Since the late 70's we have been purifying our own water. I'm not talking about a filter you put on the faucet that makes the water taste better but doesn't remove toxins. The best system you can get is reverse-osmosis (RO). I don't say that because Nature's Sunshine sells one. You can search for information on optional methods and RO always comes up high.

Bottled water is expensive for the budget also. The cost of a countertop system even with replacement filters comes out so much lower per gallon and you get to know that you have truly pure water to drink and cook with.

More on the importance of drinking water.

More about bottled water at the NRDC site:
www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/qbw.asp

Consider this 4-stage reverse-osmosis unit: Nature's Spring

Pets Are Part of Nature at Home

Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies

Nature's Heartworm Program

Healthy Pet News

Healthy Pet Corner

Free Samples of Pet Food, Supplements and Treats

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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© 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.