by Winding Pathways | Jan 12, 2015 | (Sub)Urban Homesteading, Energy Efficiency, Nature, Preparedness
People have the good fortune to sit in a warm home watching birds glean seeds outdoors in winter’s frigid weather. It is amazing that they remain active in temperatures that cause human frostbite after just minutes of exposure.
Birds have several adaptations that enable them to function in extreme cold. Perhaps most important is being clothed in highly efficient insulators – feathers. Even in our era of modern high tech insulation, goose down quilts and coats are warmer than any synthetic insulation, so the hundreds of feathers covering small birds keep them warm.
Birds have a high metabolism that produces toasty body heat but requires huge quantities of fuel. They must eat often and spend much of the day foraging. To fight the cold they devour high calorie foods such as weed seeds and frozen insects. But beef suet and sunflower seeds stocked in bird feeders also help keep them warm.
During extreme cold birds often overnight in the security of a dead tree. Tiny birds snugly pass howling blizzards tucked into small crevices. Wood is a relatively efficient insulator and birds squeeze between the bark and wood or in holes excavated by woodpeckers. Bird houses erected in spring to attract nesting wrens or bluebirds serve double duty as safe roosting sites.
Unfortunately winter is the season of death for many birds and other small wild animals. Cold, wind, snow, lack of food and predators take their toll and only a fortunate small percentage of young wild animals live until their first birthday.
This winter we have seen as many as four male and one female bluebirds at one time at our “dogfeeder” waterer.
During the winter provide plenty of seed and suet for the birds. And, remember that critical element – water!
Homeowners can help birds safely winter by protecting dead trees and erecting bird houses before cold weather arrives. Put the latter on your list to do this spring and give the birds a hand for next winter.
by Winding Pathways | Jan 6, 2015 | Birds, Nature
Step out the back door this winter and scan the sky. You might spot our national bird soaring overhead.
A few decades ago eagle populations had been decimated by DDT poisoning and odds of spotting an eagle in Iowa were long. That’s changed as eagles began increasing in the 1990’s across the country. Although still not abundant, they are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas.
Eagles aren’t shy and don’t seem to mind being around people. They sometimes even nest inside city limits, usually in a large tree near water and cruise over neighborhoods in their search for food.
Winter is the most likely season to spot an eagle. During summer months some nest in warm states but more fly north to raise their young along remote lakes and streams in Minnesota, upper New England and Canada. When those northern lakes ice over in late fall eagles gradually move south until they find open water and plenty of fish. Dams create turbulence and factories sometimes discharge warm water that keep water open in otherwise frozen rivers. Eagles love these places and concentrate there, often even in the downtown of large cities.
Eagles will dine roadside on carcasses.
Eagles enjoy eating fish but also feast on deer killed by cars and nearly any dead animal they can find. Don’t be surprised to see one on the edge of a highway having a venison breakfast.
Mature bald eagles of both genders have characteristic white tails and heads. When soaring at high elevation white feathers are nearly invisible against the sky and the bird looks headless and tailless.
Young bald eagles are nearly as big as their parents but their tails and heads are dark. White feathers don’t form until they are three or four years old. A high percentage of young birds are a sign of successful reproduction and a growing population.
by Winding Pathways | Dec 29, 2014 | Mammals, Nature
Every winter the residents of urbanized areas are astonished to spot massively antlered buck deer in broad daylight. These large animals haven’t just moved to town. They’ve been here all along. Unlike does and fawns, bucks are exceedingly secretive and are rarely spotted as they hide in tiny urban wooded areas and even prairies. However, during the main mating season in November and a secondary one in December bucks lose their caution and may be spotted in even the most urban areas. Also, all deer are more visible in winter than summer because leaves have dropped and snow covers the ground.
Sometimes an area’s largest bucks reside in towns for a number of reasons. Often cities have nutritious food interspersed with woods and ravines that provide secluded hiding places. Hunters usually prefer to shoot large bucks, and in rural areas these often become steaks and chops before they fully mature. Most city bucks are well nourished and, provided they survive highway collisions, are more likely to live longer and grow bigger antlers than their rural cousins.Well-nourished five and six year old bucks normally have the largest antlers but beyond these years their antlers decline as part of the aging process.
Today many cities allow bow hunting to trim deer damage to vegetation and reduce vehicle collisions. Usually hunters are required to shoot does, which allows urban bucks grow old and large.
Every year, usually in March or April but sometimes as early as December, bucks shed their antlers. By late April they begin growing new ones. So, the very large antlerless deer spotted in late winter could be a buck. Hunting shed antlers in late winter is becoming a popular activity.
Although big bucks live near people all year, winter is a great season to observe them.
by Winding Pathways | Dec 16, 2014 | Nature, Travel/Columns, Trees/Shrubs
Rockefeller Center is the site of an amazing Christmas Tree that overlooks the skating rink in NYC.
Although increasing numbers of Americans are opting for an artificial Christmas tree, millions enjoy bringing a real tree into their homes for the festive season. As the fashions wax and wane, we see an upsurge in families eagerly venturing out to tree farms to select and cut a real tree. Many species of evergreens are used for Christmas trees but the following species are by far the most common:
EASTERN WHITE PINE: This is the great pine of New England and the upper Lake States that was logged to near oblivion in the late 1800s. It can grow to over 200 feet tall. Thankfully many survived and today the white pines are often used for Christmas Trees in the East. The natural range of the Eastern White Pine is from Southern Canada down to the Mid-Atlantic states and west to about Iowa. It has been widely planted outside its native range and a similar species, the Western White Pine, lives in northern Idaho and nearby Montana and Washington. White pines grow relatively rapidly and have five long soft needles in a bunch.
SCOTS (or Scotch) PINE: This fast growing but usually short lived tree has become increasingly popular as a Christmas tree. They are usually cut when only five or six feet tall, making them ideal for smaller houses and apartments. The species is native to Europe and is the most widespread pine in the world. It has several subspecies. Scots pine has two short twisted and somewhat stiff needles per bundle. On large trees the upper trunk bark is sometimes bright orange.
The soft glow of lights on a cold winter’s night warms our hearts.
BALSAM AND FRASER FIRS: This traditional Eastern tree is native to the cool moist north woods. Widespread in upper New England and Eastern Canada its range extends south along the Appalachian Mountains and west to Iowa. One of the slower growing conifers it has the wonderful evergreen fragrance that many people associate with Christmas. A similar tree, called the Fraser Fir, looks almost the same but the underside of its needles is silvery. It is native to the southern Appalachians. Both the Balsam and Fraser Firs have very short needles. These are by far favored Christmas Trees in the North East and along the East Coast.
OTHERS: Ponderosa pines and Douglas Firs are native to many western states and are often used for Christmas trees. A smattering of other pine, spruce, and fir species are also occasionally used.
In the East most people purchase a tree, but out west it’s more common for a family to make an outing to cut a wild tree. Occasionally, a family will bring a cedar, arbor vitae, or even a dried tumbleweed home to decorate as a Christmas “tree”.
by Winding Pathways | Nov 18, 2014 | Nature, Preparedness
Few household items are as handy as a pair of binoculars. Sure, they are great for getting a close look at birds visiting the feeder, but they are also helpful to:
- inspect the roof from the ground for loose shingles. No climbing up a ladder.
- view from a distance butterflies, bees and other insects. No scaring them off.
- bring distant worlds into view from the backyard. In today’s overly lit cities and rural farmyards only a few stars are bright enough to see with the naked eyes. Binoculars bring many more into view along with planets, comets and even the International Space Station.
- make viewing ball games, concerts and large stage shows more interesting and intimate.
We don’t have just “a pair” of binoculars at Winding Pathways. We have several. Each of us keeps a pair in the car. One is near our dining room table, another in an upstairs bedroom and a final one in our offices. We also have a compact pair that gets tucked into the suitcase when we travel by plane.
Binoculars are an outstanding gift, but buying a quality pair without breaking the budget can get confusing. Dozens of brands and models flood the market and range in price from under $20 to several months mortgage payments. How do you choose?
Most people are best served by versatile general purpose binoculars. A few numbers are helpful to know. For example many binoculars are 8X40 or 8X42. The first number means how much magnification the binocs provide. In this case it’s eight power. The second number tells how large the lens is at the end of the binocular and indicates how much light it lets in. The bigger the number, the more light the binoculars let in and the wider the outer lenses are. In this case, if you divide the first number into the second, the result is around five. They will be a great general purpose pair of binoculars. Mini compact binocs commonly have a division factor of three. They will be easy to carry but less useful when the light is poor or for astronomy. On the other end of the spectrum are binoculars designed for low light. They will have large second numbers and are usually too big and bulky for general use but ideal for astronomy and spotting wildlife at dusk.
At Winding Pathways Rich prefers eight power binoculars and Marion uses 10 power models. As the power increases they become harder to hold steady without vibration and the field of view gets smaller. In other words you see less of the landscape with 10 power than with eight, so it may be harder to find that distant deer or bird. Ten power is great for people with steady hands.
Price gives some indication of quality. Avoid very inexpensive binoculars like the plague. If all you can afford is a $25 gift buy something other than optics. On the other hand there’s no point in buying expensive binoculars for general around the home use or for casual use. Fortunately optics on mid-priced binoculars has gotten much better in recent years, and outstanding models are available at modest cost.
We’ve used dozens of pairs of binoculars of many configurations and brands and believe those in the $125 to $250 price range are generally just fine for around the house use. Double the price and you’ll get better optics but you won’t get double the value because it takes companies more expense to get small improvements in quality.
Be sure the binoculars are comfortable in the hands, provide clear viewing, and are fun to use. We like to view butterflies and bees that are often only six to ten feet from our eyes, so close focusing is important to us.
So, what brand do we use? In recent years we’ve mostly purchased Alpen binoculars. They feature excellent optics at reasonable cost. But, many other brands are also outstanding. Binoculars can be purchased in stores, through catalogs or over the Internet. Buying in stores gives an opportunity to hold them and examine the optics before the purchase is made. Buying over the Internet makes returning, if necessary, easy and gives a chance to read reviews. Internet purchasing is becoming more common.
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From time to time Winding Pathways will profile companies that provides equipment or services helpful in managing and enjoying wondrous yards. We have used their products and found them well made. However, we recognize that competing companies sell excellent products and services, so we encourage people to shop the market and find goods and services they like at a price they can afford.
In coming months Winding Pathways will feature profiles of Murray McMurray Hatchery, The Seed Savers Exchange, Milwaukee Tools and manufacturers of bird feeders.
Our inaugural profile is of the Alpen Outdoor Corporation.
Tim and Vickie Gardner established Alpen in 1996. He had been VP of Bausch and Lomb’s Bushnell division and wanted to provide a line of sports optics that delivers high quality and value. Alpen sells a wide array of binoculars and spotting and rifle scopes.
Although a relatively new company, Alpen has won several prestigious optics awards including Outdoor Life Magazine’s GREAT BUY award seven times and its EDITOR’S CHOICE award once.
Alpen is a family owned business and, although smaller than big brands, it is proud of its superb customer service and its” no fault” lifetime product guarantee.
When asked what distinguishes Alpen binoculars from other brands, Tim Gardner replied, “We work to provide more value and better quality compared to other manufacturers. We keep overhead low and concentrate more on customer service than fancy advertising.”
Here are his suggestions for general purpose around the home binoculars: “I recommend eight power as it gives the best brightness, field of view and ease of use. A full size 8X52 or 8X25 is outstanding for general use.”
When asked what binoculars were best for children he replied, “The most important thing is for the binocular to be able to adjust to fit the smaller face and closer set eyes of children. Alpen has an 8X30 model designed for kids. It has barrels that are close together to fit a child’s face. Some double hinge compact roof prism binoculars can also be adjusted to fit small faces”.
Contact Vicki or Tim at Alpen Outdoor Corporation, 10329 Dorset Street, Rancho Cucamonga,
CA 91730. (877)987-8370. www.alpenoptics.com.
by Winding Pathways | Nov 17, 2014 | Chickens, Children/Play, Nature, Reflections/Profiles, Wonderment
First Snow has a magic that draws children to it. Even some adults “get into” a first snow. Share your adventures and memories – current or past – of a First Snow. (Or any winter adventure you cherish.) Let us sparkle with life. For those who prefer to enjoy winter inside curled up with a good story, Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods On Snowy Evening” or John Greenleaf Whittier’s “Snowbound” both at Poetry Foundation are terrific reads.
*The idea of posting about the magic of first snow was inspired by Wahneta Tonn Dimmer’s FB post and hearing our neighbors’ children laugh as they belly slid down a slope by their home. Yes snow has its hazards and needs to be shoveled. But we can whistle while we work and appreciate the beauty of an Iowa winter in November.
First Snow is magical.
Devany Souza – musher extraordinaire
“I was dog-sledding to Alaska. I had some medicine for the
children and all the grown ups who were sick. I put the medicine
in the box, with a blanket under it and on top of it, so it wouldn’t freeze. And the lead dog was my Husky named ‘Snowflake’.
The dogs’ paws froze and I had to put them in my sled and
push the sled until I got to Alaska. When I got to Alaska, everyone
got out of their cottages and cheered. I let my dogs off their harness and a lot of children came up and started petting them and they built
a statue of the three dogs and a statue of me. The End.”
Devany Souza as dictated to her mom, Kelly Carr Souza.
Considering their options.
Plotting a Winter Escapade
Summer Bunny and Jumping Bean were two intrepid Tortoise Shell Dutch Bunnies who loved to explore in summer and winter. They like the paths that we shoved for them best, but they were little deterred by snow. Hilarious to watch, they would seem to plot their adventures. Usually their paths took them under the gnarliest branches and into the thorniest thickets.
After a suitable romp they usually were ready to come back to the hutch for a snack and warming up in their bunny box. They always made winter fun.
“Hygge”
The infant snuggled close to her mama as snow drifted down outside.
“I made a conscious decision to stay home today. I did not touch my car, or anyone else’s car. We had a warm breakfast. We wore comfortable clothes. Around 11:00 a.m. the neighbor girl came over and drew my older daughter outdoors, where they mostly stayed until about 4:30 p.m., reveling in the newly fallen snow. Too powdery for snowmen or snowballs, but good for pulling a sled! My little one, of course, was intrigued by her older sister’s adventures. I found too-big snow pants for her and rolled up the legs; put on her coat and hat, and held her little hand as she shuffled down the sidewalk. In the afternoon, we had chicken noodle soup and a nap. I read my book. To the little one’s delight, we were not separated by more than an inch for most of the day. My sister came to visit and we toasted with a couple of glasses of wine and ate some salmon. I recently read about Danish “hygge”; there’s no good translation to English but it could be thought of as coziness, togetherness, and well-being that gets us through winter. We may have discovered it in Iowa already this winter! I hope it carries us through.” Sophie Nicholson
The Magic of Winter
A typical winter scene – an assortment of gloves, mittens, hats, scarves all returned from a day on the snowy slopes.
“Children know how to do it right, celebrate winter that is! Watch the excitement in their eyes as the first snow flakes fall, then as the snow begins to accumulate on the grass, trees, patio swing and sidewalk. “Do you think it will be enough to go sledding, Mom?” my son asked.
“As a child I was fortunate enough to grow up in a five acre wood that was once home to a ski jump in rural Wisconsin. My brother, two cousins and friends from the neighborhood would bundle up and brave the Wisconsin winter cold for the thrill of the descent. From our side of the hill, we would climb a narrow, well worn trail through the woods. As we approached the top the ski slope would open up to reveal the valley to the south. We were well protected from any wintery winds by the tall hardwoods that lined the ski slope.
“The ride down was well worth the long trek up through the woods. The hill always kept its promise of a fast and exciting ride down. We would often have races to see who could reach the bottom first! I can only imagine in the stillness of the snowy countryside, that our giggles and squeals could be heard far and wide. When we just couldn’t bear walking up the hill one more time, our sled seemed like 50 pounds instead of five, our mittens were just too wet and our toes too cold, we would trek back down the trail in the woods. Mom would surely have hot cocoa and warm wintery treats waiting upon our return. She would welcome us home, pink cheeks and all. She would want to hear every detail of our adventure.
“What strikes me most in hindsight is the realization that we never worried about the time. We were so engrossed in the wonderful experience, the joy of it, the thrill of it, that we had not a care in the world. We were truly present and enthralled by the experiences that winter had blessed us with.
“An old friend once said, “It is not really about bad weather. It is really about having the right gear.” Whether you choose to bundle up and dive into the snow and cold or have the opportunity to witness the magic through a child’s eyes, allow yourself to get caught up in it. Magic is all around us. Take time to see it and experience it!” Wahneta Tonn Dimmer
The Severins welcome winter’s first snow with
the magical spirit of children.
The Severins take on winter with a smile and dinner out!
“The first snowfall of the season descended in large fluffy clumps … the kind of snowflakes you want to try to catch on your tongue … the kind of snowflakes that sparkle and glisten in the light from the street lamps. We ventured out into the snowy night and shared in its magic.”
