Here is the Heron

Most of the painting on the great blue heron is done.

The body was painted with 2 coats of white primer.  The neck is colored tan, with the main body in grey.  The yellow bill and black cap and shoulders finished the trim colors.  I have a little touch up to do (including the eyes).  I need to let the current paint to dry before I finish the touch-up work.

What do you think?

Mayflies

Most mornings as I walk out to my garage I am greeted by a variety of visitors.  The large light on the garage attracts a cast of nighttime wanderers who decide to land on my garage doors.

Yes, it is May, and I am visited by mayflies.

I get a number of varieties depending on the time of year.  Sadly, I don't remember the types and classifications any more (I was better at recognizing them when I was actively fly fishing for trout).

Not be be left out, we also get an occasional caddisfly.  Both the mayflies and caddisflies live in the creek.

When I come home at night the visitors are gone.  Did they leave to mate?  Food for birds?  A small mystery to ponder.

Grumble, Grumble

It's that time of season.  The warm weather has given the plants a much needed boost after the bitter cold this past winter.

What does this mean?

The knotweed is back!

No problem.   I grabbed the scythe, gave the blade a quick sharpen with a file, and mowed the knotweed down.

The battle begins . . .

Blue Heron Project

I have been working on a small project these last few months - a blue heron statue / carving.

I started with a good photo of a great blue heron.  From it, I sketched the outline of the heron (to full scale).

I transferred the outline to a large board.

I composed the heron in three parts - one being the basic body, neck and head with the other two identical wing and body parts.

Once cut out with a jigsaw, I had a general form of the great blue heron.

I screwed the wing sections on each side of the main body, and then drilled two holes in the base to support legs (the legs are simple 2 foot sections of rebar.

A little sanding, and I have a statue of a great blue heron to place by the water.  Next step - time to paint!

Lost and Found

I seem to spend all my weekends doing yard work.  I've been delinquent with my posts.  Having two homes means I have twice the yard work.  Mowing, trimming, raking, planting, etc.

I spent some time by our river house transplanting plants.  Daffodils and irises have been moved about.  As this property is new to us, I am not sure what else will come up.

The daffodils by the river house are in full bloom.

I was surprised to come across a large group of yellow trout lilies.  They are in a part of the yard that is kept more wild (i.e., not organized and difficult to mow).  These were a nice surprise.

The best yards are not just big expanses of lawn and turf.  They need quite spots where one can find unexpected groupings and a mix of plants and textures.

Back around the farm, Spring is coming later (the farm is at a higher altitude).  We even had snow flurries last weekend.  I did rake out the gardens, remove the plow blade and put on the mower deck, and trimmed a few plants.  The daffodils have not bloomed yet, though the tiger lilies and peonies are emerging.

Sadly, my one lone trillium hasn't emerged.  I keep watching for it, but I don't see any sign of it.

To my amazement, we have a large group of trilliums at the river house!

I lost one old friend, but found many more!

Postscipt:

This post was originally published on May 2nd.  Today (May 4th), I found that the single trillium at the farm house has indeed emerged.

I have been nurturing this plant for over 8 years.  They usually flower around Mother's Day.  I hope it will finally bloom!  Lost, but found again!