A Glimpse of Nature

On a quiet June afternoon, I was scouting the grounds to see what might be seen and, truth be told, hoping to get another look at the painted turtle . . . or any turtle, for that matter. I didn’t. It was about about six o’clock when I circled back towards the pergola, close to the bocce court, when some movement caught my attention. Beyond the pergola near the back end of the garden, a brown animal ran across the grass towards a dense thicket. The cottontail often grazes at this time of day, in the open but with an escape route nearby.

Hello Gardeners,

We have a winner for the first round of The Great Seed Experiment!  Congratulations to Connor, Nathan, and Trenton Forth (and their parents) for winning the prize for “Sprouting Reports and Documentation.”  They not only created an amazing backyard garden, they also documented and shared the experience.

When was the last time you saw a turtle?  Where was it and what was it doing?

Perhaps it was swimming in a local pond or perched on a muddy bank ready to slip into the water in response to a perceived threat.

 Most visitors to the Ames Free Library know and love Queset Garden’s reflecting pool which is a lovely spot to visit in all seasons.

 Reflecting Pool at Queset Garden

Recently I witnessed a dust storm . . . a very small dust storm on the far side of Queset House.  Disappointed that I had spooked a bird, I sat quietly in a less conspicuous place and amused myself by watching a gray squirrel scurry off with a black walnut.  Then the bird returned and kicked up enough sand to attract the attention of any onlookers.  Here she is:

Neighbors don’t always get along, especially when they live in close proximity without sharing the same goals. Recently this has become apparent in the library’s neighborhood where noisy conflicts occur almost every day. Last Saturday the din could be heard inside the library building. Just listen:

Bird song is among the most conspicuous natural phenomena of May.  If you have recently walked at the Ames Free Library or, for that matter, anywhere in southeastern Massachusetts, you couldn’t help but hear the chorus:  resident birds, newly-arrived migrants, and passers-through are all singing.  Those who stay sing to attract mates and to announce their territory.  In most, though not all species, the males deliver the songs.  They sing like there’s no tomorrow and, indeed, there really isn’t.  Our short-lived songbirds must start the process of raising young while food is avail

Good things take time to grow:  A Glimpse of Nature will return next week with the promised post on spring ephemerals.  In the meantime, here’s this week’s challenge:

2. Photograph one wildflower in bloom.  Yes, you can use your phone!

Which flowers have you seen lately?  Read about Lorraine’s botanical adventures in next week’s A Glimpse of Nature.  

 “The Great Seed Experiment” is off to a vigorous start!  Hundreds of patrons have picked up seeds for their home gardens, as well as helpful factsheets and seed journals to record their observations.  This week, the library received its first photos and “Sprouting Reports” from gardeners.  Spring peas are already germinating.