I'm not sure what to make of it this year. We did have an unusual, very scattered weather pattern this spring. Now, a week past May 10, the migration numbers have increased again. Last night nearly two million crossed over Milwaukee County. But I'll be damned if any of them stopped off in my yard. Perhaps they are late this year, and are opting to continue onward, skipping our bird-friendly backyard diner, and heading straight to nesting territories up north. Or the winds caused them to veer further west, and head north from there. The central and western part of Wisconsin has seen very high migration numbers in recent days, as seen in Birdcast.info readings from May 10 shown here.
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As a fan of The Humane Gardener, Nancy Lawson's first book, I was looking forward to the release of Wildscape. It's an ambitious, and deep dive into the surprisingly intricate wild worlds that exist just outside our back doors. There is some serious science in here. At least for a non-scientist like me. I still found it fascinating. I came away with a better understanding of the relationships between insects and plants than I have ever had. Understanding these relationships will benefit a gardener far better than any pesticide ever would.
Nancy Lawson has an engaging way of sharing her personal experiences in life, and drawing illumination, wisdom and comfort from the natural world. From familial loss to the magic of fireflies, noise pollution and its effect on birdsong, to the phenomenon of reclamation by wildlife that occurred when the world went quiet during the anthropause of the pandemic, Ms. Lawson weaves a thread of understanding and curiosity that connects us all together.
Watts introduces the act of bird observation as a healing balm to many ailments, physical and emotional. By way of her own personal journey, she shares the way in which the simple observation of a warbler through a kitchen window can help us to set aside the stress of life, our physical or emotional pain, and just be in the moment with a thing of beauty most profound.
Part memoir, part beginner's guide, Keep Looking Up is filled with reflections on Watts' personal experiences, and with tips and prompts for encouraging our own healing through observing birds in the wild, and from the view of our own kitchen windows. She illustrates that no matter who you are, what you look like, or where you live, finding peace and healing through a connection with birds is a universal possibility. It's a lovely read as well. Drab, blah, lackluster, dull, sad, gray, gloomy...that's Wisconsin this spring. I'm tired of talking about it, but I still do. Aside from a pair of really sunny warm days about a month ago, spring has been a real dud this year. It may be known historically as a season of new beginnings, new growth, new love, and all that, but this year it's just bringing me down. After a gray winter, a gray spring. Ugh! Dear Mother Nature: I'm not giving up. I've been sneaking outside, in spite of the rain and the gloom, to find evidence of spring's arrival. Trying to shine a bit of sun on the beauty of budding trees and flowers, and the advent of lustful birdsong. Thank goodness for the little things. I'm sure brighter, sunnier, warmer days will arrive any minute now. Right?
RESTORING Prairie, Woods, and Pond is the tale of How A small Trail Can Make A Big Difference. In this book, written for children, and budding naturalists of all ages, Laurie Lawlor explores the experience of bringing back nature one helping hand at a time. Throughout the book, she examines how community is key. How bringing together people from different backgrounds and working toward a common goal fosters a pride in community that's hard to find elsewhere. The transformation of a city-owned dumping ground into the Eagle Nature Trail is a perfect example. Lawlor delves into the early history of the land the trail now encompasses, reaching as far back as the glacial age, and traces the timeline up through the first living plant organisms, to the native prairie ecosystem. Then onward as animals, birds, dragonflies, and other animal and insects inhabited the land, and, eventually, the first humans. The story continues on to tell of the Indigenous peoples who first lived on the land, and the eventual arrival of the first Euro-American settlers who farmed the land. It illustrates the changes to the landscape, the extreme weather events through the years, environmental struggles, and the beginnings of surveying the land to determine the best natural use for it.
The last time I visited the Mitchell Park Domes was in early 2020, just before Covid-19 shut down the world. Little did I know as I toured the different domes that day, what was to come. For a while they were closed, then it was by reservation only, with masks. Normal operations have now resumed. You can walk in during visiting hours, buy a ticket, and wander freely. Masks optional. Amid the drudgery of winter days, when I dream of living somewhere else, somewhere warmer, more tropical, or just more green at this time of year, The Domes provide an easy escape. No plane tickets, no hotels, no rental cars. Located right here in Milwaukee, you can still get away to someplace warm and wild. After several days of challenging winter weather this past week, I was happy to return to the domes, and escape inside to warmer temps, earthy perfume, and colorful blooms. It was just the winter break I needed. 🏜️ The Desert Dome includes over 600 plants from several regions of the world: North and South America, Southern Africa and the Canary Islands, and Madagascar. Step inside and you'll enjoy a bit of desert landscape, walking paths past giant cacti, succulents, and colorful, desert-centric blooms. Have a seat on one of the benches and just let yourself imagine you're on a walk through a desert garden. The Tropical Dome welcomes you to a world of brightly colored blooms, in a warm, steamy climate. Inside this urban jungle, you will find over 1200 types of plants, including magnificent palms, orchids, and the bird of paradise. A waterfall cascades into a Koi pond that flows underneath a pedestrian bridge. Benches along the path invite you to sit and enjoy a view that includes exotic hibiscus, climbing ferns, and a canopy of fruiting plants including bananas, orange, and coconut palm, just to name a few. Wild birds like the exotic sub-Saharan Orange Bishops Weaver, share residency in the Tropical Dome with the plants and trees. The Floral Show Dome transitions into different themed displays five times per year. The current theme is Plant-itary Orbits, and runs through March 26. The showroom is decked out with intricate displays of the planets of our solar system, along with a wide variety of blooming, earthly plants, and trains. Yes, trains in space! Train lovers, and space enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy this display. For a schedule of upcoming show dome displays, click here. |
AuthorA nature lover, bird watcher, wildlife fan, amateur photographer, humane gardener, traveler, and singer of songs. I've been keeping closer to home these days, and truly discovering the beauty that lies in TheParkNextDoor. Archives
May 2024
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