I'm behind on the to-do list again. Apparently there were some strong twisty winds here Sunday. This was a live pine tree. Worst part, the tree and fence pulled this post over and left a gap, so the gate to the small inner pasture won't latch. Took about an hour to get the tree off the fence and clean up the mess, but I know how to do that. lol Decided to pull the fence posts back together with a chain and a come-along, and leave it like that until I can figure out the best way to fix it. Then Rusty and I walked the inner fence. No more problems, but there are likely more trees down on the perimeter fence.
The sorting is not going well. I'm not in the mood. I found two more sets of pictures of two more shorter trips, both with my grandparents along, which I don't remember at all. The only clue was our 1953 Buick. They will have to remain mysteries. One nice picture of my grandfather, labeled Hudson River, Peekskill, NY. In the background has to be the Bear Mountain Bridge, built in 1924. Back to decluttering....
Recap. This is Carmen (Argiope aurantia) the yellow garden spider, with her 3 egg sacs on the side of the house out in the country last fall. The video clip of Charlotte's Web someone posted made me sad, especially when Carmen finally disappeared. We had been together most of the summer. The first day the temperature was supposed to get down into the 20's I decided to remove 2 sacs, put them where they wouldn't freeze, and leave one. When it comes to wild critters, I've learned things are usually better left alone. Later in the winter I discovered Carmen's remaining egg sac was essentially hollow. Either a predator got to it or it froze. Today I cut open one of the ones I saved, and this is what came out. Now I'm worried I might have opened it too soon. But the temp has been up near 80 for several days already. That sac was so tough, I don't see how they ever get out. Will take the other one out to the farm tomorrow and just pop a little tip off and figure out a place to put it. Another web page said they eat each other when they are first born. Yikes! Maybe one of Carmen's daughters will show up this summer.
Spider cage thrown together from scraps on the side of the house near where Carmen had her web. I don't have a good feeling about this. The 3rd sac was not hollow, but dried up inside. I suppose I should have put them in a fish bowl and kept them in the house until they got bigger but I'd probably have killed them anyway. Maybe one or two will survive. "These beneficial spiders eat all manner of flying insects, such as ... mosquitoes." Insects are interesting, but I don't care much for mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and wasps.
Yikes, I am not a spider fan! If you do not like mosquitoes (I sure do not), why not build a "bat house" to put outside the perimeter of the house? You are good at building things. Bats can be scary but they do like mosquitoes and other bugs. Just saying!
Hey Pam! Good to hear from you! We have lots of bats in town. I've had two get inside the house through the fireplace. But I've never seen one out in the country. That's a good idea, if I knew they were out there. I wonder where they stay around wooded areas.
Thanks for the video, @Joe Riley. I spent a couple of hours last night watching bat house construction videos, because it sounds like a fun project. I would love to have more bats around. They said one bat can eat 5000 flying insects a day. Mosquitoes are worse in town than out in the country here. I wonder if the neighbors would complain. LOL The bat house would be easy to build, but I see several problems. If it is made out of wood, the squirrels will chew it to pieces in no time, if they can get to it. They even destroy exposed PVC pipe, just for the heck of it. They recommend at least 10 feet (preferably 15-20) off the ground, and NOT on a tree---either a post, a metal pole, or the side of a building. It would be too hard to set a new 15' tall post, or pole, that would be strong enough to hold the thing, and someone climbing on it, and the wind. The smallest house would be at least 14" x 24" x 4" Even if, by some miracle, I could get one mounted up on a pole, you have to keep checking it for wasps nests, because they will run the bats out. I'm constantly removing wasp nests off the porch. That means however high it is mounted, you need to be able to get up there to it easily and often. Other problems with hanging one on the side of a building, which I won't go into. There is an old outdoor light pole out in the country, but it's right beside a new outdoor light. Would the bats like a night light? There are a couple of clothesline posts in town, but they are too short and pretty much rotted out now. I hate it when I get excited about a project, and have to admit I can't do it. ..But I'll keep thinking....
Busy day today, but first some good news.... I was worried about the spiders because we had strong winds and rain, someone even said a tornado warning. Last time they were all hiding. Today they were all out and have formed clumps---at least 2 outside the cage, and one inside. They only move if the wind blows on them. A closer look at one clump. The twist-ties seem to have gotten their attention. Sorry I used them now. I want them to stay inside. A bird could get them. They are spinning their own webs. These things are tiny, around 1/16 inch including legs. The camera is on zoom. At least a couple should survive, don't you think? .. Hope to see a new Carmen come late summer.
This is the way the lawn looked after I mowed it. I think I know what happened. I hit a big rock last time and it made a terrible noise you could hear in the next county. Must have bent one of the blades. I want a new mower. I've always hated this mower. This makes the decision easier. My mother hit a tree root when it was new, and we had to straighten one of the blades, and it has never run right since. You have to remove the whole contraption under the tractor and turn it over (I checked the user manual). I don't want to ever have to do that again. Can anyone recommend a good brand of mower? . We've only ever had Sears/Craftsman. There are numerous videos available now showing you how to disable the thing that shuts one off when you get off the seat. It's a nuisance when you make a second pass and see your smartphone laying in the yard, and have to stop and start the mower again, just to pick up the phone. Speaking of the smartphone, I've found a temporary fix to keep it from falling from my pocket...DUCT TAPE! .. Just put a strip over your pocket, and hope you don't get any calls. . .
Half way through first mowing of back lawn this spring. It took all day yesterday, off and on, because the two mowers complained that they didn't like the grass that tall. This always happens in the spring, but this year set a record I believe. I had a good excuse.
The spiders are venturing out on their own a few at a time, climbing up long thin webs. Saw the first permanent hummingbird today. Rusty is losing his winter undercoat. It's just like cotton. Spent a half hour brushing him. About a half bushel of hair came out. There will be more.