FIRST WEEK IN JUNE - 2014

As the description states, this blog is a nature journal of when, where and what is happening at the retreat.  In nature, something is always happening!  Just three weeks ago I could see through the woods and last years brown growth on the ground.  Now the trees have leafed out and the ironweed, wingstem, grasses and other herbaceous plants are towering over and filling in any bare spots.  

I've been taking a morning and an evening walk with binocs and my camera each day.  Here are some of the things I encountered this first week in June...captured with the limited camera skills I possess.  One of the exciting things for me was to ID two new plant species for the property.  Again...something is always happening...a seed that has been dormant finally germinates. The wind carries a seed through the air and plants itself in the readied soil.  A bird poops.  However it happens, I'm glad it does.  Enjoy!  And come visit sometime!  

PS...if you received this via email...scroll down to bottom and click on link.)

THE PRAIRIE

Venus's Looking Glass...a first!

Common Milkweed starting to bloom

Long-leaved Bluets Houstonia longifolia (I think)

Sneezeweed...another first for Prairie Pond Woods

Box Turtles were on the move this week!  They lay eggs in June in Ohio.
Had to dodge 3 while mowing the Refresher Course

Blue-winged Warbler sings all day here

Yellow-breasted Chat (annoyingly) sings all day here too!

Prairie Warbler

 THE POND

Painted Skimmer

Comet Darner...I honestly don't know how I got this photo.  I have been trying for years to photograph one.  They are so quick and they NEVER stop flying.  At one point I think I just took a shot out of frustration and was shocked when I scrolled through and saw it.  Not the clearest but considering the challenge I'm happy with it.

Mating Damselflies

THE WOODS

The Creek at the entrance to the property...and Cyon's swimming hole

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Cyon waiting while I try to (unsuccessfully) photograph a Worm-eating Warbler

WHAT'S UP?

Around the last week of May and the first week of June, after the great wildflower and warbler marathon has wound down, there tends to be a comparative lull in nature observation at Prairie Pond Woods.  Not that there isn't a myriad of fabulous things going on...it's just that most of the butterflies, dragonflies, and prairie plants are not as ephemeral as wood warblers and, well, ephemerals...so I take a little breather.  Prairies don't really burst into bloom until mid- to late-summer but even now there are a few things up and blooming that are noteworthy.  Enjoy!

Spider Milkweed

Downy Woodmint

Foxglove Beardtongue

Indian Hemp

Oxeye Daisy

The best thing to do with them, as they are not native and spread like crazy

SEEKING AND FINDING - BIRDWATCHING AS MEDITATION RETREAT

A few themes emerged from the Birdwatching as Meditation retreat, May 2-4, but most prominent were the differences between Seeking and Discovering. Each has it's time and place to be sure...but I think we agreed that beyond the goal-oriented approach to encountering wildlife, or life in general, we enjoyed just placing ourselves in a "state of seeking," or acceptance, to let Life's gifts and discoveries unfold.

Pink Lady's Slipper

 "We sought and we found. We wandered and discovered...Pink Lady's Slippers, a Field Sparrow's Nest, a Baltimore Oriole, Warblers, Columbine, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, good food, good conversation, lovely and wonderful precious encounters with nature."  - D. W. 

Saturday's cool temperatures and wind during the day made it less than stellar birding...but on the night hike we heard a clear and very close song from the upper prairie of the Chuck-wills-widow...a rather rare night jar species in Ohio...with most populations being only in Adams Co!  

 "Thank you for a marvelous weekend filled with bird sightings (many firsts!).  Your guidance has helped open wide the door to local birding." - D. M.

Male Rose-breasted grosbeaks

Sunday was filled with lots of discoveries and gifts of beauty. We heard or saw 52 bird species...over half of the 97 species at the last Prairie Pond Woods end-of-year count...in one weekend!  And while it is nice to hike the woods, strain the ears and get "warbler neck," we also enjoyed watching the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at the feeder, while having our scrambled eggs, fruit & yogurt and toast on the deck!

"The beauty here is astonishing! The land recovers when given love and stewardship. The diversity of the flora and fauna - the birds! - make this a most holy place. I spend my days and weeks when away figuring how soon I can come back." - S. C.

Showy Orchis by the creek

Below is a list of the bird species, a few more photos...and one last quote from a guest. 

"I am always blessed to be at Prairie Pond Woods.  It refreshes my spirit and soul.  I leave with a treasure in my heart."

Wild Columbine on Dolomote slump rock

Turkey Vulture

Canada Goose

Broad-winged hawk

Red-shouldered hawk

Wild Turkey

Mourning Dove

Chuck-wills-widow

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo

Red-eyed vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
Cray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Blue-winged Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black & White Warbler
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch Preening

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak

And of course our companion throughout the retreat, Cyon

SPRING WILDFLOWERS 2014

 WILD COLUMBINE ON DOLOMITE ROCK

 JACOB'S LADDER

 DOGWOOD BRACTS & FLOWERS

 ONE OF ONLY A FEW LARGE-FLOWERED TRILLIUM...BUT IT'S A START!

 PHLOX

 

PHLOX by the ROAD
 

BLUETS

APRIL FOOL

Yesterday afternoon I drove down to Prairie Pond Woods to resume the "businistry" of  Heart by Nature Retreats. Upon arrival, I heard several phoebes calling and before I went to bed a barred owl hooted from the woods.  In between, I took a walk and a friend from down the road invited me to dinner at their cabin.  It was a lovely way to begin this next season of writing and hosting retreats for women.

Walking the paths in the afternoon sunlight with Cyon, the beginning of a blog post I wrote in 2005 came to mind: 

"As I approached the wooded trail-head at Spring Valley Wildlife Area, I noticed something about myself. For whatever reason, I was not focused outwardly at that moment, but inwardly, and sensed a slight physical change, a minor elevation of heart rate perhaps, the tiniest release of adrenaline maybe...the kind of change you might experience seeing a good friend approaching unexpectedly. The moment I stepped over the chain separating woods from parking lot and on to the path, I was aware of the great expectation of discovery and a settling calm inside."

This is how I feel being here again; looking forward to whatever the days bring forth.  Like a trail head I have never been down before, I am unaware of what is before me.  Is it a straight path? A winding trail? Is it steep or wet, and are there interesting things to see?  Each time someone ventures down any trail, old or new, mysteries await. 

The trails in my life have always been a little rocky, winding and less traveled.  They were built by the pain of inner wounds, friendship, beauty, God, more pain, nature and healing.  They have been maintained by solitude in the wild, wrestling prayer and love.


So every April I open my heart, the retreat house, and our nature trails so that other women can come to find their hearts in nature.  It isn't the most popular activity to do in our culture. I know that. It may be scary for some and others may find it a foolish waste of time.  But I am an April fool...so when the creatures begin to stir and the earth magically greens-up in small bursts...I just want to share it with all the other fools out there!  

BIRD WATCHING AS MEDITATION

MAY 2-4, 201

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