Tag Archive 'nature'

Great Backyard Bird Count

February 12th, 2010

Have a backyard bird feeder? Like to go for a walk in the woods or along a lakefront? Or do you like to birdwatch wherever you are?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, taking place this weekend, February 12th-15th. The data collected are important [...]

Walk in the Woods

November 6th, 2009

One of the great things about living in Morton Grove is the amount of green space for a suburb that’s so close to the Chicago city limits. The North Branch of the Chicago River runs through the town not too far from our house, and the river is surrounded by the Cook County Forest Preserve. [...]

House Mimics Nature

November 2nd, 2008

Who knew that our Black Chokeberry would match the house so well, or vice versa? The oranges, greens, reds and browns really mimic our colorful face brick.

I haven’t noticed any birds feasting on the berries yet, but it should provide some much-needed food as winter approaches.

Who Dug This Hole?

July 31st, 2008

We’re getting ready to plant native grass seed in the side yard next to our patio. Pete dug up the last of the crabgrass and weeds last weekend and three cubic yards of leaf compost are being delivered on Saturday.
Over the past couple of days, we’ve noticed several holes in this area which have been [...]

Swallowtail

July 28th, 2008

I saw this beauty enjoying the Joe-Pye Weed over the weekend.

According to Wikipedia, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
adult males are yellow, with four black “tiger stripes” on each fore wing. The trailing edges of the fore and hind wings are black which is broken with yellow spots. On the medial margin of the hind wing next [...]

They’re Multiplying Like…well, Like Rabbits

June 30th, 2008

I mistakenly transplanted a False Sunflower from our previous house thinking it was one of the natives. The plant is nice, but it’s very invasive.
Pete was getting ready to dig it up until he discovered a bunny nest very close to it. The babies are newborns, eyes still shut and virtually hairless. We hoped [...]