Backyard Bird–The Catbird-Gardening
Backyard Bird--The Catbird
It's quiet now.Gone is the constant chatter, whistles and meowing sounds as you jump from branch to branch safeguarding your territory against all trespassers.Gone too is the uniform gray body offset with the black cap and tail feathers, with just a smidgen of rust coloration under the tail coverts, that allows you to blend in with your natural habitat of dense udergrowth and thickets.They call you a skulker, a bird hard to see in the dense underbrush. Usually heard but now seen.Definitely NOT a backyard bird.Except in my backyard.Maybe it's because my back yard is filled with trees and dense undergrowth along the rear and side fences.
Or maybe it's because there is a wooded area of trees and underbrush in the low-lying parcel of land across the street.
Or maybe it's because of a reason I can't fully understand.I know you don't stay becasue of my bird feeders, because you don't have birdseed in you diet.
You prefer insects, spiders and fruit berries instead.But whatever the reason, I'm grateful.I'm grateful that you have chosen my yard as your place to breed and have chicks.
And not just this year. But last year too. Definitely unusual.I'm delighted to watch you jump and fly from one low hanging branch to another, or from one small tree to another, constantly chattering or meowing your right of territory.But I never did get to see your mate's nest. You never led me there. So I don't know how many chicks you fledged and whether they all survived.But it's late summer now. And it's quiet again.Are you already heading south on your long migration journey? To southern Florida? Or Texas? Or even to eastern Mexico?I understand that for this trip, you've teamed up with some other catbirds, so that you are in a group of a dozen or so. For protection? For guidance?Whatever the reason, I hope your migration south and your return next year is successful. I would really like it if you or one of your chicks return to my yard. I look forward to your whistles and meowing as you defend your territory and build your nest.But until next year, "skulker" catbird,Goodbye...Gary Machado has been a field and backyard birdwatcher for over 30 years. You may visit his site at:
http://www.bird-feeders-and-more.com
Preliminary Considerations Before Building Your Own Backyard Garden Pond-Gardening
Preliminary Considerations Before Building Your Own Backyard Garden Pond
This article is geared towards the beginner water gardener, who is comtemplating the installation of his/her first garden pond. The key to a successful do-it-yourself project is to gather as much relevant information that you can. To follow are some preliminary considerations and design tips that must be taken into account, before embarking on a water gardening project.PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS1. LocationInstall it as close as the house as possible to maximize enjoyment. For safety reasons, make sure that there are no underground utilities where you will be excavating. Check with your local utility company before you begin digging.Be sure to consider the slope of the land and the location of the pond in order to avoid rainwater runoff. If the pond is located in a low-lying area, lawn fertilizers and other chemicals can wash into the pond and harm the fish and plants.To grow healthy aquatic plants, you will require adequate sun exposure. Most aquatic plants require four to six hours of sunlight per day to ensure healthy growth.2. SizeMake your pond as large as possible, to give you flexibility when you later fill up the pond with fish and plants.3. PurposeDo you want to focus on growing water lilies? If so, locate the pond in full sun. Do you want to raise pond fish? If so, shady areas would be preferred.4. EdgingYou can edge your pond with stones, boulders, plants, beaches, and docks. Plan ahead how you would like to edge your pond.5. StyleNatural style ponds are built to create the illusion of a mountain stream with waterfalls. Larger boulders and flat stones can be used in combination to create the look of a naturally formed stream. The sound of falling water can be fine-tuned through the careful arrangement and placement of stone.Urban ponds are typically smaller in area, and are designed to fit well in smaller backyards.Koi ponds must be able to accomodate fish that can grow to about 2.5 feet in length. Many koi ponds have no plants because koi have a tendency to eat certain types of plants. You must plan for an extremely large pond, and provide adequate surface area for the absorption of oxygen into the water. Ponds for koi must be at least 3 feet deep to provide room for mobility. They also require filtration to keep the water clean.DESIGNNext, you must make a decision on the type of pond that you want.Pre-formed ponds come in a variety of shapes, usually with plant shelves built in. They are ideal for first-time pond builders because they are extremely durable, and less susceptible to tears and punctures. Furthermore, their sturdy pond lips ease the task of leveling during installation. Preformed ponds are easy to install and clean, but require more skill to fit the hole in the ground with the shape of the pond. When properly supported, preformed ponds are ideal for above-ground, indoor, and patio setups.Flexible liners are ideal for the more experienced water gardeners. They allow for easy and very forgiving installations, which consequently promotes greater creativity. Because you can create various shapes with liners, it is possible to construct larger, and deeper configurations (when compared to preformed ponds).Concrete installations usually require a professional installation. Concrete is a medium that tends to crack as the ground freezes and thaws.Use a garden hose to lay out your garden pond shape on the ground. This will allow you to experiment with the size and shape of your pond. Once you have a plan for your water garden, it is important to get your design on paper. The design drawing is paramount because it will help you to make an accurate estimate of the material you will need. The diagram also will allow you to plan for the placement of all the accessories. Be sure to take into consideration the space that rocks and aquatic plants will take in the final design. The pond may appear much smaller visually after all the ponds and rocks are added. At this point, you should also plan for the amount of plant material that you may need to landscape the pond.Finally, it is now time to make a list of materials required. These materials can be purchased from our online store. In our next article, we will provide detailed instructions on how to install both liner and preformed ponds.This article was reproduced with permission from http://www.gardensupermart.com/tips.aspTo view the complete article (with pictures), please go to http://www.gardensupermart.com/tips/intro.asp
Hot Tubs Create a Backyard Oasis – Home-Improvement
Hot Tubs Create a Backyard Oasis
What would you like in the backyard that is great for entertaining, would be a focal point and can be enjoyed by the whole family? Hot tubs could be what you are looking for. Immersing in hot or warm water goes back centuries to Greek, Japanese and Roman texts. Hydrotherapy has said to aid in pain and stress relief. They also offer fun at the same time. Water is buoyant and resists gravity. It is known to aid in sleeping and easy exercises done in the warm water assist with muscle and joint pain. The jets massage the body and just feel good. If you haven't experience that good feeling when you are relaxing in the warm water of a hot tub and the jets are bubbling or swimming in the pool with the cool water lapping around you then you are really missing something in life. You can actually assist your heart to beat more efficiently while you sit back in the water.A hot tub gazebo and beautiful landscaping can create a private oasis in your backyard. Hot tubs are an easy way to achieve the "get away from it all" feeling at home. Would you like to create a total hot tub experience? Along with the private setting, you can include surround sound and play your favorite music. How about special lighting that changes for atmosphere? If you don't want to miss the football game, some tubs come equipped with pop up televisions and cup holders or ice buckets. You can customize your soak and have a foot well just for those aching feet, or waterfalls and misters installed. Add scent with aromatherapy options for a lovely scent wafting over your experience. Sounds good doesn't it? Who doesn't think of a party when you hear the word "hot tub"? It is a very social type of gathering but can be extremely romantic for two at the same time. Lean back and look up at the stars with the person you love while listening to the surround sound music.There are sizes and colors that are available to suit every budget. Before you buy, think about how you are going to use it. Is it just for two or do you want to entertain? Don't be afraid to sit in one in the showroom. You want to get something that is comfortable for your back. In order to enjoy the tub, make sure you talk to your dealer about the accessories you will need and the cleaning procedures. You may want a hot tub cover to keep the outside debris from getting in. There are many cover lifts on the market if you find they are too unwieldy for you. Look for a highly insulated model as it will save on energy costs. Hot tubs are smart because you can program them to automatically heat up and turn on or off without having to move a muscle. Check with the manufacturer if the model you want can be accessed via the internet. This is especially nice if you are gone and you live in a winter climate. A lot of damage can be done if the temperature gets too cold and the tub freezes. If you have one in a vacation home that you only visit once a week it would be nice to remotely check in on it. Ask if you can have the capability for a remote control. Some settings can be confusing so look for a system that makes sense to you and doesn't look like an airplane cockpit. You deserve the benefits of owning a hot tub, so go step out into the water, it's just right.Beverly Hlavka is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying hot tubs, whirlpools, Jacuzzis, saunas, pool supplies and more. Her many articles can be seen at http://www.sauna-4u.com. She also gives information and tips on http://www.sauna-4u.com/hot_tubs.htm to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.