Eastern Garter Snake – The Iris and the Lily

Visitors to the Gardens

Certified Wildlife Habitat, Four-season garden, Gardens of Valley View, Lehigh Valley, Nature, Pennsylvania Wildlife

As much as I love the flora of a garden, the fauna is why I plant. The creatures of Gaia’s world are welcomed, no, encouraged to jump the garden-gate and enjoy the fruits of labor. Some I have planted, some they have shared. If I find there is something they like that I also cherish, I have learned to give it up and plant something we can both enjoy.

Each month someone new emerges or enters. The diversity of color, shape and purpose is mesmerizing.

JANUARY 2018 Mourning doves on Staghorn sumac — JANUARY 2018 doves on Staghorn sumac

FEBRUARY 21, 2018 Entwined garter snakes

MARCH 22, 2018 Male cardinal on Norway pine

MAY 21, 2018 Female Baltimore Oriole in Honeysuckle bush

Male Baltimore Oriole on sumac June 4, 2018

AUGUST 7, 2018 Black swallowtail butterfly

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018 Blinded Sphinx moth caterpillar

SEPTEMBER 2018 Red-bellied woodpecker on sumac

OCTOBER 23, 2018 Garter snake in lower gardens

OCTOBER 23, 2018 Wolf spider on fallen tree

NOVEMBER 1, 2018 Wild turkey in oak tree

DECEMBER 19, 2018 Bluebird and Downy woodpecker on sumac

The Garden by the Woods

Eastern Garter Snake, Four-season garden, Frogs, Helleborus, Nature

There are no fences

Life is not contained and moves freely from wood to garden and back again

Seed pods explode – plants propagate

A welcoming place, a happy space

Resolution

Art, Nature, Photography, Poetry

RESOLution – resolve “firm determination to do something”

reSOLUTION – solution “the act of solving or explaining a problem”

I’ve never been one to make a resolution. I’ve always believed if one wants to change an aspect of their life you do it whatever day or time it is. Something I resolved to do on a long past day and time was to appreciate the world around me.

Those I love

Our oldest daughter’s wedding officiated by her father. Our younger daughter was matron of honor.

And the those I fear

The smallest of creatures

Pennsylvania native bee on Echinacea flower

The tallest of buildings

Each day presents me with a gift

I only need a moment of time to find it

a series of photographs of ice crystals on the stream behind our home

A magical find

January 1st, 2018

Not For the Faint of Heart – Creatures of Valley View Who Share the Garden Space

Certified Wildlife Habitat, Frogs, Nature, Photography, Snakes, Spiders

There is a beauty and tranquility that gardeners aspire to create in their garden spaces.

What we sometimes seem to forget is that before we began to move’ dig or change the landscape there were creatures who inhabited the space before us.

In order to create a space rich in energy and in balance with our Mother,

We must honor those who live near and beneath our feet.

I have come to understand these creatures and do not seek to harm them in any way.

First and foremost it’s important to know these amazing reptiles, amphibians and insects are not poisonous, they do not seek me out to harm me.

Instead we have a symbiotic relationship.

I create garden spaces and they take care of things that seek to harm it.

For those who garden in areas where creatures live that may do the gardener harm, care is of utmost importance. But if like myself you are fortunate to live in an area free of harm, enjoy and honor those who share your garden space!