Posted in Garden Ideas, Bird Baths |
Decorating my yard for wildlife..
May 9th, 2006
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One of the best things about living in the country is all the “wildlife” that I share my spaces with. This week, while trimming out the yard, I came upon a baby bunny - I mean a REALLY young one. It was so small, it could fit completely in the palm of my hand. It was so young that it wasn’t even afraid of me.
I petted it, and then picked it up. It just nestled in and started sleeping. It was hard to remember that this was a “wild” animal. Later in the day, I came upon another baby rabbit, obviously from the same litter, and very close in proximity to where I found the first one. This one was even smaller, yet much more skittish. It did not want me to touch it, so I didn’t.
These weren’t the only wildlife relationships I have been trying to forge. The gardens are planted with flowers that attract both
butterflies and
hummingbirds. The hummingbirds have arrived - the first of May. (Oh, and click on any of the pictures here to get a better view.)
To my surprise, Baltimore Orioles are feeding out of the hummingbird feeder. I put up an Oriole feeder with fresh sections of oranges but they very much prefer the hummingbird feeder. Baby birds have started to appear, and a few have fallen out of nests. Time to think about birdbaths - I like the ones I found at Bird Bath and Beyond – A unique collection of bird baths, feeders, bird houses and backyard products, low prices and fast delivery.
One of the biggest surprise finds have been the racoon twins that raided the bird feeders at 
about 2 in the morning. There was no sight of Mama (Mama coons usually at least make SOUNDS, but I heard nothing), but these guys were just as interested in me as I was in them.
What does all this have to do with frugal decorating? Well, I get as much joy from decorating my outside spaces as much as I do my inside ones. Here’s what it would take for critters like this to pay you a visit:
* Butterflies like fruit and flowers. Packs of seeds here start at a dime a pack. I buy them every year. There is no lack of quality just because they are so inexpensive.
* Hummingbird “syrup” is really inexpensive. One quarter cup of sugar and water to make a cup and you’re good for a week at this time of year. The orioles will like it, too.
* Speaking of birds, the suet cakes here are two for a dollar. I tried making them but could not make them that inexpensively. THIS is what the raccoons liked as well.
You’ll read more about frugal outdoor decorating in this blog as the year progesses. I do indeed love my brief contact with wildlife - even the snake that I shooed out of the yard prior to the lawn getting mowed. I made sure he wasn’t the kind that would eat those bunnies!
Your Frugal Decorating Diva,
Nancy
Daniel on 22 Sep 2007 at 6:31 pm: 1
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article By Design : Decorating my yard for wildlife.., but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
marlboro on 1 Oct 2007 at 7:28 pm: 2
Very nice this blog =)