Monday 8/31 – 6:55 pm-7:17pm
I’m starting this journal for my writing class. I am to observe the same spot day after day. I’ve chosen our backyard. I don’t spend enough time here anyway. Scooter’s accompanying me this evening. It’s unseasonably cool- probably mid-70s now, and with the deck in the shade it even feels chilly. I only have two feeders out right now – thistle and hummingbird – at least until fall migration begins. The south side of our fence is overgrown with trumpet creeper, and the hummingbird feeder is on a shepherd’s pole nestled among the vine. The north fence Rod planted squash and sunflowers alongside of. I think the squash has stopped producing for the year. Many of the sunflowers are still in bloom. Three days ago they were laden with American Goldfinch, but now, with the exception of one that just flew over, they’re nowhere to be found. A Blue Jay is calling incessantly overhead, and a cicada just flew by. I watched a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird feed uncontested from the feeder. She then flew up to perch on the power line – moved approximately 18 inches over – moved about 18 inches over again… ah, I think she found her spot. I can only surmise the warm sunshine felt good, as the first two perches were shady. A Grey Catbird flew down and hopped around in the smilax vine behind the sunflowers, but must have sneaked out the back – I don’t see it anymore. The sounds of nature are shattered by a train whistle. Ah! The hummer is back and has brought a friend – two females. Funny – one drinks from the feeder while the other sits patiently in the trumpet creeper. Whenever I see two together they’re usually vying for a monopoly of the feeder. The feeder bird left, and the other sat for 1.5 – 2 minutes more before taking its spot at the feeder. It’s too bad we have only one species, when they regularly get up to 14 in (ah, she just flew off) areas of the southwest we just visited. The breeze is chilly! I think I’ll call it good for my first journal entry. Until tomorrow!
Tuesday 9/1/09 – 9:10pm-9:27pm
I’m supposed to spend a night journaling in my spot, so here I am. Mostly just because it’s the first chance I’ve had to get out here! The night is filled with the sounds of insects. Wish I could identify them all: a constant buzz – background noise. Once that chimes in fours, very consistently. A lone insect calling – chirping – sporadically from the crown of a nearby tree. One occasionally pipes in that sounds like two marbles clicking together (of course, that’s how I describe cricket frogs too!). Now, in the background noise, I detect a “humm” separate from the “buzz”. I also hear what I’m pretty sure is a species of cricket. Wow, what diversity! It’s crisp and chilly. The moon overhead is almost full – a little squished on the upper right side yet. I believe it to be waxing – this is good for my observation skills! Had I been out last night I’d know! Some small insects are flying around the porch light. Neighborhood dogs are barking in the distance. Scooter has joined me again tonight – Haley has no interest. There is a gentle breeze – all the chillier for me! The stars are scarce – cloudy night, or overpowered by the lights of Fayetteville? I do not know. I suppose I should be thankful for the light, despite their pollution. Michael sent me a satellite photo link of completely blackened N Korea (except for the capital city and Kim Jong Il’s home) surrounded by the illuminated S Korea and China, where the people are forced to live without power. It’s peaceful out here – I should take this time more often. Next time I’ll bring a jacket – in August? I know, crazy!
Thursday 9/3 – 5:43 pm-6:10pm
It is overcast today and the temperature is very pleasant. The multiple hues of green from the surrounding trees stand in stark contrast to the grey sky. A cardinal is repeatedly fluttering above the neighbors’ fence, just into my view, then down again – I wonder what she’s doing? A bee (sp?) is feeding from the trumpet creeper. I wish I knew my plants and insects better (yet never take the time to learn!). I hear flowing water, that’s a new sound – wonder if our neighbors installed a water feature? Would have to climb over the privacy fence to see, and not in the mood. Female hummer is back, and twittering from a trumpet creeper vine. She left without feeding. The thistle feeder is empty. Quite bird-wise today. I can still see remnants from the ice storm. The trees will likely show the wear and tear for years to come. Ah, the hummer is perching on the wire. No sun to bask in today. Now she feeds. A Carolina Chickadee is flitting between the Sycamore and the pine. A second joined her. And now descend the House Sparrows. On that note, I’ll head inside.
