Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
A Helicopter Ride and Aerial Pics of the Homeplace
We were fortunate to take a free helicopter ride today thanks to Crop Max's community appreciation day. It's nice to have that bird's eye view of the homeplace. Hmmm...I can see that everything is very green... I must plant more flowers! And maybe a few red trees, such as some red leafed plums or cherries, maybe a red or scarlet maple, or?
Compare these shots to the 1960's photo which we have hanging in the dining room. The grandparents were living here then. There have been a few changes, but nothing too drastic.
I hope we have another chance to take some more aerial photos in a year or two. We'll see how many of our big plans come into fruition.
Compare these shots to the 1960's photo which we have hanging in the dining room. The grandparents were living here then. There have been a few changes, but nothing too drastic.
I hope we have another chance to take some more aerial photos in a year or two. We'll see how many of our big plans come into fruition.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Jenny Wrens
I have enjoyed making my own bird boxes. One cheerful little bird that is easy to please is the 'Jenny' Wren or House Wren. I guess 'Jenny' Wren is not really an accepted common name to the purists, but it is commonly used around here to describe the House Wren and the name is much more pleasing to my ears! Speaking of what is pleasing to the ears; have you ever been enchanted by the serenade of a 'Jenny' Wren?
Go here to listen.
A couple of the houses that I have made are from lumber from an old dead pine tree that DH felled in our yard. He cut the tree into lumber and then helped me on the table saw. Actually I watched as I am afraid of the table saw! All I need for this house is 1x6 lumber, an empty tomato juice can, and some screws and a few brass nails. The original plans are from a birdbox book that I have, but I have made my own modifications. The rounded top is mine, as is the tomato can roof. I also had to make the entry hole smaller. The book called for 1 1/8 inch diameter entry hole. I found that this is so large that it allows the EVIL exotic English House Sparrows to enter and destroy! 15/16ths works well for me. One person even told me that they have gone to 3/4ths. To make the entry hole, the easiest way for me (and most satisfactory) is to use my scroll saw. The book suggests using a forstner bit, but this does not make a nice smooth hole in the pine. I also use the scroll saw to make the rounded top. One side of the house is an inspection door. Two nails at the top are used as a hinge and I used a cable tack(?) as a latch.
On this one I have used decorative rosettes for the sides.
We removed these from the interior of an old house that was scheduled to be burned.
'Jenny' Wren eggs. The babies are so tiny when they are first hatched! When I open the door to inspect them, they all pop their naked little heads up with mouths wide open! I wish I had a picture. I will try to take some next year.
Go here to listen.
A couple of the houses that I have made are from lumber from an old dead pine tree that DH felled in our yard. He cut the tree into lumber and then helped me on the table saw. Actually I watched as I am afraid of the table saw! All I need for this house is 1x6 lumber, an empty tomato juice can, and some screws and a few brass nails. The original plans are from a birdbox book that I have, but I have made my own modifications. The rounded top is mine, as is the tomato can roof. I also had to make the entry hole smaller. The book called for 1 1/8 inch diameter entry hole. I found that this is so large that it allows the EVIL exotic English House Sparrows to enter and destroy! 15/16ths works well for me. One person even told me that they have gone to 3/4ths. To make the entry hole, the easiest way for me (and most satisfactory) is to use my scroll saw. The book suggests using a forstner bit, but this does not make a nice smooth hole in the pine. I also use the scroll saw to make the rounded top. One side of the house is an inspection door. Two nails at the top are used as a hinge and I used a cable tack(?) as a latch.
On this one I have used decorative rosettes for the sides.
We removed these from the interior of an old house that was scheduled to be burned.
'Jenny' Wren eggs. The babies are so tiny when they are first hatched! When I open the door to inspect them, they all pop their naked little heads up with mouths wide open! I wish I had a picture. I will try to take some next year.
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