Lightning Strikes

On May 8th, violent thunderstorms with hail and lightning rolled 

through our area and left their mark.

As I was pulling in, I noticed a strange bright line down the trunk of an old dead tree in the side yard.

At closer view, it was clear that the tree had been hit by a lightning bolt, that broke a major branch and stripped the tree of bark, as the bolt traveled down the trunk into the ground. 

After surveying the area more carefully, I could see another tree nearby had also been hit by the same bolt or another. Bark was missing, too, in a stripe down the tree and bark was 

blown off on several limbs. 

On the tree in the foreground here, charred bark is clearly visible and in the background is the other tree that had been hit, which is over 8 feet away.

 Here is another angle. 

Here is an image from wikipedia that shows what this event would have looked like in real time: 

Here is an interesting article to read to consider how to care for a tree after being hit by lightning: 

http://essmextension.tamu.edu/treecarekit/index.php/after-the-storm/tree-damage-and-hazard-assessment/understanding-lightning-and-associated-tree-damage/

Per the article, the second tree hit has damage on several sides and may by severely damaged internally. We will have to watch for wilt and other telling signs. 

March Madness

During the March 8th snowstorm,

little over a year later, (see Feb 9, 2012 entry)

rather than Cedar Waxwings hunkering down in the Green Hawthorne, 

there were 8 Mourning Doves taking shelter.

After the storm, the following weekend, temperatures climbed into the 50s 

making it a great time to check in on our hives. 

We had lost 1 of the 3 hives to 4 large mice, 

and sadly they moved on over to the next hive. 

Here is one escaping! The frames were destroyed and were discarded.

Clearly, the blue tape was not strong enough to keep the mice guard in place and 

successfully keep the mice out. 

Our final hive though is doing great. The queen is laying and they have plenty of honey to hopefully make it through the tricky month of March.

After the Storm

On February 9-10th, a snow storm left about 5 inches and carved and blasted with its strong winds interesting snow patterns.

A fox left a trail looking as determined and with purpose as he always looks when I catch a glance of him as he passes through. Clearly, with the circling around several times, a mouse or vole was heard but not found.

The boreal pond has also had water in it all winter and here are some freeze patterns to enjoy.

In the woods, I disturb a Red tailed Hawk, who soars overhead, 

leaving his post near his yearly nesting site. 

The hawk is in the upper left corner and his nest is in the lower right corner.

The snow highlights the toppled trees brought down by the roaring winds of Hurricane Sandy.

We have had few winter snows this year, one at the end of January, this one in early February and now one today, March 8th, all with minimal impact or snowfall totals in Bucks County. We have missed all the greater impacts of these Northeaster storms that have hit New England and the Mid-Atlantic states hard with storm surges and sometimes record breaking snowfalls.

Hidden Treasure Found

After 3 trips for bows to decorate the fence, finally I was at the end on this cold, wet, foggy morning.

What to find, but a beautifully constructed robin's nest, which had been hidden all summer by the surrounding woody vines -

Beyond the fence, it is delightful to see in bloom on this dreary day, Purple Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma)

Around the corner, I re-discovered the old bird house in need of repair or replacement, which the blue birds used all summer

and above appeared suddenly in the thick fog, geese in formation, preceded by their calls -

Red-tailed Hawk Action

We have had a very active Red-tailed Hawk pair 

for several years and here is a moment captured where it is racing down 

to capture a mouse or vole. 

Liftoff after a tasty and successful meal - 

Hot, and Dry bring Horseflies!

The horseflies this year have been notably numerous, 

perhaps because of the mild winter and hot and dry conditions. 

I see them everywhere - in limbs of trees, 

hanging on the window grooming,

or buzzing at my head when swimming and aiming to take a chunk out of my arm.

The females of these true flies can inflict a rather painful and quick bite with their razor sharp mandibles and are in need of a blood meal in order to reproduce. 

On a more positive note, 

they are also play a role in pollination as they also feed on nectar and pollen. 

Breakfast with a Heron

Out of the corner of my eye, 

there was a flurry of movement

and I turned just in time to see

 a Great Blue Heron 

descend gently into the back yard. 

The blue ball in the pool must have captured his attention. 

He stayed for a few minutes to investigate. 

My dashing for the photo probably scared him away.