Author Archives: Randy Tindall

Looking Ahead: Plant Your Peas

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Randy Tindall

I know it’s unseasonal, but it’s way past time to start catching up on our Native Plants pages.  The latest entry is here.  It’s in our yard.  It should be in yours!

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A Miracle of Monarchs

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Randy Tindall

We have seen very few Monarch butterflies in our backyard for the last two years, but that doesn’t mean they are not there.  Caterpillars are showing up on our milkweeds, so it seems that they must be making whoopee somewhere, … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Native Plants, Photography, Seasons, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Swallowtail Odyssey: Life among the Spicebushes

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Randy Tindall

It’s Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) time in our backyard, which is good for us curious yard-watchers, but a bit hard on our spicebushes (Lindera benzoin).  We’re watching the little ones grow up and they do it fast!  Now, I am … Continue reading →

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Unnatural Selection: Cardinals, Cowbirds and the Mob

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Randy Tindall

There seems to be something attractive about plant stands near our front and back doors.  So far, we have tried to assist in three attempts by Carolina Wrens to use them as nesting sites, which makes getting in and out … Continue reading →

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Pests and Parasites

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Randy Tindall

A very effective agent of biological pest control, this tiny wasp in our backyard is preparing to lay an egg on (or in) the little green aphid.. When the egg hatches, it will live inside the aphid, munching happily away, … Continue reading →

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The Return of the Stinker

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Randy Tindall

Hard to believe but stuff’s coming up!  Not just the ubiquitous daffodils that pop up just in time to tease us about a yet-distant spring, but other stuff.  Like Wild Leeks.  Yeah, smelly old Allium tricoccum. What is this plant … Continue reading →

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Winter Rations

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Randy Tindall

I’ve often thought of our Sweet Gum tree as more of a Bitter-Sweet Gum tree, mainly when I rake up piles of the spiky little balls it sheds with great joy and abandon.  I think I am not alone in … Continue reading →

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To All Things a Season

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Randy Tindall

He was a husband, father, grandfather, friend to many, veteran and farmer, like his father before him.  He loved the land and the work and the trappings of farming, and he loved his family. Dad liked his nature tidy and … Continue reading →

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Galls Galore

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Randy Tindall

Besides having some spectacular fall colors this year, another thing our drought didn’t seem to hurt was the prevalence of oak leaf galls.  I’m not sure why, but we seemed to have a bumper crop of them this year.

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Fall Medley #1

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Randy Tindall
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