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Midwest Gardening: Snow, Critters, and Squirrels
In February Chicagoland has been covered in multiple heavy snows. Seems we never go a day without at least a dusting. Temperatures have been frigid.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
I took these photos after the first BIG snow. It's been a few years since we have had sustained cold. We sure have been getting our exercise.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
I've been worried at not seeing any bunnies. After the snow stopped and we were clearing our driveway...I could see LOTS of tracks from the night before. Plenty of bunnies. We have a heavy coyote population about 8 blocks east of here, 12 coyotes spotted at a time. So, it's nice to know they have ventured near us.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
We have have had two other large storms since these photos. The winds were fierce and from the NEast. some of this is from the blower, but the light pole in the back right, is covered also!
Luckily the snow compacts a bit, but getting into the yard is an issue for some of us, but not the Critters.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Our entire yard is covered with tracks of bunnies, raccoons, tons of squirrels and who knows what else.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
This was after the first big snowfall, and not so bad, but this is after 3 hours of shoveling and lots of sun.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Anyone who follows my Midwest Gardening posts, will recognize this is the pond and my fishing boy and girl! No blower or sun back here either, it was too deep.
It's quite the slog to the composter now...with eighteen plus inches on the ground and frozen.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
We took a quick ride the next day---into our favorite Forest Preserve, Lakewood. The roads and some trails were clear...Look at this mini-tractor they use! Wish we had that! This is about 6 miles north of our home...they got way LESS snow!
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| oldnewgreenredo |
An old stand of Oaks throw some gorgeous long shadows on a bright day.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Pristine and untouched....
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Back home it's the Squirrel wars. We have six in our immediate trees. The bird feeders have been squirrel proofed, unless we get another foot of snow. Then, I think they will be able to jump up to the feeders.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Hubby throws them some seed and peanuts...to keep them away from the feeders.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
The furniture is for climbing on, and visiting! This is why I cover my furniture in the winter.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
A thrift store quilt...makes them feel right at home.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
More Peanuts Please!
Update: 2/22/21 an additional 14 inches has fallen since these photos were taken???
How are your snowfalls sticking?
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Please do not use my photos without a link back to this blog without my permission.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Sandi
Sandi
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Hi Sandi! We are into some cold weather right now but it is not as cold as we have had in years past. We have had two storms in the past week but neither one of them caused any harm so I'm not going to complain.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention the squirrels! We haven't had any trouble with them since our son got us a squirrel baffle last summer. But the other day, one must have jumped from the snow into the cage because he was having a great feast. Hubby had to put the run to him because they literally take over the bird feeders and won't allow the little birds near it. Hubby shovelled a path and around the feeders so the squirrels can't jump in. I also checked out your previous post and I am loving your finds. The blue plates are gorgeous and how pretty they would be on a table for dinner. I do love transfer ware in any colour but I'm especially fond of the red! I haven't been thrifting for a number of years now. But then the Island is very small and there are not the shops here that you would find in a bigger location. I sure enjoyed seeing yours.
Thanks so much for the visit. We put a large heating round duct pipe on our pole to the feeders when we built it. Then there is a big floating cone disk at the top that tips That has kept them off the main feeder, which is why all our feeders are together. We have one 'squirrel proof' weighted feeder that closes if they are on it by the porch. We had six on the porch today hawking for peanuts. And, always good luck on the red-ware. I know when I find some I buy it and put it in my etsy shop---so pretty, just can't keep everything and so many others love it! Hugs, thanks for visiting, Sandi
DeleteWow!Lots of snow...Keep warm,my friend!Hugs!
ReplyDeleteLOL...something you don't have to deal with, HUGS back! Sandi
DeleteHere in the middle of the mitten it is SO cold! Today was sunny, which at least made it all look pretty -- and because it's been so cold the snow is still looking quite pristine. I don't think I have as much snow as you do. And yet to see a bunny, though I'm always looking. That quilt is really lovely. Part of me loves seeing it out there and part of me is going, "oh, no!" (I collect vintage quilts!) Cute squirrel. I love them!
ReplyDeleteAwww Jeanie, it is pretty, but after three 6+ inch snow falls, enough is enough. We had another dusting last night and a few inches forecast for tonight/tomorrow. The quilt was a mass produced quilt, already faded and bought specifically for that purpose, $4.00. Couldn't pass it up! Hugs, and thanks for stopping by! Sandi
DeleteOh goodness, snow is so beautiful, but a challenge to deal with! We rarely get snow in Alabama, but I have more than my share of squirrels because our house backs up to woods. The other day I found one outside my front door digging up the dirt around a potted tree, and he just stared at me like I was bothering him! He made a huge mess! I hope Spring comes your way early this year~
ReplyDeleteLOL. MY BF is an animal psychologist...and she says their little brains have no idea where they have buried anything...so they dig up everything looking for 'treasures'. Rocks help---on dirt..and looks nice too. We always had to do that bbecause of our cats... in our houseplants. Thanks for stopping by, and I really hope you Don't get that crazy belt of snow this weekend! Weather has been 'trying' to say the least for many this year. Hugs, Sandi
DeleteNow I know where you are located I'm in central Missouri and we really got snow several different times also and more forecasted for tomorrow. I feed the squirrels that come around my yards also. I also throw out sunflower seeds and have a heated bird bath. Which I see birds and squirrels getting drinks out of.
ReplyDeleteOh, hugs, us Midwesterners have to stick together. I really feel for the middle of the country---you have been blasted more times than we...and are ill equipped to deal with it. At least here we have huge salt piles and an army of plows. Hugs, thanks for stopping by! Sandi
DeleteSandi, you really are covered with the white stuff. I can't say that I would like that much, but it isn't fair that you guys get all the fun! We have only had one snow fall and it was gone the next day. Guess that would be fun for you! Love the little critters. They always amuse me and I am so glad to see that yours have nice warm quilts for days like this..Stay well..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteHi, Judy. Honestly the city proper got another 10" more than we did, some were buried with 21" from the lake effect on top of what they already had. I shoveled to the birdfeeders and filled them up yesterday...but dang, no need for doing the bike for the last three weeks, LOL. Hugs, Sandi
DeleteI heartily thank you for your visit, Dearest Sandi, to find back affectionate friends after so much time is truly touching!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for such a lovely post too, the squirrel you've catched in your shots is truly amazing!
Sending blessinga and hugs across the Ocean
Dany at 'My little old world'
Honestly, I had just been thinking about you last week. Sigh, thank you and so glad you finished your book---good luck! Sandi
DeleteWhen it comes to snow, most Brits are amateurs. We muddle through. Scary stories about oldsters starving to death are forgotten overnight when the sun comes out and people start reading travel brochures.
ReplyDeleteIt became obvious during our six years in Pennsylvania that "muddling through" with snow wouldn't do. One needed to prepare and make investments. At our last house we had a concrete driveway angled at close to 45 deg (one in one if you prefer that system). A slight twitch in the steering - going up or down - and one could slide off the side of this great slice of cheese. Devastating the car's fiddly bits.
I always intended to get one of those cheap-looking shovels with a blade that looked as if it were made out of Saran Wrap. A bigger load for every dig. But, ever-parsimonious, I made do with a garden spade, whispering to myself "Next time, next time". In retrospect this probably proved to be the right decision. Yeah, a bigger load, but it weighed more. A bigger heart strain.
Back in the UK I took up ski-ing, a sport that is notorious for wasteful expenditure. Stuff you only use for two weeks in the year. But at least the hideously expensive anorak and the après-ski boots got another work-out when the white stuff announced God's blessing on Earth.
Reckon I'd be dead now if I'd chosen the Mid-West. Opening up another can of worms - the ridiculous cost of US funerals. But that'll keep until Spring.
Oh, I always laugh so hard at your responses...and yikes we received an additional 14" at that point pictures are just retaining bad memories. WE are actually melting some now---which clears paths/walkways/driveways. And, Skiing---we did that a bit, but in the Midwest it's always hit and miss for decent conditions. Cross-country---was another experience, just a new way to get to a bar in Wisconsin...and way too much work! Thanks for stopping by, Sandi
DeleteLovely snowy photos! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm
ReplyDeleteWell, it's melting a bit now---thanks for visiting! Sandi
DeleteBrrr, that does look cold. It's hard to believe that Spring is just around the corner
ReplyDeleteIt finally almost all melted....! thanks for stopping by! Sandi
DeleteLove this post, Sandi! It never snows in Florida so I'm always excited when others share their snow posts. I'm sure it's a beast to deal with all winter but it always looks so peaceful and calming. I love that you leave the blankets out for the squirrels to climb on. They' look tickled pink to get some extra love this season. Hugs, CoCo
ReplyDeleteWe had so much, it is finally almost all gone...still little frozen patches here and there. Thanks for visiting. Sandi
DeleteEven though all the snow has melted across the street from me, i still have several inches of snow in my yard as we will not get the Sun in the front of our house until April....My neighbor still throws out bags of peanuts for the squirrels so they are still wrecking havoc on my yard trying to bury them in all my posts which are frozen....I am sure they will be destroying all my flowers like they did last year....
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
Hi, Debbie. Yes, the snow is stubborn this year. Hubby had to hack at the northside to get it off the stairs. We had to shovel our roof this year, which is rare, but 2 feet was too much to leave on it. We leave all the leaves and plant matter on our flower beds which helps with keeping everything warm. Hugs, that does help, thanks for visiting! Sandi
DeleteLucky you, that's tons of snow! Here in Maryland we got only a few inches every now and then. I kept on waiting for that big storm, because I had gotten a brand new snow blower. Guess what, I couldn't used it! Well, hopefully next year.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cristina. Wouldn't it be great if we could trade bits of weather. Right now we are quite dry...despite all that snow. The bulbs won't come up...! Hugs, and you will eventually need that snowblower! Sandi
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