Toad Love and Other Thoughts
Beau April 22nd, 2007
Another day to spend outside… it was warm! Since I’ve been cutting logs and chipping branches, I have walked the property many times. Today I was greeted by the site of two American Toads (Bufo americanus americanus) completing beginning their spring mating rituals. In the evening we can hear the musical trill of the toads around the pond and woodlands.
One of the strangest things I’ve seen is this vine growing out of a Redbud tree. The tree’s branch broke during the winter ice storm and I have been cutting it up. But this vine isn’t a friendly sort… it’s a poison ivy vine! I’ve been trying to control the poison ivy and I never realized a vine could grow inside another tree! Obviously the tree just grew around it… crazy!
The “old man” cutting trees on the dam.
But the dam looks great with the grass growing on it… a little more brush cutting this year and it will be in good shape.
For all the extra brush and branches, we use a pto-driven chipper- it really helps clean up the “little stuff”. Today was spent chipping most of the remaining branches around the property, and this afternoon I even had help from the ‘youngun!
One of my favorite signs of Spring… the Mayapple’s rise out of the ground with their umbrella-like leaves. They usually have a single white flower that becomes a small “fruit”.
Wood Sorrel, or Oxalis, is a common flower in Spring also- and the reddish “clover” leaves are attractive. These are even edible, and give a tangy, sour taste.
A long day, but a lot accomplished. I keep hoping the trees will “bloom” a little faster with their leaves. The top of the Oak trees are still brownish from the late freeze… we would have lots of shade by now, but it still looks like winter with most of the trees trying to regrow their buds. Slowly but surely. Oh- and yes, I’m the “old man”…
