Random Shots - Eve of Another Year -

Dark and Light Study in Spring...
Red-Tailed Hawk ...Orange Belly Cat...
Daffodil Bows...I like this shot because it is quite true in its suggestion that the flowers are looking downward. Below, Wild Lupine...
Borage Against a Bright Sky...Below Best Green Award goes to CHARD...Chard is soooo easy to grow. It reseeds itself, and is a dependable highly nutritious green for the homestead. Plant some anytime.
It is nearly the eve of another year for this homesteader. So many seasons I have enjoyed, I'll be blessed to enjoy so many more... Catching light all the way...

The days have been cool, and at last, we had a little, barely measurable amount of rain. I got the last of the bare root trees in the ground; a hazelnut/filbert which I learned I need a pollinator for; another Illinois Mulberry; and two peach trees, planted in a giant hole, side by side. This is a new space saving technique I'm trying out, which will conserve water and time as well. The trees are placed about 2-4 feet apart in a giant 6-8 foot hole. They are pruned apart from one another to create a open center. Also, with peaches you gotta remember, they can be sickly little buggers, but so worth the struggle and hassle when they do it ! So if one dies, or gets terribly weak, I'll have a back up. I've learned to be absolutely not attached to any fruit trees I plant. It really is a crap shoot and any number of calamities could befall them. I just figure the ones that make it, and do well, are the ones that belong here. And if a tree dies, or is severely weakened for some reason, I see the value in the planting space, and boot it out in favor of a young live tree. In chosing your trees, remember, a 1 year old whip will outperform the 2-3 year old stock. In light of how awesome a new tree can do, it makes little sense to nurse the poor performers. But I will confess to harboring a few of them...I have a couple of plum trees that are not looking good, since last year - w/poor new growth and spindly overall appearance. The vole/mole/rodent freaks that dwell beneath the earth here seem to love the plum, fig and rose roots. A lot. Luckily, they seem to be leaving the cherry, apple and pear trees pretty much alone. I have to mention that I have also seen trees severely damaged in various ways, come back with amazing vigor, and go on to perform as well as any. So, I guess we'll just have to see...more later, when i'm 40...;} Candles compliments of a0k1 at flickr.ADDENDUM: Team HumDog has a new Video! Check it out HERE!