by Judy Appel | Dec 5, 2023 | Uncategorized
Wood Storks have fascinated me since my first visit to the Lowcountry of South Carolina. This feeding Wood Stork I call “The Bird With A Dirty Face” let my daughter and I watch and photograph from landing to foraging a few days ago. Wood Storks nest within a tree based colony but prefer to eat alone. Interestingly the ecological partner to the Wood Stork is the alligator! Alligators keep the water open around the colony’s nesting tree and guard the birds from human interference.
In turn of course the guarding alligator is occasionally treated to a young Wood Stork chick appetizer. Click on this Gillespie Creek Website’s “Newsletter” menu entry to read more details on this endangered avian treasure.
by Judy Appel | Aug 5, 2023 | Uncategorized
This week my two favorite species of butterflies have joined the ever-present iconic Monarch species to bring stunning decorations to the meadow landscapes.
Yes, the White Admiral and the Giant Swallowtail
Butterflies have always fascinated me. This poem perhaps will send you into the dreamy place that restores my soul.
One Day Butterfly
Aren’t we all one-day butterflies,
not aware of time.
Searching for partners or honey
until Death kisses us.
Then in his arms, tenderly rocked,
waiting for a new chance
to fly away again
and join the dance
of the one-day butterfly
Check out this week’s Gillespie Creek Journal using this website Menu for more butterfly photos by JA, poems and sayings to sooth your soul.
by Judy Appel | Jun 23, 2022 | Uncategorized
This National Geographic Photo dramatically shows what is going on in tall grass meadows where a pond, stream or marsh keeps the ecosystem moist and undisturbed. Fireflies “Lightning Bugs” are actually beetles on the hunt for love. Check out the “Newsletter” button on this website for more details, posted 6-23-22.
by Judy Appel | Jun 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
June is busting out all over in West-central Wisconsin. The Wild Plum trees are blooming as are wild flowers. Red-eyed Vireos are singing their famous song ” Here I am, where are you?” Click on the Newsletter button on my website to enjoy all of the excitement of spring at Gillespie Cree,.
by Judy Appel | May 14, 2022 | Uncategorized
“What we must do, I suppose is to hope the world keeps its balance.” This excerpt from Mary Oliver’s poem “The Owl Who Comes” provided an invitation to my followers. In turn several living across the U.S. responded with photos and stories about their favorite resident backyard bird species.
This stunning picture of a Western Tanager came from Retta from Washougal, Washington. Although named to belong to the Tanager family, recently it has become recognized to fit better within the Cardinal family.
The Western Tanager is the dried fruit clean-up specialist.
Click on the “Newsletter” menu button of my website to find photos and details on the Goldfinch, Robin, Blue-ray Gnatcatcher, Great White Heron and a Whip-tailed Lizard. All are important members of Nature’s precision “Balancing” brigade, East to West coast America.
by Judy | Apr 29, 2022 | Uncategorized
These past days I’ve been on a hunt for neighborhood habitats that are welcoming pollinators. I have found several. Of course complete and functional natural habitats not only benefit pollinators but human inhabitants as well.
Below you will find recipes for delicious pollinator connection foods and garnishes.
Paloverde Flowers attract bees. The bright yellow flowers are delicate and mildly sweet. As soon as possible after opening the flowers can be used fresh, cooked or as a garnish on salads or soups.
Try this Paloverde Flower Pudding Recipe
3 cups clean paloverde flowers
1/2 C water
1/2 C sugar
2 C milk
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 Lightly beaten egg yolks or 1 well-beaten egg
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 Teaspoon salt
Simmer paloverde flowers in water until tender, approximately 10 minutes. Drain well and measure liquid. Add milk to make 1 cup. Puree blossoms in blender. In saucepan blend sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add milk and blossoms and cook while stirring over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Cook 2 minutes more, and remove from heat. Stir small amount of hot mixture into beaten egg. Return to hot mixture and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat, and add butter. Chill in dessert cups. Garnish with fresh paloverde blossoms .
Paloverde Pancakes
Add 1 cup of fresh paloverde flowers to yips favorite pancake mix.
(Recipe by Arizona Highways “Desert Wildflowers” )
Saguaro trees are just beginning to bloom. Check our Cactus Hotel, a children’s book favorite with your grandchildren to thoroughly appreciate the importance of Saguaros, Arizona’s state flower, to the natural life of this state.
Arizona Highway’s “Desert Wildflowers” magazine also offers this recipe for
Saguaro Seed Dressing
1/2 C mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons honey
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon Saguaro seeds
Mix all ingredients together and toss with your Arizona citrus salad.
For more photos, recipes and to plan and build your own successful “Pollinator Garden” check out millionpollinatorgardens.org. and Arizona Highways publication “Desert Wildflowers.”
