Last year
we replaced to platforms for our rain barrels with concrete blocks. This weekend we saw that these block
pedestals are being used by the wildlife in our back yard. This is a photo of a broad-headed
skink (Plestiodon
laticeps) that was sunbathing on the block.
This guy was surprisingly docile and allowed me to come pretty close for
this picture. Skinks are a group of
lizards; we have at least two different types in our back yard.
We really try to be wildlife sensitive in our
yard. I can’t remember the last time we
fertilized our lawn; and it shows. I
think we have more weeds and diversity in our lawn than most people have in
their entire garden. You should have
seen the buttercups this spring. We also
collect all the sticks in our yard and created a large stick pile. This winter there were literally dozens of
birds flying in and out of the pile; this spring it has a family of rabbits
living in it. It creates great cover
from predators such as hawks (and yes we have hawks feeding on birds … guess
that is nature). From our back deck
we've seen the occasional raccoon, possum, fox and even a coyote. We try to
grow mostly native plants in the back yard; plants that provide, food and
shelter to wildlife.
As I
mentioned above, we have rain barrels.
They are great in providing water for my plants that is chlorine and
chemical free. It really beats water our
plants with drinking water, which is what a lot of people do when they water
their plants and lawns with tap water.
It is such a waste of money in my pocket; but also to society, knowing
we are running out of reliable water sources.
We have four barrels, three of which are operational. The fourth one is on our wood shed and will
be operational soon.
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