It’s that time again, a review of the best things I found while meandering around the internets this week. Hard to believe we’re up to #17, but you all just keeping writing such good stuff to tell everyone about!
First, the Barred Owl above spent 8 years wintering in and around my garden. Sadly, this year he did not return. But it seems a pair of Eastern Screech Owls has decided to take his place. I love owls!
The Power of One Garden is a wonderful piece about how one gardener (and one cat) changed author Jane Kurtz’s life. In a chance meeting with a gardener, Jane discovered Doug Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home, and completely changed the way she gardens. Kudos, Jane!
“It’s easy to love butterflies. But for many gardeners, attracting these beautiful pollinators is where the infatuation with insects begins and ends.” That’s how Janet Marinelli opens a great article about attracting insect predators to your garden at National Wildlife Magazine. Read more to find out how to attract more insects, which means more birds, to your garden.
Looking for a way to get your kids interested in nature and birds in your garden? Marghanita Hughes has a wonderful activity for kids to make natural bird feeders. Plus, her Little Humbugs are just too adorable! Follow @littlehumbugs
Okay, confession time: I like birds. I mean I REALLY like watching birds. So here’s a tip of my hat to one of my favorite bird photographers, only this is an article about a “squirrel-proof” bird feeder. You’ve probably already figured out that NOTHING is squirrel proof, but these photos are wonderful. Follow @LadyWoodpecker
It’s almost February, so you need a guide to garden tasks for the month. Helen Yoest has done just that, with some great tips for sustainable gardening that helps wildlife. Follow @HelenYoest
I just love bloggers! We can start a conversation here about our most hated plants, and Lisa Gustavson of Get In The Garden took the conversation there when she wrote Free Sowers vs. Freeloaders where she gently reminded us to dead head the free sowers and take responsibility for the free loaders. And now we can bring the conversation back here for more of your thoughts. Magic! Follow @getinthegarden
And finally, a meditation for the winter-weary by Naomi Sachs at Therapeutic Landscapes. Enjoy Connecting with Nature in Winter: Enjoying the Subtle Beauty. If you’ve had enough of the dark and cold, this is a great article to cheer you up. Follow @healinggarden
I’d love to hear your thoughts about any of the above.
© 2010, Carole Brown. All rights reserved.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Amazing list once again. I am quite envious of the owls as well. I’m hopeful that one day one of the cavities left from the woodpeckers will be home to something as spectacular! Thanks for your encouragement and inspiration, Carole!
Lisa´s last blog ..Free sowers vs. freeloaders
Carole, I was looking forward to seeing who you included in your list today. What a wealth of wonderful writing! I wish I had time to do all the reading I’d love to online, but, since I don’t, I just come and have a taste here in your Best of the Web. I’m glad you liked Jane Kurtz’s article, I was pretty sure you would
Alison Kerr´s last blog ..Companion Planting Doesn’t Work!
Oh, I went back to re-read Jane’s article and realized that Jane wrote the Lanie, American Girl of the Year 2010 books. Wow, and she incorporated principles from Doug Tallamy’s book! This is wonderful.
I’ve worked with Jane through my Usborne books business to bring books to kids in Ethiopia. She is an incredibly engaging author – I heard her present about a year ago and the kids were enthralled. It’s all great news for gardens and wildlife
Hi Carole, thanks so much for including me in your awesome list. The Finches and Chickadee’s are loving our natural feeders. I love the fact that you have to go on a hunt to find the pine cone (or sticks). The feeders are recyclable and they look so natural dangling from a branch.
Your Barred owl looks adorable-I hope it returns. Here in the Okanagan we are really lucky to have 14 out of the 15 owl species found in BC. I’ve only seen two so far but I’m always on the look out!
I think your doing an amazing job Carole and I feel privileged to be included in your journey. Nature Girls Rock!