Birds, Flora
Cardinal Season
Cardinals and Forsythia Bush
This is the time of year when we see whole flocks of cardinals around the farm and sanctuary. Today we have a fresh covering of snow and the cardinals are so beautiful against the white (and dull greens and browns) of winter.
Five cardinals (three males and two females) in a cedar tree
Birds are a high priority for us at Crossing Hedgerows. Many of the perennial trees, bushes, and herbs we have planted are not only food for people, but for birds as well. Also, allowing nature to populate the land with a variety of plants which provide food and habitat, and understanding the value of not “cleaning up” the land has allowed a great many types of birds to thrive.
One such volunteer plant we have occasionally spotted is the beautiful Cardinal Flower growing in wet shady areas. Though named after cardinals for its bright red blossom, it’s a flower that is especially loved by hummingbirds. We have quite a few different types of flowers that the hummingbirds enjoy, including comfrey flowers.
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)
Taking time to be out in nature and little by little recognize and understand these connections is something we love to share with you. Whether you already have expertise in these areas, or are looking to learn more, we welcome you to join us for our nature walks when they resume. And of course, as members, you are always welcome to visit anytime.
I hope you all have been enjoying your weekend,
Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
