The Fauna category celebrates the many creatures who share life with us at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. From birds and butterflies to cats, chickens, and woodland visitors, the animals here are not viewed as background scenery, but as fellow participants in the sacred ecology of the land.

At the Sanctuary, we observe wildlife not only with appreciation but with attentiveness. Each creature reveals something about balance, adaptation, interdependence, and divine design. A bluebird reaching for dogwood berries, a Giant Swallowtail caterpillar feeding on prickly ash, or barn cats burrowing into warm straw during winter storms — these are not random occurrences, but expressions of a living system working in harmony.

Many posts in this category explore practical stewardship: habitat restoration, holistic animal care, natural feeding practices, and ways to support pollinators and native species. Others reflect on symbolism and the deeper meanings animals carry within the Mystery tradition — reminders that the patterns we see in nature mirror patterns within ourselves.

Fauna at Crossing Hedgerows is also about responsibility. To care for animals well requires knowledge, humility, and a willingness to learn from both tradition and experience. Whether tending to domestic animals or observing wild ones, we seek to cultivate reverence rather than control.

Here you will find stories, reflections, practical guidance, and moments of quiet beauty — glimpses into a sanctuary where creatures great and small help teach us how to live in alignment with the order of creation.

Multi-functional Plants

By |2026-03-10T01:42:50+02:00January 31st, 2026|Flora, Insects|

One of the priorities we have in designing the "non-wild" spaces of the farm and sanctuary is to choose multi-functional plants. In this video, you can see the bumblebees gathering nectar from the blossoms of the comfrey. I've also seen many other pollinators, and even hummingbirds, sipping from the comfrey flowers. Comfrey is likewise a medicinal herb used in salves for healing wounds, and occasionally a tea (for very specific conditions - not to be used long-term ...

A Butterfly Friend

By |2026-03-10T02:24:04+02:00January 31st, 2026|Insects, Musings|

Jean, Brennah and guests   A fun little episode from our May Member Walk and Bonfire was the appearance of this butterfly. Brennah spotted it and stopped to take some pictures - two of which I've added to this post. The young lad was especially interested, and Brennah explained that the butterfly is called a Mourning Cloak, and is one of the earliest to appear in the spring. Because they come out so early, there ...

Fledglings

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Birds|

Some of the baby birds are beginning to fledge now. This whole nest of sparrows came down at once the other day, moving about in a little group while the parents continued to watch over them. It's a little hard to tell, but there are four of them here.Being a haven for birds is something we're quite keen on here at the farm and sanctuary. We love that we can provide an excellent habitat for them. Even ...

Magical May

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Flora|

Today's post features scenes from the woods taken during the month of May.Photos by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography. You can find more of her work on Instagram @brennahcavanaugh

Happy Mother’s Day!

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Events & Celebrations|

In this photo, the white banty hen is trying to shelter all her grown chicks under her wings. A banty hen is a type which is smaller than regular hens. The chicks in the picture are not bantys, but the banty mama sat on the eggs from other hens and raised the chicks as her own.Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas of the world!

Shagbark Hickory

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Flora, Musings|

I'd like to highlight in my coming posts some of the many forest crops we have at the Sanctuary. Many we have planted around the Cavanaugh homestead. Others have been planted by birds, wind, and the ways of Mother Nature and we have allowed them to flourish. And some were on the land already when we arrived. The Shagbark Hickory is one in the last category. Hickory trees do not produce nuts every year, so one has to ...

Spicebush

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Flora|

One of the main understory shrubs in the woodlands area of the Sanctuary is Spicebush. The photos in this post are ones that Brennah has taken across the seasons showing the blossoms, berries, and fall foliage. She has even captured a shot of the Spicebush Butterfly (which I didn't realize was a thing, but she had identified long ago).I happened upon an excellent description of Spicebush this morning on the Indigenous Landscapes site which I will share ...

All in its Own Time

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Events & Celebrations, Flora|

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.   ~ Lao TzuYesterday we had another lovely Member Walk and Bonfire, which I will share some pictures from soon. We had a small ritual in the woods together, while the Red-Winged Blackbirds loudly serenaded us. A big thank you to members, such as Alissa Addy, who have spread the word to friends so that more people can be aware of all that we are offering here at the Farm and ...

Comma Butterflies – Heralds of Spring

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Insects|

I found these photos of Comma Butterflies that Brennah took last year on April 2nd. She told me that they are some of the first butterflies to emerge in the spring. We will certainly be keeping an eye out for these beauties again this year. According to Wikipedia, "The eastern comma may be spotted in woods near rivers, ponds, marshes, swamps, and other water sources." Thank you once again for your support of this magical place for our ...

Making Nest Boxes for Kestrels and Screech Owls

By |2026-03-07T05:19:28+02:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Events & Celebrations, News|

This past Saturday, Dan, Caitlin, and Brennah had a fun time working on making nest boxes for kestrels and screech owls. We've seen these raptors around occasionally and would like to make a place for them to raise their young each year. Not only are they lovely birds in their own right, we're hoping they'll help keep the farm rodent population under control. We have regular work days every Thursday and Saturday (however we haven't had much interest ...

Life Emerging

By |2026-03-07T05:19:28+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Flora, Musings|

We are at the time of year where the reptiles and amphibians are stirring, the willow catkins are at their finest, the marsh is at its marshiest, and the leaves and blossoms are beginning to peak out. The territorial battles between the various spring peepers and frogs is deafening when you head back to the woods and towards the wetlands area.  I hope you enjoy these photos of late March at the Sanctuary taken by Brennah.Wishing you ...

Spring Walks

By |2026-03-07T05:19:28+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Musings, Sanctuary Cats|

What a gorgeous spring equinox weekend we had here in Southeast Michigan! The mild breezes and fresh sunshine were a gentle rejuvenation for our hearts. Check out the photos for a glimpse of our walk with Arthur the cat into the Sanctuary woods.Underneath the crunchy leaves new life is beginning to emerge, including a little friend who gave our kitty quite a fright when he noticed the poor creature who was just as frightened of that giant ...

Sky Over CHFS

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Musings|

There are a variety of bio-regions at the Sanctuary. We have perennial gardens and annual gardens. We have a windbreak of spruces we planted, and we have an enclosed hoop-house area. We have a woodland region, a pond region, wetlands, meadow, and shrubby areas. We have a creek that runs the length of the Sanctuary and then on out to Lake Erie. It's called the North Branch of the Swan Creek. We have a planned food forest ...

Insects of the Sanctuary

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Insects|

All creatures have their place and value in an ecosystem. The more variety there is, the more balance is created.Here are some photos Brennah took on August 3rd - 7th this past summer at CHFS. This is a tiny fraction of the insects (which Brennah photographs at all different life stages) that make up the habitat. We are sharing these as a special post for patrons only, as these photos have not yet been shared anywhere else. ...

Rotting Logs

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Flora, Musings|

Excerpt from The Overstory by Richard Powers: The judge asks her to elaborate. Dennis was right It is like talking to students. She describes how a rotting log is home to orders of magnitude more living tissue than the living tree. "I sometimes wonder whether a tree's real task on Earth isn't to bulk itself up in preparation to lying dead on the forest floor for a long time."The judge asks what living things might need a dead ...

Season of Imbolc

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Musings|

Last week this bird's nest was full of snow. This week the snow is melting fast. And a couple of days ago when I stepped out onto the back patio, I saw the biggest fattest robin I have ever seen. Imbolc gives us the promise of springtime as the light continues to grow. Blessings from the Sanctuary,JeanPhoto by Brennah Cavanaugh 

Where the Wild Things Are

By |2026-03-01T03:30:34+02:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna|

There are many non-human creatures that also enjoy the trails at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. Here are a few of their tracks that Brennah Cavanaugh photographed the other day. These are turkey, coyote, and some tiny rodent - perhaps a mouse. We've seen quite a lot of other kinds of footprints as well. It's certainly a joy to provide a habitat where plenty of wild things are able to find refuge.Many Blessings from the Sanctuary,Jean

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