There is so much life bursting upon the scene right now, it's impossible to mention it all. Hyacinth and daffodils and tulips are gracing the scene. Rhubarb, Egyptian onions, mint, lemon balm, tarragon, and various other herbs are popping up. The currant bushes, peach and apple trees, serviceberry, and wild plum are blossoming. Mayapples are in their full glory in the woods. These are a few of the many perennials we have planted around the farm and sanctuary. ...
For the most part, the photos will speak for themselves. We had a similar snowstorm last year about a week earlier than this one. Looking at the pictures from that one, it seems that the blossoms on the fruit trees were not out quite as much. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that this doesn't harm the fruit production here in SE Michigan. We prepared as best we could by bringing some of our more sensitive seed trays ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ant on violets wild geranium blossom just beginning to open a patch of trilliums trilliums and decaying logs sun shining through the leaves oak leaves wolf spider ...
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 ...
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 ...
February's walk has been postponed to this coming Sunday, March 7th at 2:00 pm. To make up for it though, I am sharing a few photos that Brennah took around the farm and sanctuary on March 4th of last year. And also, maybe this will allow for a few more people to make it at the new time. pussy willow dried buckthorn berries trees with sycamore in the center ...
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 ...
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. bird's nest with a large mound of snow in it - photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Blessings from the Sanctuary, Jean Phot
bumble bee with pollen (in flight) on shrubby st John's wort One of the many wonderful aspects of the Sanctuary is the wide variety of plant life. The featured photos are of St. John's wort taken by Brennah Cavanaugh. We have a couple different varieties of St. John's wort, in fact! It's exciting to consider all the different sorts of ways we can appreciate these plant friends and share knowledge about them. We hope you ...
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 ...
Tree at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary - photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Work song, part 2: a vision If we will have the wisdom to survive, To stand like slow-growing trees On a ruined place, renewing, enriching it, If we will make our seasons welcome here, Asking not too much of earth or heaven, then a long time after we are dead The lives our lives prepare will live Here, their houses strongly placed Upon the valley ...
Oak tree at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. Photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Song of Life by Charles Mackay (1814 - 1889) A traveller on a dusty road Strewed acorns on the lea: And one took root and sprouted up, And grew into a tree. Love sought its shade at evening-time, To breathe its early vows; And Age was pleased, in heights of noon, To bask beneath its boughs. The dormouse loved its dangling twigs, The birds ...