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Monday, December 26, 2011

The Red Fox


     Red foxes live around the world in many diverse habitats including forests, grasslands, mountains, and deserts. They also adapt well to human environments such as farms, suburban areas, and even large communities. The red fox's resourcefulness has earned it a legendary reputation for intelligence and cunning.
     Red foxes are solitary hunters who feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and other small game—but their diet can be as flexible as their home habitat. Foxes will eat fruit and vegetables, fish, frogs, and even worms. If living among humans, foxes will opportunistically dine on garbage and pet food.
     Like a cat's, the fox's thick tail aids its balance, but it has other uses as well. A fox uses its tail (or "brush") as a warm cover in cold weather and as a signal flag to communicate with other foxes.
     Foxes also signal each other by making scent posts—urinating on trees or rocks to announce their presence.  The also warn their young of danger by making a shrill bark or call.  Clickm on the below link to see a 10 second video demonstration.


     In winter, foxes meet to mate. The vixen (female) typically gives birth to a litter of 2 to 12 pups. At birth, red foxes are actually brown or gray. A new red coat usually grows in by the end of the first month, but some red foxes are golden, reddish-brown, silver, or even black. Both parents care for their young through the summer before they are able to strike out on their own in the fall.
     Red foxes are hunted for sport, though not extensively, and are sometimes killed as destructive pests or frequent carriers of rabies.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Classic Maine Lighthouses

     Click on the below link for my Christmas present to all of my blog followers:

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens #9

Blossoms From Throughout The Gardens 


     This is my ninth and final post on the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.  Some of the areas that I did not feature are the Visitor Center Art Display, the Burpee Kitchen Garden, the Rose & Perennial Garden, the Cleaver Event Lawn & Garden, The Haney Hillside Garden, the Vayo Meditation Garden, and the Bosarge Family Education Center.  If you have followed this series on the gardens, there is something here for everyone.  I would encourage every one to schedule a visit there during the spring, summer or fall of the coming year.  The gardens totally change with the season so multiple visits have to be made to really experience all they have to offer.  One can even enjoy the gardens in the winter by hiking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing the trails.
      If you have followed my blog for any time at all you realize that I really enjoy taking closeup photograph of flowers.  Because of that and because I didn't want to do multiple posts on the photos of blossoms that I have taken, I have attached a link below to a slideshow of fifty or more flower shots.  I hope you will watch it and enjoy the efforts I have made to share my work.  I believe you will have to view the slide show on a computer unless your mobile device has Flash Player.


     I have also included a short video of the Fairy House Festival held at the gardens last summer.  Use the below lint to watch the video.


     Since this is my final post on the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens I have included a link below to their website.  I hope you will visit it and make your plans for visiting the gardens next season.  Perhaps it is not too late for a gift card as a Christmas gift.  In any case I do hope you visit the gardens at some point in the future.  I guarantee you will enjoy it!  

     I would like to sincerely thank you if you have followed this series of posts.  If you have enjoyed your visits I hope you will follow my blog and look for future posts on lighthouses, wildlife, and flowers.  I certainly enjoy sharing my work with you.

Monday, December 5, 2011

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens #8

The Bibby & Harold Alfond Children's Garden - 2

     Because this new addition to the gardens is so spectacular, i had to split it into two posts.  This is the second of those.  To find out absolutely everything about the Children's Garden, use the below link. At the end of this post you will find a link to a video as well.



Tree House

Wabanaki Camp

Bear Den & Stump Jump

The Coloring Cottage

Water Pump

Green House

The Story Barn

Mr. McGregor's Garden

Part of Arch at Entrance to McGregor's Garden

Veggies in McGregor's Garden
     Use the below link to connect to a video on Maine Fairy House Festival. One sections of the Children's gardens is an area where they can build fairy houses.  I have not taken any photos of that area.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens # 7

The Bibby & Harold Alfond Children's Garden - 1

     In July of 2010, the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden opened.  With themes derived from beloved children’s literature by authors with a Maine connection, this garden appeals to the imagination of youngsters and their grown-ups. It offers endless exciting opportunities to learn about and interact with nature.  Because this two acre is so special I have decided to split it into two posts.  To find out absolutely everything about the gardens click on the below link to their web site.


Sign Post

The Blueberry Ponds

Stepping Stones

Visitors

Sal's Bear

Garden Path

Story Teller's Cottage

The Lawn Maze

Seagull Pavilion

Garden Swings