Backyard Beauties

kenn3d

16 years ago

Hi all,

Back again with another batch of photos from our busy backyard.

The Cardinals...

White-breasted Nuthatch:

Baby Carolina Wren:

Cowbabies:

Blue Jay fledgling:

Red-bellied Woodpecker fledgling:

Mockingbird:

Titmouse:

Robin:

And a baby Bluebird (1st-nest fledge) enjoying the sun:

We hope you enjoy these,

Kenn & Temple

Here is a link that might be useful: Latest Slideshow

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

oberhasli1
16 years ago
Great pictures! You should send that fledgling bluebird picture to Birds and Bloom magazine. That is the cutest picture!!!!!
bob414
16 years ago
Great shots as always. I like the Bluebird also. I never thought of that use for a peanut.
Related Discussions
WANTED: Iris's / Epys
Q
Comments (4)
I have tall bearded Superstition & EArl of Essex iris I am moving right now, might can come up with another variety or 2.
...See More
adding mulch and organic
Q
Comments (14)
The builder comes in and scrapes off the top 4 inches of soil that was there, the "topsoil" and then the next top 4 inches of soil become "topsoil", because the only definition of "topsoil" that exists is that "topsoil" is the top 4 inches of soil. In the real world the term "topsoil" is meaningless. What most people think of when they talk about "topsoil" is loam, a specific soil type that is defined as containing 45 percent sand, 25 percent silt, 25 percent clay, and 5 percent organic matter and if that is you idea of "topsoil" then that, loam, is what you need to talk about, not "topsoil". "Topsoil" is whatever the seller wants it to be, not what you have pictured in your mind. The only people around here that still sell "topsoil" are excavators, people that scrape soil off the land. The rest sell "garden soil" and one of those is the organci matter dredged from one of the lakes around here mixed with sand and lime, another is mixed by the nursery according to a "secret" recipe and includes cigarette filters, used diapers, and other waste products while a third mixes compost (this guy collects leaves in the fall and composts them) with some soil (that can be either sand or clay depending on his source). Many years ago some of the nurseries around here sold spent foundry sand as "topsoil" and many, many places around town have that and are trying to grow grass in it. The term "topsoil" has no real meaning and should not be used.
...See More
Looking for ideas to make my backyard beautiful
Q
Comments (12)
I am no expert on landscaping, but I usually choose an area with the best sun for vegetable garden. I like raised beds as another suggested, although I've successfully gardened without. I have always had a big dog, and they seem to like to eat my vegetables, so I often fence the garden area to keep the rascals from eating all of my veggies. I would choose how you best like to use the patio space: lounging or dining. And then buy some furniture so you can sit in your yard and enjoy it. Typically I like to keep a nice long stretch of grass for my dog. It gives her a space to run, chase toys, and do her business. Otherwise I consider the yard a space I share with my dog. Rather than specifying one single area for her, we both enjoy being outside playing or gardening or just relaxing. We've encouraged our dog to use a specific area outside of the primary foot traffic area to leave her solid waste. Other than that, perhaps a landscape designer or maybe even some knowledgeable staff at a local plant nursery could help you design landscaping and help you choose plants that will thrive. Think about how much time you want to spend working in the yard and make sure to communicate that to anyone helping to design the space for you. Personally I like to spend a little time in the vegetable garden, but otherwise I prefer a low maintenance yard. Others find yard work a soothing or enjoyable hobby and might prefer a higher maintenance. Knowing how you want to use the space and how much time you want to spend maintaining it will help make sure you enjoy it.
...See More
Ready to make my backyard beautiful! Where do I start?
Q
Comments (22)
Before you start to spend money, even on a plan, think about how you want to use your space and what works or doesn't work now. A two-level living area (deck above, patio below) might not be your best bet because you lose the flexibility to move things around. Right now I see your outdoor "dining room" on the deck, your outdoor "kitchen" (grill) on the lower patio area, and I don't see a "living room" at all. Where would these outdoor rooms work best in your new plan? I agree with the poster above that is is highly unlikely that you will be able to build a 3 season room on the existing deck. Where are the doors to the outside from your house? Consider enlarging your existing deck instead of adding patio. I have a very large deck and love it. Instead of 2 small outdoor rooms I have one large one. I have lots of flexibility on where to place furniture depending on whether I am entertaining a crowd or just the family. As far as a cover for the patio, because I planted a tree just a few feet from the patio on the west side, I have shade there in the hot late afternoon, and a wonderful feeling of cool shelter. I put a small 10' x 10' metal gazebo on one corner for privacy from the neighbours' upstairs windows, and the gazebo cover keeps the dining table clean. You could do that now on your existing patio. As far as vegetables, consider grow bags that you fill with good soil and can place in the sunniest parts of your yard. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/grow-bags/
...See More
rsingley
16 years ago
Very jealous of your picture taking ability. Fantastic pics...
glad2garden
16 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous!!!
beegood_gw
16 years ago
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing. Could cow babys be calves?
janie_may
16 years ago
FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That baby blue, sunbathing.....adorable! Oh my goodness, I just noticed that he's plopped down on a peanut!

All great, as always, but extra kudos on that CAWR. :)
terrene
16 years ago
Your pictures make me smile. The fledgling Bluebird is beyond cute. There are lots of fledglings in the yard right now, squawking for food and doing their funny things, with dutiful parents feeding them. They are so fun to watch, but I have to use bins to see what the heck's going on and of course can't see them the way your pictures can portray them. :)
gardener365
16 years ago
Hi Kenn & Temple,

Fantastic. I believe I had a Cowbaby at my home, recently. Are you a "fan" or friend of thusie on smugbug? I know her
from the conifers forum.

Thank you much!

Dax
oldned
16 years ago
As always-great pix. What do you do with the plant in the Wren pic in cold weather?
kenn3d
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks very much all for your encouragement,
We love to share our birds. :)

Dax - No, I hadn't seen thusie's work until you asked, but I've just visited the site. There are many outstanding bird galleries on smugmug.

oldned - That's Plumeria. We bring it indoors over-winter where it goes completely dormant. And out again in late spring and all summer on the deck.
It leafs out quickly in the warm weather:

And produces lovely fragrant yellow-white blossoms late in the season:

thanks again everybody,

Kenn

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Beautiful Flowers and Foliage From Dedicated Backyard Gardeners

By Stacy Briscoe

From lawn daisies to topiaries, Houzz users share their backyard beauties

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?

By Stacy Briscoe

The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy

Full Story

118

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Backyard Beauty Inspires a Resort-Like Space

By Becky Harris

Open to the outdoors and all kinds of entertaining possibilities, this spacious renovated basement is fun for the whole family

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Enjoy the Simple Beauty of a Backyard Rock Garden

By Jess McBride

This collection of Japanese-inspired rock gardens is bound to lift your spirits

Full Story

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Contemporary Beauty in an Ontario Home

By Ieteke

Rich colors, sleek lines and a backyard oasis fulfill both halves of a Canadian couple's wish list for their upgraded home

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Build a Beautiful Platform Deck in a Weekend

By Meg Padgett

Create a polished outdoor space for entertaining by building a basic DIY platform deck in your own backyard

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 8 Ways to Beautifully Integrate an Outdoor Hot Tub

By Christine Tusher

Harmonize your hot tub with your landscape for good looks and great relaxation

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Natural Swimming Pools: More Beauty, No Chemicals

By Falon Mihalic

Keep your skin and the environment healthy with a pool that cleans itself, naturally

Full Story

551

CURB APPEAL 8 Effective, Beautiful Lighting Types for Front Yards

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Increase safety and security while highlighting plants and other landscape features, using the right mix of outdoor lights

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 12 Naturally Beautiful Hot Tubs

By Laura Gaskill

Prefer a no-plastic look for your patio or yard? Wood, stone and concrete make these hot tubs fit right in with nature

Full Story

Backyard Beauties

Comments (10)

oberhasli1

bob414

Related Discussions

rsingley

glad2garden

beegood_gw

janie_may

terrene

gardener365

oldned

kenn3d
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Backyard Beauties

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

kenn3dOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

kenn3d
Original Author