Hurricane Sandy - Mega Storm

In midst of effects from the outer edges of approaching Hurricane Sandy which is due to make landfall later today somewhere between Baltimore and New Jersey. Has combined with a Nor'easter to make a super storm about 900 miles wide.
Here we are expected 40-45 wind gusts and up to 5 inches of rain later on in the day. The wind is howling through the trees now as we speak. Luckily most leaves have fallen of the trees which hopefully will reduce the chance of their falling over! Wishing safe passage through the storm for all our neighbors affected near and far. I think this big storm is just a harbinger of bigger storms to come due to a warmer climate. Photos later as we take them!

September - early October

I have been remiss and haven't posted since late August. September was fairly dry and warm. Local farmers in New Hampshire say that the season is two weeks ahead due to climate change. Late September-present we have experienced a lot of rain and intermittent sun. Beatitude Pond is full again as is the beaver pond. The beavers were busy up until about two weeks ago and then disappeared for a few days. We were worried someone had trapped them, but in the last couple of days we have seen all three of the colony going about their business and getting ready for the winter; whether it be a cold or warm one remains to be seen, but so far the temperatures continue to be above average for the time of year.

Other wildlife sighting this past month and this month:

• the foursome came back- twice...and those otters have really grown!
• many northern flickers in the oak trees in front of the house
• lots of chipping sparrows feeding on seeds in the field out back
• wood ducks making an appearance now again
• small frogs still active
• newts still active
• coyotes yowling on clear nights
• moose prints out by the beaver pond
• earlier in September we met one of the beaver kits...cute and spunky!
• beaver colony has made a lodge against the bank on Beatitude Pond and have added to their existing lodge in the beaver pond.

Flora

• lots of chicken of the woods mushrooms
• good crop of asters this year
• some black eyed susans still flowering as of 10/6/12
• green beans still growing as of 10/6/12
• tomatoes still growing, but not turning red

Summer's winding down

Summer is winding down and so are the creatures by the pond. Squirrels are risking life and limb to get from one side of the road to the other to gather nuts, chipmunks are stuffing their cheeks, birds are more active and the beavers are busier than ever.
Local farmers say many things are two weeks ahead of time, as far as the growing season is concerned.

The mid-west of the country continues to be dry and prone to wildfires. Hurricane season is becoming more active and tropical storm Issac is now approaching the Florida Coast.

Wildlife sighting here on Beatitude Pond:

the two beavers, of course - we think they are building a second home on the property
the heron is a regular, but skittish
many varieties of frogs
what I think was a brown weasel looking for frogs
turtles
cedar wax wings
junkos
many other birds
feathers of an Eagle on the driveway? or some bird with lots of white feathers

Unsettled Period

We've started to go through an unsettled period which means that we are having a bit more rain. This is good for everyone and thing. Vegetation is beginning to look a bit less droopy.
The beavers are enjoying branches we leave for them to encourage them not to cross the road to get more trees (we don't want them to get hit by a car) as they cut down more trees surrounding the ponds. The ducklings are growing up fast!

Major issues with drought and record high temps this July, severely hindering the growth of crops. Extremely alarming.

 Here in New Hampshire we have fared somewhat better. Though our water table is getting low, it's not at dangerous levels, yet. The beavers continue to enjoy both ponds and don't seem to be as skittish around as we snap their photos and start the video. This even we watched as the beavers chowed down on some branches we brought down to the pond. There was a minor tiff over food between the beaver couple, but then they settled down to eating side by side.

Other critters seen in recent weeks: river otters which got into a tangle with the male beaver who charged them and we haven't seen them since. Two visiting herons, one which Lindley saw crash on take off - no harm done, wood ducklings still motoring around foraging for food.

Wildflowers blooming already: golden rod, aster, bone set, black eyed susans. Blackberries already ripening. Raspberries started before July 4th!

Summer in March

March 20th was the first day of spring, but the temperatures broke records even before spring became official. Everything is about three weeks to a month ahead of time. The temperatures were in the 80's during the day. Life has returned to the pond and there is an abundance of poly wogs and vernal pool creatures, including these two breeding newts (see photo above).
On March 21st I heard wood frogs at the Town Hall and two days later, March 23rd, I heard them clacking out in the Beaver Pond. Today, March 24th, the temperatures are more normal for this time of year and we are back to wearing jackets. How will we...how will wildlife adapt to these big fluctuations in temperatures? that remains to be seen.
In the meantime not enough is being done to reduce our carbon footprints on a grander scale.

Warm July

Fourth of July. A double-digit day around the country, but here seasonably warm - in the mid-80's today. Everything seems a bit ahead...daisies have come and gone. Black eyed Susans are blooming. There are raspberries and goldenrod and some other wildflowers I usually associate with later in July or early August.

We have seen the heron a lot...it's loopy flight so easy to recognize.