TWStud's Musings » Nature

Sail on Schooner Appledore

TWStud — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:22:58 +0000

This summer we took a few trips on the Schooner Appledore out of Camden Harbor when friends and relatives came to visit. They were all fun trips.

Fun new way to use Laser!

TWStud — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 16:07:52 +0000

I have seen a number of posts with people experimenting with etching stones with lasers and had to try it. As it turns out, Slate is ideal for engraving! The material blasts away leaving a white powdery well that has excellent contrast with the surrounding gray stone.

I made a variety of exposures and left them around our yard for our granddaughter to discover!

Laser Etched Slate

Protected: Chloe’s Spot

TWStud — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 17:40:08 +0000

Protected: Chloe’s Spot

TWStud — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 17:40:08 +0000

Protected: Chloe’s Spot

TWStud — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 17:40:08 +0000

Looks like we have Dinner Guests at the House In the Woods

TWStud — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 21:43:44 +0000

Yum! Dinner!

This group came to visit while I was sitting in my office. I invited them to stay :-)

Winter at the House in the Woods, brrr!

TWStud — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 17:02:44 +0000

With temperature lows of 7 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit the last couple of days, the stream at the House in the Woods has taken on a whole new look! Yes, the water is still flowing!

WinterStream

[img src=https://tomstudwell.com/wordpress/wp-content/flagallery/winterstream/thumbs/thumbs_img_4955.jpg]2910
[img src=https://tomstudwell.com/wordpress/wp-content/flagallery/winterstream/thumbs/thumbs_img_4956.jpg]2600

The good news is that, despite the low temperatures, the Workshop Heat Pumps have kept my digs roasty toasty! Not bad for my first Heat Pump installation!

First Baby Pictures!

TWStud — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:25:04 +0000

Of the bluebirds, of course.

Bluebird Babies May2013

The Bluebirds are really busy now!

TWStud — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:24:56 +0000

Not much more to say, the Bluebird parents are now on a constant shuttle to bring food to the babies. They are very careful to keep potential interlopers away from the nest, dive bombing squirrels and other birds if they even think about getting close to the nest.

One aspect that I’ve been able to notice from my great viewpoint is that Papa takes care of cleaning out the nest. I’ve seen him remove shell fragments and, interestingly, he doesn’t just drop them outside the box, but flies away in random directions to, presumably, spread the ‘trash’ in some untraceable way. Very interesting…

219 Bluebirds 2013

[img src=https://tomstudwell.com/wordpress/wp-content/flagallery/219-bluebirds-2013/thumbs/thumbs_img_1365c.jpg]1650Mama with a delicious looking grasshopper for the babies.
[img src=https://tomstudwell.com/wordpress/wp-content/flagallery/219-bluebirds-2013/thumbs/thumbs_img_1359.jpg]1390Gotta feed 'em all...
[img src=https://tomstudwell.com/wordpress/wp-content/flagallery/219-bluebirds-2013/thumbs/thumbs_img_1360.jpg]1340Gosh it's getting tight in here!
[img src=https://tomstudwell.com/wordpress/wp-content/flagallery/219-bluebirds-2013/thumbs/thumbs_img_1350c.jpg]1310Papa, keeping an eye out for intruders.
He especially doesn't like the pesky squirrels that come near the base of the bird house pole.[img src=https://tomstudwell.com/wordpress/wp-content/flagallery/219-bluebirds-2013/thumbs/thumbs_img_1346.jpg]1220Papa protecting Mama and the babies.
[img src=https://tomstudwell.com/wordpress/wp-content/flagallery/219-bluebirds-2013/thumbs/thumbs_img_1347.jpg]1180Papa protecting Mama and the babies.

Who you lookin’ at!?

TWStud — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:42:08 +0000

Well! I guess this photo tells it all!

Papa Bluebird right after giving the 'kiddies' their latest bite...

I guess Papa didn’t want me disturbing the kiddies during dinner time! (Of course, from what I’ve seen recently, ‘dinner time’ ranges from sun up to sun down!)