The beaver was walking along the edge of a small lake in our community this morning. It’s the first one I’ve seen here, and it’s the closest I’ve ever been to a beaver. #nature #beaver #maryland

We blamed a squirrel for digging in a pot on the porch & making a mess, so we covered the dirt with a plastic lid. But it was a Carolina wren, who tried to remove the lid & then came to the window, complaining. So we provided it with its own dirt bath. #birds #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

The native plant garden is very green and lush this year. Plants are relocating themselves and it’s looking more like a prairie than a garden. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

Sizing up the competition. Male Eastern bluebird. #birds #maryland #bluebird

Our front yard garden path. 🥰 #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

For some reason I never cut flowers to bring into the house. But this morning, one flower with a long enough stem had broken off, so I cut a few more to join it. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

A fritillary butterfly enjoyed the coneflower nectar for hours yesterday. When it moved on an Eastern yellow swallowtail came for hours. They were the only butterflies I saw, but they’re beautiful and it made me feel good that we had provided for them. #nativeplants #gardening #butterflies #maryland

Only one Eastern Yellow Swallowtail butterfly shows up occasionally and the one fritillary must have died, or moved on. I’m afraid the beebalm won’t last long in this heat. Plant #nativeplants #gardening #nature #maryland #butterflies

"Astronomers Denounce Elon Musk-Led Plan to Pollute Earth’s Orbit With 1.7 Million Satellites Some of the satellites “would be the brightest ever in orbit, with damaging consequences for dark skies on Earth.” www.commondreams.org/news/elon-mu....

Astronomers Denounce Elon Musk-Led Plan to Pollute Earth's Orbit With 1.7 Million Satellites | Common Dreams

European astronomers are pleading with the FCC to stop Elon Musk's plan to launch 1.7 million satellites, threatening devastating consequences for astronomy. Do we want our night sky filled with artif...

commondreams.org

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

A moment that changed me: my grandpa risks his life to litter pick – and he taught me a profound lesson

I thought I knew what it was to be a good citizen. But after seeing him scramble up a ditch, beaming with pride at his rubbish-filled bag, I realised what it actually involves

theguardian.com

Five years ago, when we moved here, the front yard was a typical suburban pesticide-laced deadzone of grass. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

Last year when I noticed little purple flowers in our lawn, we stopped mowing that area and now have a pretty cluster of Common Selfheal. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

Wood chips have been flying since the pileated woodpecker discovered insects in the rails of our fence. #birds #nature #maryland

Fleabane is one of those “weeds” that shows up on its own in my Maryland garden and looks glorious when left to grow as it desires. Later in the summer other perennials will add some color. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

It didn’t take long for our new rain barrel to fill up during yesterday’s gully washer. Yikes! #stormwatermanagement #rainbarrels #gardening #maryland

The front yard pollinator garden has filled in and is glorious. Only a few blossoms right now but many buds. #nativeplants #gardens #maryland

A black crowned night heron focused on breakfast. It was a nice surprise on our morning walk. #birds #maryland #nature

Goldfinches like to drink from the tiny water holder on the top of the hummingbird feeder. #birds #maryland

The spring garden is filling in. Baptisia, Golden Alexander, and Prairie Ninebark. #nativeplants #gardens #maryland

We have counted birds for Project Feeder Watch for 18 years. #birds #maryland

A portion of the front yard pollinator garden. I enjoy this time when there is so much promise. It’s filling in nicely, though mostly because of the misbehaving obedient plants. #nativeplants #gardens #maryland

Waiting for hummingbirds. Coral honeysuckle. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

A White-Breasted Nuthatch looking for insects on a dead branch of a dying oak tree. #birds #maryland #nature

A Common Grackle soaking up some rays. #birds #maryland

I guess this Red Bellied Woodpecker was enjoying the early evening sun because it perched in the oak tree for nearly half an hour. #birds #nature

Yesterday’s snow brought a lot of birds to the feeders. All the species get along, with the birds patiently waiting their turn. #birds #maryland

We’ve been in this house for 5 years, and the chipmunks have finally found us. A chipmunk always makes me smile. 😊 #nature #maryland

Even hawks appreciate a saucer of water. A red-tailed hawk, I think. #birds #hawks #maryland #nature

Don’t forget to shovel snow away from fire hydrants. A fire doubles in size every minute. You don’t want firefighters spending precious minutes getting access to a fire hydrant when your house, or a neighbor’s house is on fire.