Welcome back to Field Notes!
June 1, 2025
After six weeks in Alaska, I'm back in our landscape and it is beautiful! Lots of perennial and annual flowers are in bloom. Many plants are establishing themselves (second year "creep"). Native bees and hummingbirds are visiting the flowers and loving it. Birds are foraging for grass seeds on the ground, as well as eating at the Bird Buddy feeder.
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| Flowers in the rock garden are thriving |
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| Perennials and annuals bloom by the front path |
June 3, 2025
Admittedly, there is a lot of weeding and grooming to be done in the landscape. Some of the grasses have already gone to seed and turned golden brown. The planting beds, on close inspection, are a wild tangle of perennials, annuals, and some invasive weeds and vines. Weeds have popped up in the paths that wind through the property (zoom in on the photo to see the weeds that have cropped up since I left for Alaska in April). It's taking me awhile to sort it all out!
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| The path to the lower yard is filled with weeds |
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| Weeds are also lurking in the wild tangle of plants |
June 6, 2025
This year's crop of baby birds has been feeding at the Bird Buddy feeder. You can tell them by their diminutive size and the occasional bit of down mixed in with their feathers. The neighborhood cats have taken notice, so I shoo them away whenever I see them.
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| Several of this year's baby birds |
June 9, 2025
Sunday at the Farmer's Market in Montclair Village! This time I picked up peaches and blueberries for fresh fruit desserts, greens for salads, and stir fry veggies for a chicken stir fry with udon noodles. The creative juices start to flow when seeing all that delicious produce, and it's fun to interact with the growers in their booths.
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| Enticing booths at the Montclair Farmer's Market on Sundays |
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| Fresh vegetables ready to become masterpieces |
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| Fresh produce for the week |
Here in the Bay Area, we have many Farmers' Markets available through the Pacific Coast Farmer's Market Association (PCFMA) and the Urban Village Farmers Market Association (UVFMA). See you there!
June 12, 2025
I'm in the midst of learning about heucheras, because my Heuchera maximas are a hot mess! Those in the front planter seem to be growing out of control, and the leaves are covered with some kind of damage. Research indicates it could be caused by a leaf fungus or rust, possibly caused by over crowding or poor drainage. Organic methods are available for controlling leaf damage, but I suspect the plants need to be thinned for better airflow.
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| Heuchera with dead or necrotic leaves |
I started by trimming damaged leaves from several heucheras. With the leaves cleared away, I got a better glimpse of how the plant grows. An above-ground stem spreads out from a central root and produces leaves. A week after thinning several plants, new leaves have started to emerge.
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| New leaves from the above-ground stem |
I also learned that for ongoing maintenance, the roots need to be thinned every 2-5 years. The stems can be potted in soil to root new heuchera plants. The spent leaves can be cleaned up in spring or fall. I also learned that "Alum root" is one of the common names for heuchera, because the root can be used like alum as a mordant for dyeing fabric.
June 14, 2025
Sometimes in the garden of life, you have to take action. You might need to pull weeds, manage pests, trim a plant that has grown out of scale, or remove a tree that has become diseased. Today my husband and I exercised our first amendment right to free speech by joining the No Kings Protest in Oakland. It was a non-violent, family-friendly march through downtown Oakland to speak out about overreach and threats to our constitution and democracy.
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| No kings in our garden |
The crowd was estimated to be about 10,000 strong, and as diverse as our nation. Families with children, gray haired seniors, teens and college kids, First Nations people, immigrants from around the globe (recent as well as descendants of the Pilgrims), LGBTQ+ community, veterans, labor and workers of all types (including those struggling to find work). Real Americans, exercising their rights and doing their duty to protect them.
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| Signs of the times |
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| March down Broadway in Oakland, CA |
June 18, 2025
I recently read Forgotten Murders from Alaska's Capital, by Betsy Longenbaugh (Epicenter Press, Washington, 2022). Longenbaugh describes ten murders from the first half of the 20th century, which occurred when Alaska was still a territory or on the cusp of statehood (January 3, 1959). The book is well researched and the stories well told, providing a glimpse into the people drawn to early Alaska. True crime isn't for everyone, but I found the stories and people quite fascinating, and appreciated Longenbaugh's empathy for the victims and their families.
Former Juneau criminal reporters Betsy Longenbaugh and Ed Schoenfeld give "Death with Dessert" presentations in Juneau throughout the year, and walking tours in the summer.
June 20, 2025 🌷
Today is the summer solstice, and the longest day of the year! Soak in the sun (or whatever weather comes your way), and enjoy the long days of the new season!
June 23, 2025
According to the Audubon Society, California is one of the most diverse birding states in the country, and home to nearly two-thirds of all North American bird species. Over 600 bird species have been recorded in the state, and 450 of them are commonly observed. California is also home to 175 Important Bird Areas (IBAs); one of only 36 Global Biodiversity Hotspots; and a critical link along the Pacific Flyway—a migration route used by millions of birds each year.
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| California Towhee (Melozone crissalis) at the feeder |
The Audubon Birds of California website is a great resource for birders in California. Some of my favorites include:
- Audubon Magazine - lots of great articles, including "10 Ways to Take Better Smartphone Photos" (I definitely need this).
- Audubon App - downloadable from the iPhone App Store and Android Google Play. Would be interesting to compare with the Merlin Bird ID App.
- Guide to North American Birds - try out their filters to find your bird and learn more about it (for example, the California Towhee).
- Bird Friendly Native Plants - find native plants that benefit birds in your zip code. Create a bird-friendly habitat right in your own back yard.
