Wishing all the bees of the world a much better year in 2009! Plant and preserve our native wildflowers ;0)

Let our bees NOT disappear in a blur......

help save the bee!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!..... HAVE A SUPER 2009 ;0)

Search the net and you will find out more about the plight of bees.

Our very existance depends on them.

I especially appreciate the honeybees with their gift of honey..... don't you?

Nature Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

REACH FOR THE LIGHT

HONEYBEE ON WILD ASTER

Our honeybees are in trouble

Please preserve the native wildflowers of Virginia by integrating them into your flower gardens. Their beauty is amazing!

Let's keep our bees happy and healthy ;0)

Nature Wildlife Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

(image taken in my own backyard - Richmond, Va. - Chesterfield County)

All of my photographs are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Don't Throw It Away! ..... Gardening Tip

If you have ever gardened

or done yard cleanup

you might have discovered one of these.

It measures approximately one inch and would have been nestled carefully on a plant or even attached to your home in an out of the way nook.

This egg sac might not look special or precious but inside are miniature versions of that big gorgeous black and yellow Garden Spider (Argiope Aurantia.) The spiderlings will emerge and most likely won't be noticed at all until approaching adulthood. Then the large signature webs constructed by the females are easily seen.

They're not only beautiful to look at but these spiders are a natural alternative to using pesticides!

Check out the labels to the right of this photo

and click on "spider".....

there you may view images of this amazing orb spider ;0)

Nature Arachnid Photographs by Carolyn Hietala

Protect & Preserve - If you find one of these while preparing your garden for planting......

..... Do Not Discard!

It is a Praying Mantis Egg Case that will bring forth ravenous insect carnivores that are very interesting to observe..... a natural environmentally safe pesticide ;0)

Nature Conservation Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Recycle Those Cappuccino Coffee Cups..... OR - What do millipedes, plants & a Spring Peeper frog all have in common?

Most of us have discarded cups that we have become either tired of or because they have been chipped or cracked. I use these potential throwaways as starter pots to propagate house plants. My millipede terrarium needed cleaning so I seized the opportunity to add some decor..... old chipped or less than perfect china housing greenery. I also included artificial ivy and a worn vintage plate for more interest. The additions effectively conceal from immediate view the food / water dishes and the small fishbowl of substrate where the millipedes hangout during the daylight hours. Sorry no pictures of the millipedes as they are asleep but see my label "millipede" and there they are.

This view of the tank from above shows the Spring Peeper tree frog nestled beside the dish (click on image to supersize) of dog food. Yesterday the little fellow very happily spent the day in the water dish. Just north of the frog is the fishbowl housing the millipedes. I hope this arrangement works well for all inhabitants ;0)

Nature Art by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Before you buy that Dog Toy - PLEASE learn more about how DOGS see color. What's up with all those Red & Green Christmas toys? Just for OUR enjoyment?

Dogs can't even see the colors Red and Green!

Hmmm.... Think about all that color dye being wasted in the making of all those dog toys!

Here are some sites with more information on what our canine loved ones are actually seeing. Dog & human color bands (electromagnetic spectrums) for comparison can be viewed in the second link.

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00515.htm

http://www.uwsp.edu/PSYCH/dog/LA/DrP4.htm

Photograph of Miniature Pinscher by a good friend (who also makes beautiful custom pet jewelry BTW-the above necklace is made using REAL Pearls & Sterling Silver!)..... Thanks again to this talented Richmond, Virginia jeweler!

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

RECYCLE THAT OLD MAILBOX - Cedar post and all - Shall it be a Birdhouse or Squirrel Feeder?

White-breasted Nuthatch agrees.....

recycling an old mailbox is a good thing ;0)

Yep..... this mailbox has "Gone to the Squirrels."

Remnants of Hickory nuts lay scattered inside the box while an abandoned Wren nest is left intact. Birds often roost in old nests on cold winter days, cozy and protected from the elements. Since the mailbox is simply resting between two Holly trees, it can easily be relocated elsewhere if desired.

Last summer Wrens raised a brood here. The nest was tightly constructed against the back of the box. If neighboring cats had not been afraid to enter the yard (where my dogs rule) I would have inserted a wooden front, complete with entrance hole to make the birds safe and secure. I still may do that as the squirrels have decided to use it for a dining area this fall, wouldn't want them to disturb nesting Wrens next spring ;0)

Update from 2010: I put a front on the mailbox and a pair of Nuthatches have claimed it as theirs, as evident in the first image. Here's the link to read about the Nuthatchs nesting in the mailbox: http://carolynhietalanatureartpaintings.blogspot.com/2010/04/white-breasted-nuthatch-agrees.html
Conserve & Recycle - Recycling makes good sense so use your creativity and find new uses for old things. Your backyard wildlife will certainly appreciate your efforts!
Carolyn Hietala

Are our Honeybees destined to be..... just a blur in our memories? Ghosts of our insect world? CBS aired "What's Wrong with the Bees" on 60 Minutes

This is not just another scary ghost story.....

.....as our Honey Bees ARE in real trouble all over the world.

Here is a link to the story that aired on 60 Minutes last night 10/28/07 (along with video) via CBSNEWS.com: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/25/60minutes/main3407762.shtml
Nature Photos by Carolyn Hietala

Clean Virginia Waterways has an excellent web page about Rain Barrels - Water Conservation begins at HOME

"Even the smallest of creatures can benefit from a rain barrel under the downspout," says this pickeral frog ;0) Mosquito habitation is prevented by placing into the water Mosquito Dunks (biological mosquito control pellets shaped like doughnuts - bacillus thuringiensis) which are safe for fish, etc.

Clean Virginia Waterways' rain barrel information page: http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/rainbarrels.htm

Amphibian Images by Carolyn Hietala http://30minutesaday2peaceofmind.blogspot.com/2007/10/bring-back-rain-barrel-lack-of-rain.html

If it does rain today this backyard amphibian will JUMP FOR JOY!

Home Sweet Home!

Ever wondered what might be under that log?

Bufo Americanus this time ;0)

(click on images to supersize)

The toads dark color is a result from being in darkness under the log and is a good camouflage tactic. In daylight this Eastern American Toad will lighten to pale browns like the dead leaves surrounding it. Notice that it has puffed up with air in an effort to look "big & bad." I know better. Actually they are extremely docile and no they can't give you warts!


The lack of rain in Richmond, Virginia has confined this fellow under a log to conserve moisture. They can literally "dry up" and die without it so be kind and place a shallow pan of water near for them to refresh occasionally.

Let it rain, let it rain, PLEASE let it rain!!!!!!!

Then we'll ALL be jumping for joy ;0)

Photographs by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Backyard Habitats - Nature Lovers - Wildlife Enthusiasts - Compliments of Virginia Tech - The Virginia Cooperative Extension suggests....

Here http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/wildlife/426-070/426-070.html you will find some interesting information on setting up your very own "Backyard Wildlife Habitat." Preserving our wildlife and natural resources begins at home..... in your own backyard!

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/