Nature Note:Young of the Year

They are already appearing,the young of the year.Mourning doves were the first sighted,with three squabs eating under the feeder with their parents.Then a male northern cardinal was seen feeding his young in a leyland cypress.This morning,a tiny cottontail was observed nestled against a picket fence.The rabbits can be pesky,occasionally nibbling on landscape plants,but are generally a welcome member of the urban forest.Yesterday,a light frost occurred-probably the final one of the year-but the tomato plants were unscathed,along with the tiny rabbit.

Nature Note:Leafing Out

The leaves are fully out now,bringing shade to the property.Some of the shade is desirable,as it cuts cooling costs.Other shade may not be,if you're growing sun-loving plants.If the shade trees are on an adjacent property,there's little you can do about it.You may well just have to plant shade-tolerant plants such as Canadian hemlock and hostas.I planted a hemlock seedling last year,but a rabbit set it back with its browsing.The hemlock won't die,but I lost a year because of that rabbit.For now,there is plenty of grass and weeds for the rabbits to browse.

Nature Note:Good Planting Weather

The past few days have brought cold and wet conditions.Although unpleasant,these have protected hay fever sufferers from tree pollen flying around and getting into their bodies.They have also presented growers with a good chance to plant shrubs and trees.It is easier to dig the moist earth,and it isn't necessary to water the newly planted shrubs and trees.I planted some holly trees to complement a female holly I had planted last year.Another holly,a male plant,didn't survive the winter.It had been nibbled by a cottontail rabbit.The female holly made it somehow,so I planted her a new male,as well as a second female.Without a male tree,the female hollies cannot produce their bright red berries in the autumn.The new hollies are of the Blue cultivar,while the older female is of the China cultivar.

Nature Note:Rabbit Tracks

Every morning I've been finding cottontail tracks in the snow.The front feet leave a single,small track,while the rear feet leave separate,larger tracks.Its favorite food,grass,has been covered for some time by a layer of frozen snow.I could walk on the snow without sinking in.It had become porcelain snow from the cycle of thawing and re-freezing overnight.A number of mild days are ahead,which should bring the crocuses up and help the rabbits.

Nature Note:Rabbit Breakfast

I found a rabbit nibbling my rhododendron today.Rabbits had nearly killed this bush after it first flowered.I didn't want to see that happen again.It has taken two years for it to recover,and it hasn't been able to bloom for two years.I didn't chase the rabbit;I just scolded it gently and it hopped away.That's what is good about being out early.You can catch destructive animals and deal with them before they do too much damage.

Nature Note:The Rabbit

The rabbit is so close,I could reach over and touch it.I would like to do that,but I decide it would be wrong.Let the wild stay wild.It is almost tame,so I don't want to take away the little that is left.There are enough pets.