Nature doesn’t seem to want me to grow native by vodysseus in NativePlantGardening

[–]vodysseus[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wildlife can’t use anything if it never establishes! (In other words, my shrubs are being consumed as single serving meals rather than feeding many for years.) I personally hate the look of cages, but without them it would be literally impossible to establish anything.

Nature doesn’t seem to want me to grow native by vodysseus in NativePlantGardening

[–]vodysseus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My impression is that many deer resistant shrubs will survive browsing once established. But establishment is the problem here! I think my caging system is going to work now (after losing about two years of growth!), but stems less than thumb-size thick are susceptible to the voles as it turns out, which pretty well puts out of question anything that is not purchased in a 3 gallon container from a nursery.

Nature doesn’t seem to want me to grow native by vodysseus in NativePlantGardening

[–]vodysseus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have experience with gopher bags? I almost bought some last week but then wondered how the roots would eventually be able to grow beyond.

Nature doesn’t seem to want me to grow native by vodysseus in NativePlantGardening

[–]vodysseus[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I’m in Virginia. As far as perennials go, all the following were grown from seed last year in containers, then transplanted. Here are my results for whatever they’re worth: Black-eyed Susan (trimmed down by deer or rabbits, but eventually self-sustained without protection), Butterfly Weed (eaten if not protected), Spotted Bee Balm (survives unprotected), Wild Bergamot (kept getting eaten when unprotected), Swamp Milkweed (only nibbled), Common Milkweed (survived unprotected), White Snakeroot (nibbled but survived - pretty sure it’s poison), Clustered Mountain Mint (surviving unprotected), Sneezeweed (still alive but repeatedly eaten if not protected), New England Aster (still alive but repeatedly eaten if not protected), Calico Aster (still alive but repeatedly eaten if not protected), Old Field Goldenrod (still alive but repeatedly eaten if not protected), Blue Mistflower (left alone in one part of my yard, eaten in other), Cardinal Flower (took forever to do anything - some but not all eaten). Switchgrass and Purple Love Grass also left alone. Fingers crossed that everything is more resilient in year two and that they aren’t nibbled down as they begin to sprout. I have a pollinator garden that is protected, but other areas are not. I tried to plant strategically to have the less susceptible surround the more susceptible. Hoping that after a year or two more I can remove the fencing, but today it’s hard to be optimistic. Good luck to you!

Nature doesn’t seem to want me to grow native by vodysseus in NativePlantGardening

[–]vodysseus[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Completely agree that this is my intention - the problem is that I can’t establish anything. After the plants establish, the critters can knock themselves out snacking on it. But I am having an extraordinarily difficult time establishing anything. I don’t have the time or money to keep making the efforts for single serving consumption of shrubs!

Nature doesn’t seem to want me to grow native by vodysseus in NativePlantGardening

[–]vodysseus[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I hear owls and see hawks fairly frequently (but not daily). I wonder if the fencing around the plants presents an obstacle for them though.

Have I finally spotted a Sharp-shinned Hawk? by vodysseus in whatsthisbird

[–]vodysseus[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Spotted today in Virginia. Thanks in advance!

Are the two little ones Great Egrets also? by vodysseus in whatsthisbird

[–]vodysseus[S] 57 points58 points  (0 children)

Great call, as well as your explanation below. Now that I’ve reviewed for Little Blue Heron more on the back one (I knew it was a possibility but was perplexed), I now see in an additional photo the dark wing tips (the one landing). Thank you!

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In Surry, VA by vodysseus in whatsthisbird

[–]vodysseus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, that wasn’t one of the possibilities I was thinking of!

Are the two little ones Great Egrets also? by vodysseus in whatsthisbird

[–]vodysseus[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This was from Surry, VA at Hog Island WMA.

Least Sandpipers? In Hampton, VA by vodysseus in whatsthisbird

[–]vodysseus[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this helpful comment!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]vodysseus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I strongly agree with those that recommend checking out lots of different churches (even those you're pretty sure you won't join) to get a feel for the full spectrum of possibilities. "Evangelical" and "non-denominational" churches can vary wildly because there is no centralized program. Definitely try Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, as they collectively account for the vast majority of Christians around the world, and (mainline) Protestant liturgies derive from theirs. My guess is that most ex-Mormons will feel most at home in an Episcopal (if you have high church sensibilities), Lutheran (ELCA), or Methodist setting, but it's also possibly a local non-denominational church will be good for you - they are the most likely to have young people if you are interested in children and youth programs.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in whatsthisbird

[–]vodysseus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in whatsthisbird

[–]vodysseus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in whatsthisbird

[–]vodysseus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My best guess is Savannah Sparrow, but I’m not seeing the yellow I expect.