The Wild Garden

Lichens

A Very Big Sycamore Leaf

Fungi (Species?)

Two Nests in One Tree

Box Elder

Where the Deer Walk

Black Locust Seed Pod

Wine Berry - Non Native Ivasive

Front of a Swallowtail

Fungi (Species?)

Grape Hyacynth - Non Native

Sycamore Leaf

White Tailed Deer - Buck

Red-Shouldered Hawk

Bird on Hackberry

Large Tolype Moth

Broken Black Vulture Egg

Berries in Bloom

Who Lives Here?

Honey Locust Seed Pods

Wood Sorrel

Burdock - Non-Native Invasive

Rosy Maple Moths (Dryocampa rubicunda)

Snail

Spider Web

Shaggy Mane

Northern Flicker Feathers

Spider Web

Chickadee

Chicken of the Woods

Black Walnuts

Toad

Wheel Bugs

Box Turtle

Chickory - Non Native Invasive

Fallen Maple Leaves - Winter Refuge for Insects

Magnolia

Fungi (Species?)

Black Walnuts

Snapping Turtle

Back of a Swallowtail

The Secret Garden is on land that was once a large dairy farm. Over the years, the land was damaged by buildings, heavy farm equipment, monocultures, and the animals. We hope that over time the land will recover and there are signs that it is happening. The plants, birds, and other critters in these photographs show that a diverse ecosystem is emerging. As you can see, there are still non-native invasive plants that will be difficult to eradicate. So, we pick our battles and, for now, leave those that do the least damage. But there are also wild and unruly native pioneers that are rebuilding the soil while sheltering and feeding our native wildlife. And every year, there are more! The best thing we can do to help nature thrive is provide food and shelter in the form of native plants. Even a tiny balcony garden makes a difference.

Toad

Fungi (Species?)

Goldenrod (Doesn't make you sneeze!)