We're moving back!

First week of November.

Storms Rolling In

These pictures were taking in July of 2006, but I just got around to blogging this now! I probably should have been in the basement instead of taking these pictures. There were 2 tornados spotted within 15 miles of our house as this swept through.

Garden Harvest and more

The garden is getting ripe! This week saw the harvest of dozens of ears of delicious sweet corn, basil, sage, tomatoes, green peppers, lettuce, peas, potatoes, garlic and parsley (I'm sure I've forgotten a few).

Even though most of the apples trees in our vicinity didn't bear fruit this year (heavy downpour and wind wrecked the blossums, I think...), our trees have somehow managed to retain their fruit, and are doing quite well. Thanks to Mr. Grotegut's attention, we are sure to have another great harvest this year!

The perrenial gardens and prairie were truly gorgeous this year.

Lupine

The Lupine is in full bloom on both sides of the driveway in the meadow. The phlox are opening, the Lilacs are almost done, the apples are done, the yellow cherry is done, the Rugosa is opening, the May Apples are blooming, the Wild Geranium(?) are open in the woods, Columbine is blooming, the Blue-Flag Iris' are budding, as are the Peonies. These are only the ones I'm vaguely familiar with - I still have so much to learn.

Fischer Creek and Lake Michigan

From the middle of February through the middle of April, I walked from our home on Point Creek to Fischer Creek almost daily. It was an easy walk in late winter, as the distance invariably kept my body warm in the cold weather. No bugs, very little stinky cladophora washing up on the shore. No people, ever. I can leave the front step, and proceed to hike over 4 miles - mostly along the beach of Lake Michigan, and never see a human soul.

The walk is still pleasant, but the warmer weather brought thousands of dead alewife minnows, chunks of stinky seaweed (cladophora). Unless you don't mind the crunching sound of walking on the carcasses of dead fish, you have to keep your eyes down - choosing your footsteps carefully. However, this takes your mind off of the beauty of the Lake and the bluff. Looking down during the walk is quite ugly - it's an hour and a half of staring at death of all kinds. It can be an enlightening meditation, but making the trip daily is no longer as desireable, though I still find myself drawn to the shore regardless.

Herons

There appears to be a Heron Rookery at Point Creek. I haven't dared to get closer than the mouth of of our path to the Lake, for fear of scaring them, but at least 3 are wading in the creek's mouth every time I wander that way. It looks like one is larger than the other two, but I can't be sure from this distance.

Woodchucks

A family of woodchucks has made it's home in the wood shed. We're still trying to figure out if there's anything we should do about it - but for now, we'll just let them raise the family in peace, and hope for the best. Thoreau describes a peaceful co-habitation with woodchucks in Walden. However, we will have to go without peas in the garden, since they eat the sprouts down to the root just as fast as they can grow!

This year's Garden

Kandy is busy gardening this year - potatoes, tomatoes, peas, green peppers, corn, garlic, carrots, lettuce, and more.

Kingfisher Farm has been revived!

This spring, Kingfisher Farm welcomed a complete makeover! New cement-board siding, a new roof, and all new gutters were completed earlier this week. We saved some of the old cedar, and might try to make a canoe with it. That's the plan anyway...

Red Headed Woodpecker

There is a resident Red Headed Woodpecker here at Kingfisher Farm. From what I understand, these birds are somewhat rare. We saw a Pileated Woodpecker a few times, but it didn't seem to stick around.

Indigo Buntings and more

First spring migrant sitings this week include Indigo Buntings, Rose Breasted Grosebeak, Baltimore Oriole, and Orchard Oriole. The forest is showing lots of Trillium in full bloom, along with Spring Beauties, Trout Lillies, Marsh Marigolds, and many more. We're on a learning curve with plant and bird identification, so bear with us!

First Post

Welcome to the official blog of Kingfisher Farm, a property owned by the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Cofrin Center for Ecological Biodiversity. My wife Kandy and I are caretakers of this 62 acres reserve, and will use this blog to report the status and observances of this unique place.

As a matter of background, Kandy and I design environmentally friendly houses for a living. We operate our home studio from Kingfisher Farm, but also have an office/residence in Madison that we call The Monarch, which also serves as our model home to showcase our green, or sustainable design ideas. This home was developed by GreenStar Homes, with whom we share the space.

If you're interested in building a new home, or would like a guided tour of Kingfisher Farm, please find more information on our websiteby clicking HERE. , or give us a call at 608-219-9318. We'd love to hear from you.