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Backyard Exploration: Discover Where You Live

I would imagine that no matter where you live, there are aspects of it that you take for granted.  Oftentimes in looking for things to do or places to explore, it is easy to overlook the obvious (your own backyard or town!) and set your sights elsewhere.  I know that we certainly have.  

If you live in a rural area, the connection to the outdoors is pretty obvious, you might even see critters that you don't necessarily want to (Hello, Snakes!), but even if you live in a city, there is almost certainly green space or botanical gardens to seek out.

We are fortunate enough to live in a place that is undoubtedly suburban, but has a deep connection to nature at its core.  Yes, there are housing developments and small shopping centers like most suburbs, but they left the woods and mature trees up surrounding most areas so you are still flanked in forest when you are out walking your dog or driving to the grocery store.  Don't want to drive to the grocery store?  Those woods house both paved and natural paths that weave throughout connecting neighborhoods and shopping centers.  

There are also ponds, lakes, wooded picnic pavilions, community gardens, and nesting boxes for birds.  There is a charming nature center and campfire ring.  It's the type of place that has wildflower meadows, pollinator gardens and several beehives.  It also has a large county run park, but this post is really meant to be about exploring everyday sights, the "mundane."  Taking pleasure in what is directly out your doorstep, be it your neighbor's vegetable garden or that interesting shrub along the sidewalk, the bird squawking outside your window or the adorable groundhog in the field next door.

Here are some of the sights on our everyday wanderings:


Good Morning!

It can get squelchy in the woods!

My kids love these "fair weather crossings" over the water

Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susans in one of the Wildflower Gardens

What you cannot see are the astonishing amount of bees enjoying these flowers 
(Asclepias Tuberosa or Butterfly Weed)

More wildflowers


Oak Leaf Hydrangea


A crayfish chimney- so cool!

Looks like a beaver has been here



The boys loved seeing our neighbors grow cauliflower and broccoli along the sidewalk,
who needs a fancy garden!

Here is the broccoli before the critters got to it!
Our guess is a raccoon is the culprit!


Wild berries

Goldfinch


Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker


One of the many hawks that we see frequently in our neighborhood. 
We're so lucky to have them among us!
  




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