Posts from the ‘Nature’ category

Wild Turkey(s)

I can’t help myself…I keep taking photos of them…

I am not that fond of the darn turkeys but they can be pretty funny. The smallest chicks walk a bit and then skitter across the ground at high speed. Even the chicks are not that attractive… And I question their intelligence. They hang around here, cross near the house where the big dog and big cat live…their only salvation is their ability to fly….and the fact that plucking one vs buying one all ready for the oven holds no allure for me…

Wild Turkey(s).

Common Yarrow

We went from the possibility of a freeze to HOT – it didn’t reach 90, but it got close. One more day – today, and then a cold front is supposed to whoosh through overnight and “hang on to your hat”, as with that windy front we are due to move straight to early Fall!

Meanwhile, the only thing flowering in my woods is Common Yarrow…another medicinal.

Yarrow is a very valuable medicinal herb, with much scientific evidence of use in alternative medicine as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, stimulant, and tonics, vasodilator and vulnerary. Yarrow is used against colds, cramps, fevers, kidney disorders, toothaches, skin irritations, and hemorrhages, and to regulate menses, stimulate the flow of bile, and purify the blood. Medicinal tea is a good remedy for severe colds and flu, for stomach ulcers, amenorrhea, abdominal cramps, abscesses, trauma and bleeding, and to reduce inflammation. The main constituents are volatile oils including linalool, camphor, sabinene, and chamazulene, sesquiterpene lctones, flavanoids, alkaloids including achilleine, polyacetylenes, triterpenes, salicylic acid, coumarins, and tannins which prove these uses in alternative medicine to be effective. Extracts of yarrow exhibit antibiotic activity and may also act as anti-neoplastic drugs. Externally for treating wounds and stopping the flow of blood. Yarrow oil has been traditionally used in hair shampoos. Some caution is advised , large or frequent doses taken over a long period may cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight.

Common, but pretty, especially when you look carefully up close at the wee florets: Common Yarrow.

Stocking up

No frost/no overnight freezing last night, but yesterday afternoon while out in the woods with Karl, it seemed like this guy or gal thought NOAA might be right.

This squirrel was furiously running to and from a pile of pinenuts – carrying the loot, one nut at a time from one end of the log to somewhere inside – all of the time keeping a wary eye on me and occasionnally stopping to chitter at me. He or she was determined not to let me get in the way of the stocking up process even though I got quite close.

I have mixed feelings about squirrels – They annoy Karl and I…dropping stuff on us, chittering, teasing and generally being noisy. But they are agile and I admire their speed and athleticism. Karl, not so much…see Dog and Squirrel , but he was some ways away, intent on some other thing of interest in the woods.

I finally got tired of teasing this squirrel with the camera and left it to finish stocking up.

In Jest

Horsemint, bee balm and some other genus name go with this wildflower, another that can get out of hand apparently, but this is the first time I remember seeing it and I’m pretty sure I’d remember it as it makes me laugh. They look silly – like a court jester’s hat – which is what I’ve been calling them in my head until I finally looked them up yesterday.

I read briefly about bee balm…that’s the name I like, but I’ll probably remember horsemint… – it has medicinal uses:

Bee Balm is edible and medicinal, the entire plant above ground is edible used as a pot herb, and it is also used as a flavoring in cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. The plant is noted for its fragrance, and is a source of oil of thyme. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing aromatic and medicinal tea. An infusion of young Bee Balm leaves used to form a common beverage in many parts of the United States.

Bee Balm leaves and flowers and stems are used in alternative medicine as an antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. An infusion is medicinal used internally in the treatment of colds, catarrh, headaches, and gastric disorders, to reduce low fevers and soothe sore throat, to relieve flatulence, nausea, menstrual pain, and insomnia. Steam inhalation of the plant can be used for sore throats, and bronchial catarrh (inflammation of the mucus membrane, causing an increased flow of mucus). Externally, it is a medicinal application for skin eruptions and infections. Bergamot’s distinctive aroma, found in both the leaf and flower is wonderful for use in potpourri.

It appears to be something of a cure-all.

They have been blooming for some time and continue. At the moment, they are the only thing of color. But, I might just pick a few for my desk – a minty fragrance and a look that makes me laugh would be just the ticket for a Monday morning!

Photo taken 7/19/2010 at the edge of my woods

Buzzin’

The schedule has been a bit full this week…all of that celebratin’ and work and walks and stomach rubs and yikes, it is Friday! I thought of this photo (from 6/21/2010) this morning as I like it and it matches my head which is buzzin’ with things to do.

Happy Friday and a good weekend to all!

Summer is back

Summer heat is back – Montana’s version of summer heat, anyway.

Hot enough for us.

But beautiful!

Still, a little shade is nice.