Dan McCulloughI’ve been trying to photograph this little houdini for a month now. You know… see it, grab camera, focus, tee-hee, fly off. Rinse and repeat.
Had to settle for “through the kitchen screen.” Will have to do for now.
[Black and White Warbler]
Alex Haist@danmccullough excellent ruffled feathers
@alexhaist There’s a thin, sunny strip between the back of my house and the edge of the woods that ascends up a steep hill with sassafras and small birches to perch on. The birds just love to preen and fluff up here - whether it be in the branches or taking a dirt bath directly below.
It’s like the local bath house. 🤭
@danmccullough with fruit loop and wintergreen scents from the trees to perfume their feathers
@alexhaist You had me at fruit loop. 🤭
@danmccullough I want to start a sassafras grove somewhere in our yard... I love them.
@danmccullough (so far no luck. The rocky poor quality soil isn't exactly their thing.)
lfisk@alexhaist @danmccullough Your ground is likely good enough...
There use to be some (Sassafras) growing along the Rail-Trail where I'd often turn to come back. There were Prickly Pear Cactus growing within feet of them.
Ground was kinda nasty there due to it being an old railroad right of way...
@lfisk @danmccullough we are on old farmland. It should be good enough! But sassafras also hate being transplanted. So far, they have just died tragically.
Jer 🚲@alexhaist @lfisk @danmccullough
"Oh, wilt is me!" it collapses, a leaf to brow.
@alexhaist @danmccullough Excerpt from old Michigan Trees Book:
HABITAT
Prefers well-drained, stony or sandy soil; woods; abandoned fields; peaty swamps.
NOTES
Rapid of growth. Suckers freely. Difficult to transplant. Propagated easily from seed. Oil of sassafras is distilled from the roots and bark.
Maybe try finding some seeds to plant🤔
@lfisk @danmccullough seeds should be doable...