Happy St Patrick's Day, from this granddaughter of an Irishwoman.
Saturday morning was beautiful, no biting insects yet, bright sun, no jacket.
I noticed the pair of mallards I've seen on the pond were absent, and if you study those blobs out of reach there, on the opposite bank, basking, you'll see why.
A squadron of snapping turtles, dangerous to ducks. Not a worry to the pair of Canada geese who eyed me suspiciously. They're probably nesting here, favorite place.
And a pair of red tail hawks overhead, making large lazy circles in a dance. They're known for staying around and this is their territory, good hunting for small mammals and occasionally birds, but that's usually when they're hungry in winter and mammals are harder to find.
Then there's the pair of mourning doves meeting on the fence. And other signs of spring.
Back home I made a start on what is probably going to be a potholder. My stash is limited, but I have some good options.
It already feels quiltish, so that's nice, not being a quilter. I started with this idea, two solid pieces, no fancy piecing, to get the hang of it.
I'm working in hand since my hoops don't cope with this thickness, the screws not long enough to work. But it's all good.
I'll take your word for it on the snappers - even with my specs on I couldn't tell rocks from turtles :) I love that fabric!
ReplyDeleteMy comments are informed by living here, and knowing those dark bits were not there a couple of days ago. Also that all our waters are packed with snappers! There was one making its way up my street one year, clearly on its way to water somewhere.
DeleteLove the tweet from Chaucer! Such a modern kind of guy, lol!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, isn't it :)
DeleteI like the idea of being a star dancing in a hopeful sky. Stars come in all shapes and sizes, after all;-)
ReplyDeleteTerrapins are a nuisance in our ponds and lakes. People tip them out when they grow too large or too troublesome and they play havoc with the wildlife.
These snappers are wild, but I hear you on abandoned pets who don't belong in the wild.
DeleteThere are two hawks in my yard this morning, calling out. Perhaps they are looking for love. Or squirrels.
ReplyDeleteI think your potholder is going to be lovely.
Why not both? I'm liking this bit of quilting fun.
DeleteGood looking potholder there. I can't believe how many snappers there are there! Don't they have any predators who can keep the population under control? I bet they eat all the fish too.
ReplyDeleteWe have many waterways, and many animals in them. I don't know who are predators of snappers unless maybe hawks.
DeleteI really like the fabric you are using for the pot holder. I do like the Chaucer tweet, very thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteThe "Chaucer" tweet is a nice reminder.
DeleteI could use some new pot holders and using old cotton towels for the batting is a great idea. I just so happen to have old towels I use for rags and mopping up large spills. I'll use my machine though.
ReplyDeleteThere you go! I was wondering what I could use, not being interested in buying, and the batch of cut up towels fitted the bill.
DeleteIt's looking springy in your world! Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Top o the morning to you!
DeleteLove all your wildflowers! Love the qayg project (turmeric dyes fabric pale green? Or do my eyes deceive me?)! And love the quote - "Worrye not about 'being productive', for thou art not a product".
ReplyDelete"Snapping turtles are most vulnerable when they are in eggs and newly hatched. At this stage they are preyed upon by foxes, coyotes, skunks, minks, fishers, raccoons, crows, herons, hawks, owls, bullfrogs, fish and snakes. Adult snapping turtles have very few predators but are sometimes attacked by river otters, bears and coyotes. In the southern United States, where their territory overlaps, snapping turtles are preyed upon by American alligators and alligator snapping turtles." https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/common-snapping-turtle
Chris from Boise
Turmeric dyes bright yellow. This group of snappers is in s sheltered spot, and I wonder if it's going to be a nursery of baby snappers, when they're very vulnerable. I don't know who could take out the adults, but we do have fox and coyotes.
Delete"Turmeric dyes bright yellow" - That's what I expected - just didn't see it in your photos.
DeleteSee the first of the sandwich pictures.
DeleteGood idea to use toweling, I only decided to practise my piecing and made a bath mat and used toweling. It lasted quite a while.. beautiful photos of the pond and sky above,
ReplyDeleteI like living where I do. Seasonal change right outside the door included. That was a good idea for a bath mat, not as likely to skid as batting.
DeleteThe fabric choice is very nice- mermaid-ish. Your photos of springtime , blue skies- fabulous! Hang on long enough and the seasons will become brighter just in time!! Finally have some sunshine up here! Pot holder- what a great idea- I have so much small fabric and tons of roving - Next project!
ReplyDeleteI think the pot holder is a good place to try out qayg.I'm learning from it.
DeleteToday’s fabrics go perfectly with the pond photos. We were paddling our canoe one day and I saw a dug suddenly disappear under the water. A little while later, I saw the huge snapping turtle. Disconcerting to say the least. Chaucer’s tweet is perfect for some recent conversations we’ve been having here at home.
ReplyDeleteA friend once stocked her pond with ducks, couldn't understand where they'd gone. Then saw, as you did, one vanish underwater. No more ducks.
DeleteI'm glad Chaucer was on target.
So nice to see things starting to bloom. We are not there yet.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good sturdy potholder
Cathy
Everything is starting to smell good.
DeletePoor ducks. Do you think they just left or did they meet a tragic end?
ReplyDeleteSnappers are fierce hunters. The ducks never stood a chance.
DeleteThe friend's ducks. Our local ones know all about snappers and no doubt are busy nesting somewhere else.
DeleteThe snapping turtles would be such a treat to see. We don’t have any turtles here. The ducks are fortunate.
ReplyDeleteI think they're freshwater animals, so perhaps not seen at the shore.
DeleteGood idea for potholders, quilting up some old wash clothes.
ReplyDeleteYour batik fabric will make a pretty potholder. Using a towel as batting... You are so clever.
ReplyDeleteSince I did it, I've found it's not unusual! So many people with the same idea.
DeleteThat’s quite a congregation of Snapping Turtles. I am quite sure I have never seen so many hauled out on the bank like that. As you point out they can pose a real danger to Mallards as they surge up from below and seize a leg, slowly dragging the unfortunate bird under. Such is the way of nature.
ReplyDeleteThey were only meeting briefly. I wonder if it was a political convention. All our counties are having them ahead of the primary.
DeleteThe birds are very wise to steer clear of waters that contain snapping turtles. We have them here too but never seen them in such numbers as what you showed. I love the batik fabric you're using for the potholder - methinks I have some in my stash somewhere.
ReplyDeleteWe get quite a few. Every log sticking out of water usually has a row of them.
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