Autumn has arrived and soon there will be children jumping into leaf piles. (At least I hope, if they are not glued to electronic devices indoors.) Yet there are other purposes for fallen leaves that are too profound not to share here in our October article, as gardeners prepare a crucial rest period for their
Happy Fall nature lovers. Ken Hall here , aka Bird Nut. I would like to share something that occurs each Spring and again in Fall, bird migration. Many folks will say, “what, bird migration?” That is because most birds make their travels between sunset and first light. Resting during the day. Visiting local feeders and
The planting season is upon us! Yes, you heard that right. Fall is actually a great time for planting a variety of things. If you have been planning to add new trees, shrubs, and various perennials to your garden, you may not have to wait until Spring. In fact, many plants will benefit from a
Hi all. Happy September. Ken Hall, aka Bird Nut, here again. After talking bees, spiders, and dragonflies, I’ve decided to return to my bird nut roots. Rather than talk of fleeting migratory, here today gone tomorrow birds, I’ve singled out a most common , frequently seen feathered friend. The Northern Flicker. Other than the fact
In the July issue I had mentioned I rarely go on a wander without discovering a new mystery to be solved, or researched. This held true again on a recent outing. This article has to do with those eight legged terrors known as spiders. We have all at one time walked directly into a spider
If you are a serious local gardener, by now you have seen them – metallic-green Japanese beetles descending on your garden, bringing destruction that few other pests can match. This can be a frustrating dilemma, but perhaps a brief discussion can bring some helpful options to consider. Japanese beetles were accidentally introduced to the Eastern
Cycling the streets of your neighborhood can be a great way to feel more connected to your community. Just ask lifelong cycling enthusiast and Wheat Ridge city council member, Jenny Snell. As the owner of a self-described “embarrassing” number of bikes (six, if you’re curious) and the sole-proprietor of the Wheelie Bean, a bicycle coffee
Being a self taught nature nut, I present myself with homework assignments frequently. My latest is what happens to me after a day of wandering about , staring up into trees. It’s as close as I can imagine the release some feel after deep meditation. Since I don’t do meditation, I will guess. Relaxed, a
Many gardeners are bringing new plants and fruit trees into their yards. If you are doing so, I want to share some important advice on plant selection. Experienced gardeners in Colorado know that our high, dry, intense and inconsistent climate presents unique challenges. Here in our area, we are classified as a newly updated USDA
Welcome to spring, nature lovers. Ken Hall here — normally known as the bird nut — but today I’m not talking birds, rather, the bees. Honeybees to be exact. April and May are big months for the Honeybee. Coming out of the hive hungry and looking for the first blooms of spring. The Clear Creek
In last month’s article, we discussed the goodness of “no-till” and why working less by ditching the tiller might be your best move yet! However, there is one more layer (pun intended) to this methodology which is inseparable from no-till; and that is mulching. 10 years ago, I adopted deep mulching methods in my permaculture
Hi bird lovers. Happy April. Ken Hall, aka Bird Nut here. The other evening I had the good fortune to meet two of the outstanding staff with The Neighborhood Gazette. I was presented with a question: “What made you interested in birding?” I had never pondered this question, and I’m very good at pondering. So
This year, it’s not the Lorax who speaks for the trees — it’s the Wheat Ridge Rotary Club. As part of its larger effort to maintain the beauty and charm of Wheat Ridge, the Rotary Club is piloting its Tree Scholarship Program. The program is set to offer 18 locals a free tree during Wheat
As Spring is quickly approaching, many gardeners may be thinking about how they will begin prepping, including the arduous task of tilling their soil once it warms up. Although this has been such a regular practice for many (including my family growing up), I would love to propose an idea that may be quite challenging:
Recent snowy weather has presented the perfect opportunity to dust off my snowshoes and hit the trails. One of my favorite winter gems is the Chief Mountain trail, located near the historic mining town of Idaho Springs, an hour’s drive from Wheat Ridge. The scenic drive to the trail is always a delight, presenting awe-inspiring
Welcome to almost Spring. If you’re a bird lover, March, April and May are the Holy Grail of bird watching. So many birds will be returning to Colorado to find mates and nesting sites, or as a stopover before moving on further north. Many of these birds bring beautiful songs as only nature can create.
Happy February nature lovers. Ken Hall, aka “Bird Nut” here. The new year has started out as a fantastic year for bird watchers. Many birds that I typically do not see in winter are showing themselves: Great Blue Herons, Wilson’s Snipe, (yes Snipe really do exist), Yellow Rump Warblers, Black Phoebe’s and many more. Another
If you are looking for a break from the hectic pace of I-70 ski traffic this winter, head to the historic mining town of Cripple Creek! Situated 9,494 feet in the mountains, with a population of just over 1,100 people, Cripple Creek is an excellent place to step back to a slower tempo to take
Lair o’ the Bear Park is a beautiful mountain retreat for those looking for a serene day out amidst the beauty of the Rockies. The park is 30 minutes from Wheat Ridge, 4 miles west of Morrison, near Idledale. The park comprises 394 acres with 8.2 miles of easy-to-moderate hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Bear
Ken Hall shares winter bird species to look out for as the seasons change. As many of our Spring and Summer bird friends have moved on to warmer climates, our Winter guests have arrived. Appearing to increase in species and numbers each day. Bushtits, Juncos, White Crowned Sparrows, and many more are too numerous to
“I’m going down to South Park Gonna leave my woes behind” Driving back from Aspen, my son and I took the awe-inspiring Independence Pass route that serpentines through the Sawatch Mountain Range of the Continental Divide, dropping down into Twin Lakes, the Upper Arkansas River Valley, then winding into the South Park Basin. My son
Hello to all. Bird nut here. Seems like I was just writing with excitement and anticipation of the spring arrival of many migratory summer visitors. Now I write of the exodus of literally millions of birds as they return to their winter habitats, some as far south as South America. I am particularly amazed at
As my eldest son Hudson and his lifelong friends embark on their senior year of high school this year, I cannot help but reflect on their journey. How have the remarkable amount of changes around what all of our students and educators went through in a COVID-19 world impacted them? Fast forward to today, going
“I recalled the places I had seen with my mother when I was a little boy – the mountaintop Buddhist retreats. There in the Colorado mountains, I tried to listen to the silence again – just as my mother had taught me. The investigation of the place became a kind of religious experience for me.”
