A Clear View~

Almost two-months since I've written a post!  Returning from Washington early October, the  following day, I started a part-time job, two days a week. Something new to learn & occupy a few of our upcoming cold winter days.  Five minutes from home & working at the local Optometrist office.  I'm taking after my Grandmother, who worked for  Dr. Purtzer in Greenfield, many years.  

Saw Whet Owl~

 After a few days of bitter cold (No bugs now!) & two light snows - mid-October - we've been experiencing a perfect Indian Summer!  Temperatures climbing into the mid-60's blue skies & light breezes.  I've spent these last weeks in the timber.  My Ryobi  Reciprocating saw in hand, fresh batteries, leather gloves & most days, Nika keeps me company.

Looking west, drying piles~

With the area between the backyard & creek done, it was the perfect time of year to take on the eradication of the bush honeysuckle.   Researching the plant, I did find the ones here, do Not have hollow stems or branches, but are solid all the way through.  I carried a bottle of Tordon with me & sprayed every cut thoroughly.  I expect it will take constant, vigilance for years, to kill any  sprout from either the stumps, or bird dispersed seed.

Our two additional lot's were totally invaded.  My goal was to clear the second (largest) to the west of the backyard & third (Cabin site).  The Naturalist at Pony Creek Conservation Center  encouraged me to; "just cut them down"!   My problem -  what to do with all the debris?  These bushes are more the size of small trees, many with bases over 6" in diameter & over fifteen feet tall. They produce literally hundreds of berries from just one plant.  I didn't bother to cut off the many branches, unless they were too big to carry.  I began making piles - until the piles were so high I'd have to start another.

The Clear View~

With 360 ft. of creek frontage alone, it's been a massive task. Sunday, I cut down the last!  I'd expected it would take a couple years, but the Sawzall made all the difference.  I went through at least a blade a week.  Two-weeks ago, I started burning the oldest pile from last year.  Butch taught me to light the propane torch.  It didn't take long to make a small pile of ash from all those branches.

Our Quail, from Rusty Birds~

At the Seattle Flower & Garden Show last year, I discovered Rusty Birds!  The perfect garden art for an area not fenced - yet - but mostly inaccessible. It's also freeze proof!  I have a wish list of little birds that I'll find places for here.

Southeast from the west end, brush piles along the trail.  Creek far right~

Behind our house the backyard drops away to another flat section, before dropping again to the area above the creek.  I'm still finding rusted barbed wire, broken glass, auto parts, even rusted tools.  Two trees have grown around sets of old bed springs & another roll of wire.  We've made three more trips to haul away the trash.  (Reminiscent of our early days on the Homestead.)

From the back deck~

 From street level, there's enough elevation change - most of the area isn't visible. I felt like the trees breathed a huge sigh of relief. I think the few that died have been the result of honeysuckle stealing the nutrients from the rich soil. It's as close to indestructible as any plant I've ever seen.

Southwest~

The weather held off long enough for me to get done with all but the burning. That will take a while! A friend gave me tree starts & I have plenty of places to plant things now!