Worx Grass Trimmer and Edger Is a Terrific Tool

I've never endorsed lawn equipment before, but it occurred to me that I have a product worth writing about. I received the Worx grass trimmer as a gift 4 years ago. It's lightweight and recharges easily.

I use it to trim around bushes and stumps, and along sidewalks. A charge lasts over an hour, and I'm usually ready to stop before the battery quits.

The 18 volt lithium battery doesn't have the battery memory issues. That means you can recharge it once you're done using it rather than wait until the battery is completely depleted. (The current model has an 20 volt battery.)

Restringing the Worx is easy with the (optional) preloaded cartridges. Just pop in a new one when the string runs out.

I recommended the Worx to my neighbor. She thanked me the other day after enjoying hers for over a year. That reminded me to post a blog about this terrific trimmer.

Below is a 2-minute manufacturer's video about the latest model Worx Trimmer.

Burrowing Crayfish: What's that mud hill near the ditch?

Burrowing Crayfish Mud Chimney

The Burrowing Crayfish creates mud columns or chimneys alongside ditches or in low-lying wet ground. The stack is formed as the crayfish pushes mud out of it's habitat tunnel. The chimneys near my home are along a ditch that ranges from a shallow mud puddle to a 2-foot deep creek. The crayfish live in underground water pools and mud. They are rarely seen because they are nocturnal. 

The Southeastern United States has over 300 crayfish species.

This 4-minute video shows a scientist catching a burrowing crayfish. At the end of the video, you get a good look at the crayfish.

Sources:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=665N7MKI5mM&autoplay=1&app=desktop

N.C. Cooperative Extension
 http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Ornamentals_and_Turf/lawn/note126/note126.html

N.C. Museum of Science
http://naturalsciences.org/research-collections/research-specialties/invertebrates/john-cooper

University of Illinois Extension http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=56

UNC Charlotte Publication
http://ui.uncc.edu/story/crayfish-streams-north-carolina-fishing

Eastern Phoebe Nest with Video

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe at Birdbath

I've always admired the Eastern Phoebe with its dark cap, white breast, and flicking tail. Imagine how thrilled I was to discover a nest on a gutter elbow under the roof of my home.

Phoebe nests are built with mud and vegetation. This nest utilized the abundance of moss in the yard.

Phoebe nest on gutter

The nesting pair communicates with short chirps. Even though it was 30 feet in the air, they did not approach the nest while I was observing. There appear to be 4-5 chicks.

Below is a 1 1/2 minute video showing the nesting phoebes being fed by their parents.

If you are watching from an iPad or other device, this video can be viewed here.

Phoebes are members of the flycatcher family. Their appetites for insects are welcome in this neighborhood.

The phoebe can also be heard making a wolf whistle. I have a lot of fun answering the whistle of  a bird at the end of my street.

In a previous post I've remarked on the distinctive call of the bird (fee-bee). A recording is available at that post. I have read that call is strictly for mating, and ceases once the bird finds a mate. As I’m writing, I can hear “fee-bee” so I suspect that’s not true.

Phoebe flies in to feed young

Parent Phoebe at nest

Carolina Wren: Another unusual location for a nest (video added)

Carolina Wren Nest Inside Topsy Turvy

I've written in previous posts about the Carolina Wren nesting in a milk jug and in a golf cart. This year, we found a nest in a retired Topsy Turvy. The Topsy Turvy is a hanging planter for tomatoes. We stored ours in the greenhouse. Leave it to the Carolina Wren to repurpose!

Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter

 I photographed the inside of the Topsy Turvy using my new Canon EOS Rebel T3i . I aimed the camera into the top of the tube, and swiveled the pop-out viewfinder so I could see the camera's view. This is a really nice feature!

                                                                       

Here's a 30 second video of a wren taking a bath on the deck.

Hummingbirds are back!(Video Included)

If you haven't put your hummingbird feeder out, now is the time to do it.

In North Carolina, the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return from Central America and Mexico in April. It's May 7th and I've seen hummers around my azaleas and deck feeder.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding from Butterfly Bush

Video showing Hummingbird Feeder activity

Hummingbirds are carnivores and devour insects. The nectar fuels their flying and is not their sole source of food.

Some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds winter along the Gulf of Mexico. There is even a small band that remains on the Outer Banks of North Carolina over winter. Since I live in North Carolina, I would love to hear more about this anomaly.

I found this website to be a good source of information on the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.