You may be lucky enough to see and hear winnowing snipe, killdeer, heron, geese or wood ducks feeding in or near the pond. Osprey, kingfishers, and mergansers are often seen in pursuit of fish. In the summer, swallows swoop effortlessly above the property. Red-winged blackbirds nest in the cattails, while coyotes and their pups wander the nearby rocks and can often be heard howling in the distance. A winter treat may be to see them pouncing on mice in the snow-covered meadow near the house. Kestrels, Red tail, marsh and sparrow hawks are often heard overhead and have been known to swoop down on the deck after unsuspecting small songbirds. A flock of 40-50 quail are usually nearby searching for seeds. In spring and summer deer are drawn to the garden where they enjoy rose buds and other delicacies.

In June through October you will observe many beautiful wildflowers in our meadow. Waves of blue wetland lupine interspersed with oxeye daisy, wild phlox, brown-eyed susan, and coneflower add interest and attract the birds and bees. In the fall the hills turn golden with the changing fall colors. The guestroom has a view of the garden, which is filled with vegetables and perennial flowers in the summer. Wildflower and herb bouquets are available upon request.

We have planted over 200 young trees on the property, including: forest pansy redbud, liquidamber, dawn redwood, giant sequoia, Russian olive, weeping pussy willow, carpathian walnut, sourwood, smoke trees, pine, spruce and cedar.