Barn Swallows

This was the first flight of the five nestling barn swallows hatched and raised in the barn. Each year one or two pairs of barn swallows returns to the barn. Last year, one pair stayed and had a second brood. The parents are up and eager to be out of the barn at first light and begin collecting insects for their nestlings. They remain out until twilight, still collecting insects.

 The aerobatics of these birds is remarkable--they maneuver to catch insects in flight, and work the interior of the barn like litlle helicopters, hovering and moving left and right to position themselves in the nest, which has remained the same for several years in one of several rafters.

 Although these birds looked exhausted after their first flight, they will be performing their own acrobatics within days, and following their parents closely "in training." All too soon, both parents and nestling will move out of the barn and onto to who knows where. It is one of the summer's landmarks, when the barn swallows leave...

The Geese presented 4 new goslings this morning...Happy Mother's Day!

Jerusalem Artichokes

I developed a bit of a love affair with the Jerusalem artichoke over the past season, and it continues on into the winter. Yesterday, I made a tuna salad wrap, using a peeled Jerusalem artichoke in place of the the celery I forgot at the grocery store. This had been in the vegetable drawer easily 2 months, and it was delicious.

The Jerusalem artichoke was something new to me last year, when I friend bought some at Whole Foods and explained what they were. Shortly thereafter, another friend and avid gardener asked if I wanted some of his that were sprouting. He pulled his up because they were very popular with some of the wildlife in his area, making a mess of his garden digging up the tubers.

What is a Jerusalem artichoke, or sunchoke? I am no expert, but these are a type of sunflower that grow many flowers--much like a daisy, and store food in a tuber or root throughout the season. The root will winter over and provide nourishment for the new flowers the following year, and produce more plants. In some ways it reminds me of an iris.

In addition to being one of the last veggies harvested in late November, it was also one of the last flowers standing. The Jerusalem artichoke can be eaten raw in salads, and has a flavor similar to a water chestnut, or can be boiled and eaten like a potato! 

 I'll be planting more next year :-)

 

Maine Self-Serve Veggie Stand

One of the things that is most endearing about Maine is that things that require trust in the community, still exist--like this self serve vegetable stand about 3 miles from my home. One evening, about 8:30 PM I stopped in because the "Open" flag was flying. There was no one there, and the refrigerator had kale, carrots, beets and cucumbers. A price list was on the white board. The instructions near the cash box indicated that personal checks were accepted in the box, and if you wanted something but were a little short, you were welcome to take the item and return with the cash later!!

In case you think this is an idealistic newcomer, the stand has been there for years. In addition, they are not alone--many people this summer had coolers at the end of their driveway with fresh eggs, and an envelope inside to put the cash in.  A small apple orchard on the Kennebunk/Lyman line sells cider, in season, from a self serve refrigerator in a small stand at the entrance to the orcherd.

 I would love to share that sense of trust and community with those who are unfamiliar and I'd like to think it is contagious, rather than something to be taken advantage of!