Protected: Tracts for Block Grant application, Hurricane Helene 2026-05-11
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Author Archives: John S. Quarterman
Heron in cypress in pond 2026-04-26
Happened to see a heron land in a cypress tree.
![[Movie: Heron landing (52M)]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-04-26--heron-in-tree/20260426_124437.jpg)
Not the usual heron tree; one to the east.
I’m pretty sure it’s a Great Blue Heron. Those and anhingas are all that usually nest in the middle of the pond.
I was assisted by Blondie (mysteriously not filthy) and Honeybun (not visible).
Here is some video:
Almost dry pond 2026-04-25
After chainsawing through late deadfall aftereffects of Hurricane Helene (trees weekend by that storm and blown down later), I took these pictures of the pond.
It’s very low. We’re in a drought, in case you haven’t heard.
![[Very low pond, 2026-04-25 --jsq for OPF]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-04-25--pond/20260425_124424.jpg)
Very low pond, 2026-04-25 –jsq for OPF
Here’s a video:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/822238487605857/
No dogs this time. They find chainsawing boring.
No Gretchen, either. She ran away to the frozen north. Something about baseball and trains. Continue reading
Gardening Dogs 2026-04-05
Can’t garden without dogs.
![[Blondie, Sky, Gretchen and her shadow River]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-04-05--gardening-dogs/20260405_092002.jpg)
Blondie, Sky, Gretchen and her shadow River
Honeybun was nearby somewhere.
-jsq
New laptop fan 2026-04-09
I kind of liked the catchy tune the old, failing, fan made, but here’s the new fan ready to go in.
![[New fan ready to go in]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-04-09--laptop-fan/20260409_090832.jpg)
Not only is the laptop quieter now, but it seems to run better. Maybe not getting overheated with both fans working.
-jsq
Bird nest on porch shelf 2026-04-09
![[Bird nest on porch shelf 2026-04-09, Probably a wren, Dogs can't reach it]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-04-09--bird-nest-porch/nest.jpg)
Native coral honeysuckle 2026-03-28
This is a honeysuckle that is native to the southeast U.S.
![[Native coral honeysuckle, 2026-03-28 Lonicera sempervirens --jsq for OPF]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-03-28--native-honeysuckle/20260328_170554.jpg)
Native coral honeysuckle, 2026-03-28 Lonicera sempervirens –jsq for OPF
-jsq
Wild Azalea, Cinnamon Fern, Tulip Trees 2026-04-02
A stroll after breakfast into the Desolation of Helene.
![[Wild Azaleas]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-04-02--tulip-trees/20260402_083534.jpg)
I didn’t video many of the blown-down pines, oaks, maples, etc. Some of them I will saw later to re-open some of the paths. Hurricanes: I do not like them.
Meanwhile, there are native wild azaleas, sphagmum moss, crawfish, cinnamon fern, and a few still-standing tulip trees.
Plus muddy dogs, two of them visible; the other two showed up shortly. Continue reading
River in her bath and Sky in boots 2026-03-28
Two dogs went walkabout.
![[River in her bathtub]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-03-28--river-sky-bath/20260328_171640.jpg)
River mostly washed off in her bathtub.
Sky was still wearing mud boots. Continue reading
Sugarcane planted 2026-03-24
You saw the sugarcane in its winter bed and rows to plant it.
Well, it’s planted now.
![[Sugarcane planted, with Gretchen and Blondie]](http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/pictures/2026-03-24--sugarcane-planted/20260324_105843.jpg)
Sugarcane planted, with Gretchen and Blondie
-jsq