DeBardeleben Photography

Category: Updates from the Studio

  • Garden Studio Maintenance

    Keeping Your Garden Going

    A Garden Studio is a wonderful addition to any home. It can be used as a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, grow your own food, or simply admire the beauty of nature. However, keeping a garden going is an ongoing task. Each season brings new challenges, and it’s important to be prepared.

    Summer

    During the summer, the biggest challenge is keeping your garden hydrated. The sun can make it very hot, and if you don’t have adequate water, your plants will start to wilt. There are a few things you can do to keep your garden hydrated in the summer:

    • Water your plants deeply and regularly.
    • Mulch around your plants to help retain moisture.
    • Plant drought-tolerant plants.
    • Install a drip irrigation system.

    Fall

    In the fall, the weather starts to cool down, but it’s still important to keep your garden watered. The cooler temperatures will cause the soil to dry out more quickly, so it’s important to water your plants more often. You can also start to prepare your garden for winter by:

    • Deadheading your flowers.
    • Cutting back your perennials.
    • Covering your tender plants.

    Winter

    In the winter, your garden will go dormant. This means that your plants will stop growing and may even lose their leaves. However, it’s still important to check on your garden regularly and make sure that it’s not too dry. You can also fertilize your plants in the winter to help them prepare for spring.

    By following these tips, you can keep your garden going all year long. A garden is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air. With a little bit of care and maintenance, you can enjoy your garden for many years to come.

    Adding Flora and a Watering Station

    Adding flora and a watering station to your garden is a great way to attract birds and other wildlife. Birds love to eat nectar and insects, so planting flowers and shrubs that attract these creatures is a great way to bring them into your garden. You can also add a birdbath or bird feeder to your garden to provide birds with a place to drink and eat.

    A watering station is also a great addition to your garden. This will allow you to water your plants and flowers easily, and it will also provide a place for birds and other wildlife to drink water.

    By adding flora and a watering station to your garden, you can create a beautiful and inviting space for yourself and for the creatures that share your home.

    Here are some tips for choosing plants that will attract birds:

    • Choose plants with bright colors and fragrant flowers.
    • Choose plants that produce nectar and fruit.
    • Choose plants that are native to your area.
    • Plant your flowers in a sunny spot.
    • Water your plants regularly.

    Here are some tips for creating a watering station:

    • Choose a location that is shady and sheltered from the wind.
    • Fill a shallow dish or basin with water.
    • Place the watering station in a spot where birds can easily access it.
    • Change the water regularly.

    By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and inviting garden that will be a haven for birds and other wildlife.

  • May at the House of Zen

    May was a quiet month at the House of Zen.
    We spent most of our time preparing for summer, planting, yard cleanup, and pool maintenance.
    We planted various flowers to attract Hummingbirds, we spent a few weekends cleaning up the yard, weeding, trimming the hedges, and mowing the lawn.
    We can’t wait to spend lazy days swimming and gathering poolside!

    We did manage to get out for Dam Day.
    On May 13, 2023, the Wachusett Reservoir Dam was open to the public for a rare opportunity to walk across the top of the dam and enjoy the views of the reservoir.
    We were excited to take advantage of this opportunity and get some great shots of the dam and the surrounding area.
    We arrived at the dam early in the morning, before the crowds had arrived.
    We were able to find a parking spot and walk up to the dam without having to wait in line.
    The dam is an impressive structure, and it was amazing to see it up close.
    We spent some time walking along the top of the dam, taking in the views of the reservoir and the surrounding countryside.

    After we had explored the dam, we took some time to walk around the reservoir.
    The reservoir is a beautiful place, and it was great to be able to see it from a different perspective.
    We saw a variety of wildlife, including Hawks, ducks, geese, and herons.

    We had a great time visiting the Wachusett Reservoir Dam on Dam Day.
    It was a unique opportunity to see this impressive structure and enjoy the beauty of the area.
    We would definitely recommend visiting the dam if you have the chance.

    In addition to getting ready for summer, we also started thinking about our plans for 2024.
    We are considering putting together a calendar of our photography.
    We are planning a trip to the West Coast to do some nature photography.
    We will keep you updated on our plans!

    We hope you had an excellent May!

    We are looking forward to a busy and productive summer.

  • Studying Nature Through Trail Cams

    The use of trail cams has been an invaluable tool for me to study wildlife such as bobcats and coyotes.
    It has allowed me to observe their natural behavior up close without causing any disruption, providing a unique insight into their lives.
    As a wildlife enthusiast, I feel grateful to have this opportunity to learn more about these fascinating creatures and contribute to the conservation efforts for their species.

  • Still hanging around

    It’s been a few weeks since we last checked in on the bobcats who have been frequenting the Garden Studio, and we’re happy to report that they’re still visiting and seem to be enjoying themselves.

    As a reminder, the Garden Studio is located on the outskirts of a residential property. It’s a cozy and peaceful space, surrounded by trees and foliage, and it seems to be the perfect spot for bobcats to rest and relax.

    Over the past few months, the bobcats have been spotted on several occasions lounging in the Garden Studio. They seem to be completely at ease in the space, and have even been caught napping inside.

    One of the most interesting observations has been the behavior of the bobcats around the property. They seem to have become quite comfortable with the presence of humans, and have been spotted exploring the surrounding area during the day. They’ve even been seen walking along the driveway, seemingly unbothered by the nearby houses and people.

    While it’s always exciting to see wildlife up close, it’s important to remember to give them their space and avoid interfering with their natural behaviors. The bobcats in the Garden Studio seem to have found a peaceful haven, and we’re thrilled to be able to observe them from a respectful distance.

    We’ll continue to keep an eye on the bobcats in the Garden Studio and report any further developments. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to appreciate the beauty of nature and do their part in preserving it.

     
     
     

     

     

  • Wildlife and Trail Cams

    Here at the House of Zen we love and respect nature and wildlife.
    Our Garden Studio is full of trail and surveillance cameras we use to monitor wildlife.
    We have Coyotes, Bobcats, foxes, deer, raccoons, opossums, fishers, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks passing through the area at any given time.
    We even have the occasional black bear wander through.
    This is all very thrilling and just a joy for us to watch.
    Of course, most of these animals come through at night while we’re sleeping, thus the monitoring cameras.
    It is worth noting that the Bobcat is frequently seen during the day. 
    Videos from the trail cam as well as some videos from photo-scouting hikes can be found on our youtube channel My Channel

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    RaccoonCoyoteDeerCoyote

  • New Year, New Visitor

    We had a new visitor to the Garden Studio here at the House of Zen.
    This little guy has a lot of red highlights and is considerably smaller than the other Eastern Grey Squirrels around the Studio.

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