Breckenridge Real Estate - Living with the Summertime Creatures and Loving the Hummingbirds
Remember years ago landscaping was not a issue, people just enjoyed the wild grass and wildflowers. Well, those days are over. Landscaping is everywhere and it is upscale and expensive. Flowers beds, hanging baskets, plants and wildflowers galore. I have fallen into the landscaping money pit. Year after year I buy perennials and year after year my flowers are decapitated by the chipmunks, ground squirrels, dear, moose, and elk. Breaks my heart when I see my columbines in the morning just after they bloomed and come back by mid-day and their little blooms are gone.
I keep trying to have grass or something that resembles grass, I keep it moved, watered and fed just to find the voles have driven lanes of travel through all of my hard work. These little lanes of travel drives my Yorkie crazy! When he is out in the yard his head is down to the dirt and he tries to dig his way into their homes. I heard that if you put pure peppermint oil on a cotton-ball and put into the hole, it will drive them away, I FOUND NO TRUTH IN THAT.
This year with all of the moisture I have found a lot of different types of mushrooms in my yard. You need to keep the dogs away from them, they can poison your animal and there is not much of a treatment for it.
I read an article the other day that there is evidence of reduced hummingbird numbers in 2011. I actually noticed that I did not have as many as I have enjoyed in years past. To the author's knowledge, no studies or explanations have been offered regarding the lower numbers. It has been suggested that weather may be a contributing factor. The abnormally severe cold weather in Arizona in early February 2011 may have had an effect on the Northbound hummingbirds that migrate through Arizona on their way here. I hope that the weather will be easier on my humming friends, I can't wait until their return. 
Laura Russette
Office Administrator
970.453.0550 Office
970.453.4484 Fax
Email: TenPeaks@SothebysRealty.com
Website: www.TenPeaksSothebysRealty.com
