That Ball Of Leaves In Your Utah Tree Is NOT A Birds’ Nest
Ah, spring, the time when nature throws a fabulous party, and everything comes to life again!
Spring brings back the robins, bluebirds, and sparrows doing their aerial ballet around nests in our yards, laying eggs, and playing the role of vigilant parents. We've got nests popping up in our trees, and, of course, the not-so-adorable wasps' nests around our gutters. But those balls of leaves in your tree aren't nests for birds or wasps.
You spot a clump of leaves in a tree during spring, and you think, "Ah, a cozy bird's nest!" Well, don't bet on that cause you might be mistaken! Those leafy bundles are the VIP lounges of the animal kingdom, known as dreys.
According to the geography gurus at Geography Realm, these are the secret hideaways for squirrels. Picture a saucer-shaped, shallow leafy paradise where squirrels play hide-and-seek, raise their young, and enjoy a good nap, rain or shine.
But here's the kicker: dreys often start as nests. Squirrels don't let a good bird-made nest go to waste. They add a touch of leafy luxury, turning it into a drey fit for a squirrel king or queen. And bare branches? Pfft, those won't cut it for the squirrels. So, they pack on the leaves, turning dreys into the hottest springtime accommodations.
Now, if your birdfeeders are experiencing a squirrel invasion, take a peek at the trees in your yard. Odds are, you've got a drey, and your squirrels are planning their next buffet. Happy springtime squirrel spotting!
Allergy season has already begun.....and I'm feeling conflicted about it. On one hand that means spring blossoms will soon be everywhere and bright green new growth will be on the bushes and trees. But my eyes already itch...
Not being able to breathe is one of the worst things!
Of all the parts of allergies, I think not breathing is the most frustrating to me. You can't sleep, so trying to function through allergy and hay fever season is rough. So what can you do?
Obviously you can take meds, but those make me feel icky too. So I look for more natural ways to combat most things.
Here are the top 3 things you can do to help you breathe.
#1 Nasal Strips & Vapor Rub
This combo will knock out mild nasal blockage. It works great and feels good. Read all the directions and take care of yourself before bed. If you can do it again for a nap, even better!
And if you can find one of the vapor smelly stick things, they are wonderful! ♥
I would check the dollar store for the smelly sticks because I have found them there and I bought like 10 at once hahahah. They are THAT great.
Get a great one here - https://a.co/d/6wX2heK
#2 Essential Oil Diffuser
Don't knock it till you try it. They aren't that pricy and you can keep that eucalyptus smell going all night long. It also adds moisture to the air witch is great for your bronchial passages. There are plenty of oils you can choose from to help you feel better. *Bonus* You can use it year round for health and mood help.
Check this one out. It comes with a bunch of essential oils too! https://a.co/d/ay2zu5o
#3 Neti Pot
Just do it! I am telling you, it changed my allergy and sick life. It's like a small tea pot that you put some nasal salt in and tip into one side of your nose and you let it drain out the other nostril. I know it sounds horrible but I am telling you, if you can't breathe, this will be a game changer. And those are your top 3 hay fever hacks.
You can get an inexpensive, plastic one for travel like this- https://a.co/d/4fT4vvK
Get some nasal salt. This is my favorite. https://a.co/d/8I9Q54Q
These 3 actions give you something to do to feel like you are at least trying to fight the misery. *Bonus- keep some salve, Vaseline or ointment handy for your raw and very sore nose.
The new freeway wall on I-15 in Southern Utah isn't even all the way up yet and there is growing irritation circling on social media.
I must admit that when I first saw it going up I was sad. After the first day when a few concrete panels where up, I couldn't see Washington City and the mountains toward Zion like I wanted to.
It is gonna cut our view totally out for that stretch of freeway on the Washington corridor. Growth is hard. I really wish they would have done more of a half wall. A wall that doesn't totally cut out the whole view of our gorgeous Southern Utah landscape.
I am sure that the residents that live close to the expanded freeway are happy about cutting the freeway noise down at their homes.
I cannot find the original poster on Facebook. I took some screen shots and when I backed out of the comments section, it disappeared. Here are some comments on a post from the Facebook group, St George Word Of Mouth:
Some argue that the concrete walls don't actually cut the sound down, but just bounce the sound around and may even magnify it.
Although some seem to like the freeway noise, I can attest to air breaks being WAY TOO loud to sleep through.
The conversation is ongoing but I guess since the wall is already going up, we should look for the good.
I like that the designer didn't just leave them plain. Whoever paid for the upgrade to make them a little more artful, Thank You. I like the bluffs that are depicted instead of regular mountains or nothing at all. ♥
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