First hummers 2025

We were sitting at supper tonight and a black-chinned male hummer showed up at the feeder I’d put out two days ago. A second hummer arrived, and the two immediately started fighting. Let the games begin.

Stock tank update

This post is for Robert, who recently left a comment on "How we made our stock tank." As you can see, our plants have not yet greened up for spring. A few days ago, we brought up our one pot, which we lowered last year in the tank for overwintering. So the horsetail rush and lemon barcopa look really rough. 

Whittle down to one pot in the middle of the tank – that's what we had to do to keep critters from knocking them over, Robert. As for algae, we don't have a problem with that. Right now, the water is crystal clear. But it switches between murky and clear for reasons I don't know why. 

I look back on how our stock tank USED to look in past blog posts...so pretty! I miss that. But I don't want to give it up altogether so hence the lone pot of plants in the middle.

  

Goldie, one of our two original goldfish, is still with us. In 2023, I found the other one on the ground, lifeless and gray. Weird. In April 2024, I bought a new goldfish friend for Goldie. A few months ago, it just vanished. No clue where that one went. Probably a coon or bird, I guess. And yes, we still have some gambusia, too. 

First daffodil 2025

 

Yikes, what bit me?

Last week, while working on a puzzle at our dining room table, I felt a sharp prick on my right knee. Instantly, I reached down to scratch. When I looked at my fingers, I discovered a brownish stain on the tips. A brownish line of stain also marked my knee. In my fingers was the mangled remains, miniscule and dark colored, of an insect. Hmmm. Later, I concluded that a lacewing larva was the culprit. Maybe in the genus Chrysoperla. Less than 48 hours later, the bite site began to itch. Check out the photos!

 

On Bugguide.net, here's an interesting discussion on the topic: "How many of you have ever been bitten by a lacewing larva?" Naturally, I added my two cents.

A large lacewing larva from my files

 

Me and Dup

So I have acquired an uncommon malady called Dupuytren's disease in my left hand. I wouldn't post about it here, except that it has and will affect my ability to work in our native plant gardens. To learn more about Dup, my new partner in life, check out my blog, "Me and Dup." 

Suffice it to say that if the disease continues to progress (and it likely will), my hand will eventually contract. But I'm praying not! And Dup nodules are starting to show up in my right hand as well.  Yes, I am seeking treatment (which includes low radiation therapy); however, no there is no cure. So I am learning to adjust. First of all, I found what I hope will be optimum and well-padded gloves so I can still prune and ride my bicycle (don't give up on me, Waylon). For thicker stems and branches, I'm trying to use fingers on both  hands. James will have to trim thick branches, like turk's cap. Please say some prayers for my hands. I sure don't take them for granted any more!

January 21 snow!

Photos by James Hearn

 

Western polyphemus caterpillar

My daughter Lindsey has a sweet heart and fostered this chubby caterpillar in her San Antonio home during the recent freezing temperatures. We decided that it's a western polyphemus caterpillar (Antheraea culea). What I found fascinating is that this species hosts on oak leaves. Those are tough leaves! Below you'll see the videos she captured of the caterpillar gnawing on some. 

 

Her find also solves a mystery for me. In the past, I've found large frass (poop) scattered across our back patio under our live oak limbs. The pieces look like this one. I knew they had to come from caterpillars WAY up high on the leaves, but I have never come across one to confirm what kind. So my frassy friends may be this species?  Maybe someday one will visit me like Lindsey's friend did.