Milkweed survey 2021

Antelope-horns (Asclepias asperula) in our Meadow right now: 18!

What the lizard left behind

So James spotted these yesterday. They're at least four eggs that had just been deposited by a Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus). I must have scared the mama off while I was planting some salvias in a nearby bed. We vacated the premises in hopes that she'd return. But she didn't. So I brushed the dirt back over the eggs for her. Looking forward to meeting you, little ones!

Prairie nymph

My parents have lived at their Kendall County home since nearly the mid 1980s. In all the years of visiting, I never noticed this beautiful wildflower bloom until just a few years ago. It's called prairie nymph (Herbertia lahue), In April 2018, I dug up three and transplanted them into our yard. So far, one has survived but hasn't bloomed. Meanwhile, I got some photos of one or two in bloom at Mom's house this week. So breath-taking!

Yellow-headed blackbirds

I was in the garage awhile ago, working on seeds. Suddenly, a HUGE flock of blackbirds flew from some live oaks across the street into ours. I stepped outside and couldn't believe my eyes. HUNDREDS of them! Then I saw some yellow heads. "You came back!" I hollered. Off I ran to get James and next my camera. I've only seen yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) in Blanco twice since I've lived here. One time was just down the street in some neighbors' live oaks. Such an awesome sight to witness! Here's a video....

And then a little blooper (below) for fun....

Birdbath visitor!

It's a rainy, gray day here today. We're praying for much needed rain this afternoon. A bit ago, I happened to glance out our dining room window. "Look!" I told James. I ran for my big camera and got one good shot before he/she flew off. A Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii). 

 

New additions

New plant friends from Linda Chang: Evergreen sumac (Rhus virens), Bracted passionflower (Passiflora affinis), narrow-leaf coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia).

New plant friends from the Blanco Master Gardeners plant sale: trailing pink salvia, four heirloom irises (purple) from Germany and a sedum.

New plant friends from a recent Blanco plant swap: salvia, two tomato plants and a Clematis sp.

Flame acanthus pruned hard

Yesterday I cut back our old flame acanthus HARD. Nearly to the ground. After the blizzards, many of the branches were dead and woody. We'll see how it responds. I think it will come back nicely.

Found what I thought was a beetle burrow...

Nope!

Here's an after photo.

The first of three acanthus I cut back is in foreground.

This afternoon, I pruned three more flame acanthus.