Posted at 09:01 AM in Travel Out of Texas | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
* Wednesday night the forecasts called for snow, by Thursday morning that had changed. Weather expert Stan Blazyk of the Galveston Daily News writes that it can't be completely ruled out yet, but "there are many unknowns."
Update 12/11: The Chronicle's SciGuy is now reporting on the potential for additional snow in the Houston Area.
Gambel's Quail in New Mexico last week
I missed the last snow because I was in New Mexico again. (I'll explain why pretty soon.) But two different extended Houston forecasts tonight, Wednesday, give high chances of snow for December 18th or 19th! I know extended forecasts are unreliable, but I'm excited anyway. Since it might change, I figure I ought to enjoy the possibility while I can.
It snowed on us in New Mexico last week, and it was really pretty, but I'm dying to experience snow at home. I've missed the last three of three.
In 2008 when we were away during the snow, our plants didn't get much damage at all. This time we had a lot of leaf damage, but only some herbs, peppers, begonias and coleus were total losses. The top survivors were shrimp plants, crotons, and camellias. They look every bit as content as before the frost.
Still alive but begging to be put out of its misery: A bed of lantana in our front yard looked spray-painted black. I've been wanting to replace it, and this was the motivation I needed. I dug them up today.
The red leaves are from our sweet gum.
Posted at 09:05 PM in My Garden, Travel Out of Texas | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I'll get back soon to writing about the Bosque del Apache, but here's a quick look at what's happening in my garden right now:
Our very first satsumas were ready just in time for Thanksgiving. We planted the tree last spring and removed most of the fruit early because it was too heavy. The only three that we left came though spectacularly. (The banana peppers are probably the last for the year.)
We also have lots of food for the birds. We have an exceptional amount of acorns and yaupon berries this year. Has anyone else noticed an explosion in acorn numbers? I think we still have so many yaupon berries left because the squirrels are occupied with the nuts.
The nandinas are also heavy with berries, but they're mostly for looks. Nothing ever seems to eat them.
Many flowers are also coming into their own now that the weather is cooler.
The pineapple sage is at its peak and covered with bees.
And our 'Yuletide' camellias are already set for Christmas. We planted these to replace an old ligustrum hedge that died after Ike. What a happy improvement!
I hope you and yours had a very blessed holiday.
Posted at 10:14 AM in My Garden | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 03:48 PM in Holidays | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I'm back now, and, whoo-ee, I have a lot to show you.
Last week at the Bosque del Apache near Socorro, New Mexico, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate a spectacular yearly event: The visit of thousands of sandhill cranes that spent their summer in Canada.
The cranes start to arrive along the Middle Rio Grande Valley in late October, but their numbers grow more impressive toward the end of November. We visited the bosque (Spanish for forest) after the cranes began to arrive but before the other twitchers (British for birdwatchers) became too numerous. That meant that we missed some wonderful activities at the yearly Festival of the Cranes. Even so, it was very special to have so little human traffic during our time there. The roads in the refuge are unpaved, so dust can be an issue, in addition to the more common ones, such as noise.
As we stopped to photograph one group, another group would come from elsewhere.
Sometimes they landed as gracefully as any bird I've ever seen.
At other times, it was difficult to tell what was happening.
Once they were on the ground, they seemed as comfortable as if they were our hosts. Sometimes they even walked along with us on the road. (Okay, they were usually walking ahead of us, but they usually seemed at ease.)
My favorite part about my experience of them, however, was their calling to each other.
You can hear them in this video taken by my husband:
(We also have an HD widesreen version on YouTube.)The cranes are the star attraction in the Bosque del Apache this time of year, but we also saw many other fascinating birds and other creatures. Stay tuned for swarming snow geese, demure quail, vibrant pheasants, and much more.
Posted at 11:25 PM in Travel Out of Texas, Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Can anyone guess which wildlife refuge I just visited?
I'll post much more about it in coming days.
_________________________________________________________________
In response to Cheybean:
They're coots and geese in the above photo. Cranes were in the area
too. And there is an upcoming festival to celebrate the arrival of the
cranes.
Posted at 11:21 AM in Travel Out of Texas, Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
If you don't eat your fruits and veggies . . .
(I wish I could take credit for creating these, but they're a neighbor's.)Clay Carrington of the Nature Conservancy points out in his article "Halloween doesn't have to be an econightmare" that the compost bin is a fine destination for old pumpkins.
Posted at 05:57 PM in Holidays | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I have found coleus to be a festive plant for holiday decorating and usually bring in cuttings from my favorites anyway, in case we have a freeze. They will root in water alone, but I've found they stay healthier in soil. If they happen to get spider mites, I wash the leaves thoroughly in the sink.
Mixing red and green succulents together would be pretty too.
I'd love to hear your gardening gift ideas. Please write them in below.
Posted at 06:09 PM in Holidays, Methods | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)



Posted at 07:30 PM in Methods, Pests/Invasives | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
recent rains encouraged some flash-flowering by others. The Tahitian wedding veil appeared like a blanket of stars in the gloom.
We also had many mushrooms we've never seen before appear overnight. All three of these varieties were much better-behaved visitors than the yellowish, mushy ones we've had before. I enjoyed these as much as flowers.
This brand new crown of thorns seems to be adjusting to its new surroundings despite the odd weather. I knocked off its nursery peat as Cindy of From My Corner of Katy suggested, and I really think that helped.
This Brugmansia bloom seemed happy near the ground, showing off its elegant texture.
We have many colorful blooms this week too, but the above held up best through the recent deluges.
Posted at 10:16 PM in My Garden | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
