Month: February 2025

Chilly Workday

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

It was chilly and misting on this month’s Wildscape workday. If you were wearing the right clothing, the weather was refreshing. 

Amazing workers showed up and accomplished all chores for this month. Neil cleared Rock Rose from around the frog pond, Carolyn removed the Cypress vines from the arch where most want the Malabar Spinach to be again. Kim and Patricia pruned bushes and hauled away debris as Debra was again an expert pruner of the Gulf Muhly and other grasses. New student, Terri tackled plants including Sage and Passion vines. We all cut down the Turk’s cap. 

The mighty workers.

Most plants, bushes and trees are leafing out just in time for the next freeze. 

So Many Grackles

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

By Pamela Neeley

On February 2, 2025, I was working in my studio with the doors open when I heard chattering coming from the sky.

Grackles with bonus Black Vultures

The Common Grackles were flying over.

I witnessed three waves of hundreds of birds soaring overhead from east to west, around 5:30 pm. Some stopped briefly in the treetops, while others kept going.

Each group flew over slightly south of the previous group.

Wildscape Has a New Bench

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

We were able to make a quick trip to the Wildscape during a warm day. Gary Johnson, friend of the Wildscape, delivered the new bench which he made from a free queen headboard and old wood. He also attached a panel to the “portal” which will be covered in coral honeysuckle. 

The new bench
Kitty loves the wildscape
The portal

The next workday will prepare the garden for Spring and new native plants. Still green were Evergreen Sumac, Southern Wax Myrtle, Skeleton Leaf Goldeneye, and Nolina. 

Visit the garden and search for Winter creatures.

Snow Geese!

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Eric Neubauer

Yesterday I saw a flock of maybe 100+ snow geese fly over. They were heading west toward Granger Lake, but I suspect they were looking for former corn fields rather than water.

Photo by David Dibert on Pexels.com (Eric didn’t get photos, so enjoy these)

This was the first time I saw any since moving to Texas, but I used to see them in Pennsylvania this time of year and recognized them easily. There they came in waves, 500 to 1,000 at a time.

Photo by Raymond Eichelberger on Pexels.com

The percentage of blue phase individuals was a few percent, same as in Pennsylvania.

(PS: Sue Ann reports that she saw and heard some last week as well, which was a welcome surprise.)

Seed Packaging Is Going Great

Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall2 Comments

by Linda Burgess

WOW! On Tuesday afternoon, 17 volunteers working together (Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners) enjoyed our united project and friendship as we packaged seeds for the Seed Library (located in the Cameron Public Library).

I know it’s been cold, but this next week’s weather will get us excited as we plan for Spring planting.

We have free seeds available to the public at the library, and also don’t forget about the Master Gardeners’ Plant sale coming up on Saturday, March 1st.