Catherine Johnson – Page 5 – Nature Along the El Camino Real

Dog Days at the Wildscape

August 15, 2024 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Kim and I were at the Wildscape from 7:0O PM- 8:00 PM to water plants and tidy up for the upcoming full moon event, Monday, August 19, at 6:30 PM.

*Sideoats Grama, the State Grass of Texas.*

For the most part Texas natives have held up amazingly well with minimal attention. In cooler weather, the garden will be groomed and new plantings put in. We noticed it felt cooler with a breeze blowing and decided to do no more weeding until the Dog Days of Summer are over.

Pictured are some of the toughest Texas Natives – Sideoats Grama, Blackfoot Daisy, Gaillardia, Salvia, Kidneywood, and the garden mascots.

Wildscape and Bird Station News

August 8, 2024 Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall1 Comment

by Catherine Johnson

We acquired several benches and chairs from Marketplace for the Wildscape and delivered them at noon, which is not as hot as later in the day. Many pollinators were flying around, including hummers.

Kim Summers and I went back late evening to water and stayed until 8:00 pm, resting by the big fountain in the shade, while Cindy Rek told us about the Rio Grande Turkeys being delivered to Bird and Bee Farm, where our projects are located.

Pictured are the new pathways in the birding station that Gene Rek has been working on. We also placed 100-year-old furniture in the Bird Station, which Ann Collins chose.

Pictures also show new beds, which will allow native birds to enjoy plants that are watered by a drip system.

We are excited to be viewing all at our full moon Wildscape Celebration later this month: Monday, August 19, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Guests are welcome.

The Colony

July 11, 2024 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

I decided to let Barn Swallows build another nest on the upper deck of my house this year. One group of three successfully flew away and stuck around as seen in the pictures of them on the power ines. We were hoping we could clean the deck as it also holds my daughter’s mini greenhouse and a seating area.

Mom had her second batch in a few days as seen in up close pics. We hope to install a swallow nesting structure, but nothing will be safer than where they are. We did add a fan that blows air under the nest.

Mom and Dad fed the first bunch on the power lines until they began to fly out to meet the parents and take the food. Then they hunted for short periods low to the ground and one day they flew away to find, I believe, the nearby pond. They are back now with their parents overlooking the siblings and the new colony.

Wildscape Workday

June 29, 2024June 28, 2024 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

The best time to work in the Milam Wildscape is after 7:00 p.m. at this time. Everyone was ready to leave on a recent Saturday at 11:00 a.m. However, Phyllis, Patricia, Dorothy, Carolyn, Kim, Jackie, and Catherine accomplished some specific tasks of pruning, eliminating aggressive vines and harvesting excess plants.

Gene showed us the new major Bird Station in progress which will have water and native grasses and berries. Ann Collins is the coordinator and looks forward to future educational programs.

Wildscape Facelift

May 13, 2024May 12, 2024 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

The Wildscape had a major facelift thanks to the Reks and employee Brandon.

Upcoming events include a full moon gathering to observe moths and nature at night. The improved space will be easier for people to walk thru each month learning about the Master Naturalist program.

Birds have built nests in the mailboxes and the Mason bees are active.

The pictures include our State grass, Sideoats Grama. It is a short clump grass that provides nutrition for wildlife and erosion control. It is drought tolerant, with oat-like seeds and orange and purple flowers.