water – Nature Along the El Camino Real

Rain: All Creatures Need It

June 12, 2025 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Donna Lewis

Yes, it has been raining lately. And yes, it has been HOT! So let’s talk about our wild friends during the hot summer.

*At Sue Ann’s house, they got 8.11′ of rain last night. Frogs are very happy.* *Photo by Sue Ann Kendall.*

We love to put out bird seed, and other goodies for our friends, but the most important thing is water. Sometimes the closest water can be a great distance for the animals to travel. This means that providing a close water source is immelsely helpful. Keeping fresh water nearby could save the life of a baby bird, a baby bunny, and all of the wild things.

*A good example of water with a place to perch. Photo by Janice Carriger on Pexels.com*

Another thing to remember is that birds need a perch to light on. An especially important thing in wildscaping is to provide an arbor, a fence, or even a cattle panel propped up. I have been quite successful in bringing birds to our place, so I know what they like, which is water, a perch, food, and some shelter near all of these items. Shelter can be an evergreen bush or small tree. Safety from cats should also be considered.

*Be creative, like we have at the Milam Wildscape! Photo by C. Johnson.*

A sprinkler put out is heaven for my little hummers. I place the sprinkler near a fence lined with vines and they go crazy.

So don’t forget our friends; we need them.

*Maybe we don’t need as much rain as some of us got last night, but it is ALL appreciated. This is Walker’s Creek at County Road 140, now more like a river. Photo by Sue Ann Kendall.*

Water…All Creatures Need It

July 5, 2024July 5, 2024 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Donna Lewis

Once again, we are breaking records for the heat here in Texas and the world.

I think that this is the new normal. My opinion…

So, there are a few simple things we can do for the wildlife.

One, we can provide water for them. It can be more important than food.

Containers that are not too deep are best. Place the containers under some shade if possible. Dump old water out as often as you can, and put fresh water in. That will keep the mosquitos to a minimum.

Birds need a perch of some kind to feel safe. There are lots of things you use for this. You can use cow panels, trellis, and old tree limbs. Be creative.

Here are a few photos of water containers I use.

I also put the sprinkler on for about 30 minutes each day. They love that.

You will find many birds, mammals, and reptiles drinking from the water you provide.

Remember the little creatures we love.

Lisa’s Watering Hole

August 3, 2023August 2, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall2 Comments

by Lisa Milewski

During this heat, I have been filling the bird baths once or twice a day while enjoying watching the birds drink, splash, and bathe. So far, the birds I mostly see are cardinals, blue jays, northern mockingbirds, finches, house sparrows, mourning doves, white-wing doves, European Starlings, ruby throated hummingbird. Even the fox squirrel, cottontail rabbit, and bees seem to appreciate the water left out for them. Here are just a few that I have been able to get pictures of so far.

*White wing doves wait in line to get a drink and enjoy water.*

You don’t want to know my nickname for the doves. Let’s just say that I have to wash my driveway and car often.

*“Peter” the cottontail rabbit in his favorite spot sharing his water with “Jay” the blue jay*

Here’s “Rocky” the fox squirrel getting a good drink

I found that with these larger bird baths, it’s easier to fill them with rocks and top with soil and then place smaller bowls in them. This makes it a lot easier to clean them out daily and refill.

And here’s my favorite, “Ruby” the ruby throated hummingbird drinking from the hummingbird feeder.

Remember to wash out the bird baths and change hummingbird feeders daily or every other day in this heat. We want to help our friends, not make them sick.

Water Needs for Plants and Our Wild Friends

May 30, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall2 Comments

by Donna Lewis

Right now it’s 7:00 am and go outside to put up the bird feeders and fill up all the bird baths.

The birds are eagerly awaiting my food offerings. The mosquitoes are waiting just for me! I have to wear long sleeves that I hate.

Anyway, we need to remember our birds, bunnies and other critters need water that is accessible. Putting it under some shade helps keep yhrm a little cooler. Of course, that also gives the cats a place to hide and pounce. So, use common sense about water placement.

Bird baths should be varied in height. That gives everyone a chance to drink. Make sure to put a stone in the bottom so the babies don’t drown.

I fill all (10) of them every day. And people wonder why I have so many birds.

In the evening as a treat, I will put out a sprinkler in one area and leave it on for about 30 minutes. The birds go crazy and call all their friends. It’s great to watch them.

The morning is also a good time to water the plants in your garden.

Remember if you use sprinklers, you wash off the nectar on a plant which takes hours to replace. So, watering under the leaves and flowers is the best. I know it is not always possible to do that. In that case rotate the watering, so there is always nectar on some of the plants.

Don’t forget to place your hummingbird feeders under a shaded area and change it out every three days when it is hot. It’s always hot here in Texas.

I hope these tips help.

Remember who you are gardening for.

Another Drought and Watering Update

July 29, 2022 Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall1 Comment

Donna Lewis

Hello nature lovers…

I saw something this morning that was very sad and showed just how the weather and our actions as humans can help or harm the other living creatures that share our earth.

I had just gone out (7:00 am) to my garden to fill up all the bird baths and water containers that I have out to help the birds and other creatures find water. I also put out bird seed.

Just as I opened the gate, I looked across the garden to see a Cottontail rabbit standing on its hindlegs to drink from a bird bath that was half empty. Its little ribs were showing the impact of the drought… I was very moved by the sight of it. I was happy that I had many low-level water containers already out in different areas.

This is why we need to put out more water containers for wildlife now. Some of these containers need to go on the ground for the mammals, snakes and others who cannot get up to a bird bath on a pedestal.

I am going to put more out today. I searched for anything I could use. Yes, even a frisbee can hold water.

You do not need to clean the containers every day. Just put fresh water in. You can clean the containers once a week or every few days.

Put the water under the shade if you can. Anything to keep it cooler. This goes for the Hummingbird feeders too.

Does putting water out for animals matter? YES, if you help even one living thing to survive, you have made a difference.

We have to start doing, not just thinking about doing something.

I hear this too often: don’t worry someone will do it… We are the someone. So, make a difference today.

Remember who you are gardening for.