By Pauline Tom
T
rish Wells on Cedar painted a vivid picture as she phoned over a tidbit. The seasonal high mark for tidbitting definitely goes to her, and it’ll be hard to beat.
Trish wondered if “Montage” had mentioned roadrunner sightings. Well, yes. Some years Mountain City has a roadrunner running up and down Maple. Even this year, not yet recorded, RonTom frequently watched a roadrunner running with food in beak, across the street from the Wells’ (the Wells on Live Oak Drive) and all along the property line that separates us from the house on the corner. The roadrunner would jump over their cedar fence.
Well, the Wells (the Wells on Cedar), they’ve watched a pair of roadrunners recently. Last week, in their backyard, while delighting in watching amorous play, much to their surprise, they actually saw the roadrunners doing “it!” Yes! Congrats to the Wells.
Their roadrunners have been disappearing into a tree. Every sign says they’re nesting.
Life in Mountain City can be like living in a National Geographic.
Such has been the story for the Garraway’s on Maple this past week. Snap, snap, snapping with hearts throbbing, they’ve rejoiced as Painted Buntings have spent hours on their feeders. It’s hard to fathom, such a beautiful bird so sought by birdwatchers, presents with presence the backyards (and, front yards) of Mountain Cityians.
Just a couple Sundays back, a friend bubbled over with news that she saw a Painted Bunting, with binocs, at Stagecoach Park between dropping food for the worship band and attending church. Yes! It was easy to guess what she had seen. The delight on her face said it all.
Quietly park in front of our house with binocs in the next few days. It’s probable you’ll experience what I’m talking about. Soon, the Painted Buntings’ seasonal movement will take them southwards towards Mexico and Central America.
Orchard Orioles at our boulderific fountain sent RonTom running to our bird books and the Internet. He found a fascinating website that shows the seasonal ebb and flow of bird movement, by the day. But, we cannot find it now to share with you. Maybe next week!
What we have not seen in several years is a cuckoo. Maybe it will cooperate now that it has been mentioned.
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It’s time to cooperate with Pedernales Electric Coop to “Beat The Peak”. Shift your energy use during the peak time, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Raise the thermostat by 3 degrees. Close blinds and use fans in occupied rooms. Delay running the washing machine, dishwasher, and clothes dryer. Prepare several meals at a time and reheat for dinner. Cooperating, we can help PEC beat the peak while lowering our electric bills.
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It’s time to file for city alderman positions. The state mandated period for filing ends August 24. See Ellis Craig for an application 512-268-1239.
Maybe next week we’ll have a tidbit from you? I hope so! [email protected] (subject: TIDBIT) or 512-268-5678. Thanks! Love, Pauline
