By Pauline Tom.
Picture-perfect days beckon us outside for gardening and yard work. At this point, the likelihood of a freeze is slim, but not impossible. The latest freeze recorded for San Marcos was April 16, 1961. Many of us remember the last freeze of record at Austin Bergstrom, in 1999, on April 17. For Austin Mabry, it has been a full century since a “late freeze” on April 9.
Years of drought remind us to search for drought-resistant plants.
James Polk sent word that a pair of Eastern Bluebirds show interest in one of his nestboxes. Here’s hoping they decide to nest. Stay tuned to “Montage” for updates.
| (Photo courtesy of Pauline Tom) |
James and Dianne (Live Oak at Pin Oak) saw their first Black-chinned Hummingbird of the season this past week. Get out those hummingbird feeders filled with syrup made with one part sugar to four parts water. Mark Klym of Texas Parks & Wildlife says it’s important to bring the water to a boil when making the syrup. And, it’s vital to keep the feeder clean.
Mark is one of the authors of “Hummingbirds of Texas,” a book I highly recommend. It shows large photos and drawings of each of Texas’ hummingbirds, and shows the expected species for Mountain City (and every other spot in Texas).
The book says serving spoiled artificial nectar to hummingbirds would be like serving curdled milk to the family at breakfast.
Some feeders are easier to clean than others. My favorite is the Highview version of the Hummzinger by Aspects. Like other Hummzingers, the bright red cover snaps off and the smooth clear bowl can be quickly and thoroughly cleaned. The Highview’s elevated perch offers an unobstructed view as the hummers drink from any of the four ports. And, the Aspect feeders have a lifetime guarantee.
Wondering about bluebonnets? The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website (www.wildflower.org) includes a Texas wildflower forecast. At this point, it includes word from Damon Waitt, botanist, that all signs point to a good wildflower season because of good fall precipitation and good winter precipitation in many parts of the state, “not just rain, but sleet and snow as well.”
During winter, you may have noticed germinated bluebonnets establishing themselves as green rosettes, spread low across the ground to retain heat.
In recent weeks, I did not notice Mr. Mockingbird, who spent weeks during the winter pecking at our breakfast room window. (I’m convinced his parents fed him my “Bird Butter” as a baby, and he was begging me for more.) “Ah!”, I thought, “Finally, he departed! Hormones surely signaled him that it was time to find a mate.” Guess what? On Sunday, he showed up at the window with a mate.
Guess what? I still need tidbits. Color me blue when no tidbits come in. Send to [email protected] (subject: tidbit) or 512-268-5678.
