by PAULIE TOM
Praise God. As I key these words, many Eastern Bluebirds, a cardinal, some warblers, a hummingbird, Inca Dove, Lesser Goldfinch and more bring delight.
Picture this: Moved sideways, in order to prop my right leg, I could see the large mirror in front of my computer, enlarged to include our kitchen window birdbath and the native garden near our driveway.
Sidelined by last week’s surgery, my front yard “treasure chested” itself. With my Pentax Papillo 6.5 x 21’s aimed at the mirror, 10 weeks will more easily rate “Grand Adventure.”
Connie Brewer asked a question when I phoned to ask for an extension on this column’s deadline. My answer: The Painted Buntings that frequented her feeders on Maple Drive for several months did not desert her for another in late July and early August. Rather, they started towards Mexico and Central America.
On Sept. 6, I saw a male Painted Bunting. Perhaps he was too old to make the journey.
To make your landscaping more attractive to Painted Buntings, add a native “shrub scrub” section.
A few weeks ago, about 7:15 a.m., Diane Krejci and her neighbor saw a gray fox run across her lawn toward the intersection of Cedar and Maple, while she was out walking Lucy.
Do you allow your dogs to check pee mail? RonTom carries poop bags when out with BoD and KissMe; but, we had no clue that some object to urine.
At a recent City Council meeting, a homeowner expressed disgust that some allow their dogs to pee on his mailbox. A councilman commented that he does not like his neighbor’s cat pooping in his yard. The City Council will consider such matters when they revisit ordinances.
Check minutes of that council meeting when it goes online (www.mountaincitytx.com) for word of what happened when a neighbor complained of the stench of lots of urine produced by a very large pot-bellied pig. (I’m not going to get into that here.)
The City Council directed the mayor to determine another course of action by polling those who live near the end of Live Oak. Some see the huge dead live oak as an awful eyesore that must go, so there’s the option of complete removal and grinding. Others see the huge dead tree (after it’s trimmed for safety) as a fabulous wildscape (a safe harbor in which wildlife can find the resources they need). Either way, the City will clean up and landscape the circle within the cul-desac.
Mark Klym, Texas Parks & Wildlife head of the Wildlife Diversity program, contributed to a study in Michigan that showed 40 species using a single snag as habitat (as counted only when the animal spent a significant amount of time in the tree - not just sitting there and eating for a minute). Yes, it’s in dying that a large circumference tree gives life to an abundant array of wildlife.
It’s only in sending a tidbit that yours will give life to “Montage.” Email [email protected] or phone (512) 268-5678.
