[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ave you seen your first firefly of 2017? For us, it was this past week.
RonTom and I went over to Buck’s Backyard on 1626 for a bite to eat after Monday evening’s City Council Meeting. From the back deck, in a nice breeze, we watched fireflies and the full moon while frogs croaked. It’s a new dining option, and one of the closest to Mountain City.
The “closest to Mountain City” option for Resurrection Sunday worship will surely be Fellowship Church’s 10am service at Shelton Stadium, just outside Mountain City’s gates. It’s scheduled for rain or shine. Children, nursery through 4th grade, will be in Graham Gym. It’s my church, and I extend to you an invitation to come and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Before the Council Meeting started, Ellis Craig who lives on Live Oak at Ash, told me about two roadrunners near his pool, picking up sticks. The Texas Breeding Bird Atlas says, “In general, Greater Roadrunners nest in thorny shrubs, low trees, thickets, and clumps of cacti.”
A bullfrog “croaked” at our house near the end of Live Oak Drive on Sunday afternoon. Ron ran over the frog while mowing. By the next morning, some form of wildlife plucked the frog from a shelf in the center of the yard, under our whole peanut wreath feeder.
All sorts of native wildlife benefit from native plants. For over 20 years, we’ve been adding natives to our wildscape.
The interesting and beautiful Antelope’s Horn, almost impossible to find in nurseries, has not been easy to cultivate. I’ve tried to transplant (from ranchlands and roadsides) this milkweed that provides for Monarch butterflies, into sunny spots throughout our lawn. I finally have one growing quite well this year, right at the edge of our oval driveway. It’s not an ideal spot, but I’ll take it. And, the butterflies will take it.
Monarch butterflies are in trouble. A recent National Wildlife Federation blog told me the annual population status report for the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) shows a 27 percent decrease from last year’s population. Populations of the monarch have dropped almost 90 percent in just the last two decades due to loss of available milkweed (used for nectar and by the catepillars) and loss of habitat in Mexico where they winter.
Antelope’s Horn also attracts small flying insects, food for many birds. It’s on the “Plants for Bluebirds” list.
Rough-leafed dogwood is in full bloom, attracting insects. It will produce berries for wildlife.
Black-crested Titmouse nestlings in a backyard nestbox are fully feathered, almost ready to fledge. Their color that can be seen from above is the same as their parents’, gray head and back with a black crest. Black-crested differ from the Tufted Titmouse in the color of their crest and their vocalizations. It’s a bird of Texas, northern Mexico, and a bit of Oklahoma. Here, near I-35, we see some hybrids.
Tidbits in my inbox have been almost impossible to find, non-existent. Please send (subject: TIDBIT) to [email protected] or 512-268-5678. Thanks! He is risen! PTom
