January 31, 2023
I moved my fountain to the sting of the coated patio this winter, to free myself from the near-daily activity of cleansing out crape myrtle litter through the summer season. One other upside is that now I can watch birds on the fountain from my workplace window.
A couple of days in the past I noticed a number of cedar waxwings lined up alongside the rim and dipping right down to drink. All that berry searching is difficult work!
I took photos by my window (glass and display), so that they aren’t crisp. However I used to be comfortable to seize the birds’ antics with out scaring them off. Cedar waxwings are sleekly lovely birds with easy grey feathers, black masks, yellow rump, and flicker of crimson on their wings.
The water cooler gang turned out to be a part of a cedar waxwing conference within the yard. I appeared out the kitchen window and noticed fluttering confetti swirling by the air — waxwings by the handfuls, 100 possibly! With my binoculars I might see birds touchdown on a tree past our fence and dipping right into a cavity. Aha! That hole is holding water from a current drizzle — a pure hen tub.
It’s seemingly a mosquito incubator in the summertime, dang it. However I’m glad to know wildlife like these visiting birds have water sources I hadn’t even identified about — and excessive in a tree, besides!
Come again any time, my feathered mates.
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Come study backyard design from the consultants at Backyard Spark! I arrange in-person talks by inspiring designers, panorama architects, and authors just a few occasions a yr in Austin. These are limited-attendance occasions that promote out rapidly, so be a part of the Backyard Spark electronic mail listing to be notified upfront. Merely click on this hyperlink and ask to be added. You’ll find this yr’s speaker lineup right here.
Make plans to attend the Budding Out Plant Sale & Pageant on March 18 on the John Fairey Backyard in Hempstead, TX. Uncommon and distinctive vegetation might be provided, in addition to artwork, ceramics, jewellery, meals, drink, music, and different leisure for the entire household. Members have early entry and get in free. Non-member admission is $5. Kids 12 and underneath are free.
Expertise the Surreal Backyard at Zilker Botanical Backyard, a fascinating neon-art show all through the gardens, with foods and drinks, music and dancing, surreal performers, and interactive artwork sculptures. Surreal costumes inspired! 25% of occasion proceeds profit the Zilker Botanical Backyard Conservancy. Runs April 6 (VIP Evening), April 7-8, and April 13-15, from 6:30 pm to 11 pm.
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