Centipede

I saw this Centipede crossing in front of me this evening when I went out on the front walk.  Everything is bigger in Texas.  Probably 9-10 inches in length and moved pretty quick across the front lawn and into the flower bed.  Probably the right time to be out as I see a lot of Roadrunners this year, but they are usually out in the mornings.

Spring Wildflowers

We have cleared cedar trees immediately east of the house over the course of the past 18 months.  This spring the entire area was covered with beautiful Bluebonnets...the most I have seen on the ranch.  As the bluebonnets faded the area was then covered with some yellow flowers.  Now the area is covered with blooming purple thistles.  Very interesting and a colorful spring just outside the front door.

I have also extended the clearing into a trail from the house to the mountain pasture gate.  I can actually Annie the donkey and the goats if they are by the gate.  Also how I'm able to hear and hopefully see critters going down the mountain on the wild animal trail.

Coyote Concert

I went outside about 11:00 pm to help DW unload some items (she had gone to the Cliftex and a movie with friends) from the car and we were able to catch an evening serenade by a pack of coyotes.  Sounds like the were in the goat pasture and with the trees we've recently cut between the house and that gate it was very loud and sounded like they were right on us.  That fence row basically completely crosses Rattlesnake Mt. and has always been a trail for critters going from Meridian Creek valley to Gary Creek valley.  Always find interesting tracks and a reason I could never have baby goats survive in that pasture.  It was a clear still night and a new moon as well, not sure if that played into the coyote concert.  Very interesting and somewhat scary if I had not been standing just feet from the front door.

This link will give you an idea:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtsZoIe3Czk 

January 2016

I don't keep this blog updated as I should.  I logged in tonight to add Eastern Meadowlark to the Birds Observed.  One crashed into the patio window and was stunned.  I put him outside the dog area...he should be fine.  Bigger bird than I thought.

I've been clearing due east of the house.  There was almost a straight line of dead cedar.  It's taken a year working on and off and I actually now have a new trail that goes directly from the circle in front of the house to the pasture gate between the homestead and the goat pasture.  There has been a lot of burning and rock hauling involved in that project.