Blog
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Common Spotted Whiptail
This was the first year (two years since starting a wildlife habitat garden) that I caught sight of a Common Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis) lizard. This particular one may or may not be in the subspecies of Texas Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis gularis). I have had glimpses several times this spring and summer, but these Continue reading
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Stages Of A Passionflower Bloom
Yesterday I wrote about my Scarletfruit Passionflower (Passiflora lanuginosa) since it has now started blooming for the first time. One of the new things I’ve learned about this plant is that the blooms, which are plentiful, are each only open for a day. After the previous post, there was rain that evening which knocked away Continue reading
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Scarletfruit Passionflower
Last fall I was gifted a seedling of Scarletfruit Passionflower (Passiflora lanuginosa). It froze back completely during the winter, but survived and is now growing strongly. I am aware that this plant can grow aggressively and I only have a small trellis for it, so I will have to watch it and keep it contained Continue reading
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Finch Eggs Have Hatched
After a Barn Swallow nest was constructed in our porch and later abandoned, it was taken over by House Finches. I have a mirror on a stick that I can use to look into the nest any time mom is not sitting in it, and if I want to take a photograph then I briefly Continue reading
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Mexican Olive, Tree Or Bush?
In the fall of 2023 I planted a Mexican Olive (Cordia boissieri) tree. That winter during the one freeze event we had, the tips of some upper branches froze. The following spring, new growing points formed just below the frozen tips and the tree continued to grow taller and wider. A year later, in January Continue reading
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Fish And Tadpoles
My ecosystem pond was installed in November 2024, so it’s still very new. Eventually, I hope that there will be a reasonable balance between plants, animals, and insects. However, I expect that adjustment to take a year or two, with some learning on my part as well. One thing I already know is that there Continue reading
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The Swallow Nest Has Been Reoccupied By Finches
In March 2025, a pair of Barn Swallows built a nest high in our front porch. Four eggs were laid and the parents were taking good care of them. Not long afterwards, something attacked the nest and stole the eggs, and the swallows abandoned the nest. That story is told here. What was left of Continue reading
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Mushrooms In Rain Gauge Pot
It is not unusual after extended periods of rain for me to find mushrooms growing out of soil or mulch. Having a healthy fungal population in the garden is a good thing, since this is part of the decay process that provides nutrients for plants. I’ve seen this mushroom before, and if my identification is Continue reading
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Live Oak New Growth In The Third Year
When this new house was constructed, the builder planted two Live Oak trees of unknown variety in the front yard, probably at the end of 2022. For two years they have seemed healthy enough, producing acorns in the fall and new leaves in the spring. Now that I would consider them established, they get no Continue reading
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Pussyfoot Has Appeared Again
Last year I had a volunteer Pussyfoot (Dalea obovata) plant. I have just found another one hidden among a mass of wildflowers. This is a useful plant because it is a legume, and thus able to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil via a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria. For that nitrogen to be available for Continue reading
About Me
Nature Lover.
Inquisitive Observer.
Student Gardener.
I invite you to join me on my journey to convert my sterile (from a nature point of view) new house lot to a healthy and diverse ecosystem, as I make discoveries, mistakes, and hopefully progress. I am not an expert or professional. The project started in February 2023 and the location is Seguin, Texas, USA.
Rewilding My Lot 