CAMN at the Ladybird Wildflower Center

I remember the first bluebonnet field I saw. It was in Waxahachie, Texas 12 years ago this spring. I have a quintessential picture of my then, 2 year old romping in her state flower and I put that photo out every spring. I never get tired of fields of blue, wildflowers or the beautiful breezy Texas spring, filled with buzzing life.

I've recently become a Facebook addict. Yes, my name is Cheryl and I'm addicted to Facebook.

One of the things I love about it is keeping up with the weather in other parts of the country. I spent 7 years in Alaska... my formative years that is, and this time of year, up there is not lovingly referred to as "break-up," as in the ice is melting and breaking up. It's a muddy mess. I wish we had the stylish rain boots they have today. Anyway, this blog is for my friends up north, especially Scott whose mother retired in Pampa and thinks all of Texas is a flat, stinky desert. I've tried to wooo him into the heart of Texas but stereo-types are hard to break and you would just have to be here to know what those of us who live life in our year-round gardens have come to understand. I am the poster child for the bumper sticker "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could."

But, enough about that. It's dang hard for me to keep focused in the spring, especially on gorgeous day's like this. Which leads me to our CAMN class...which, after driving in through all the flowers, crushed me by making us sit for an entire morning before being able to explore the gardens! Never the less, the class was clean and clear and helped me organize the messy-mess of botanist naming with a great little game and then practical application exercise using Brother Daniel Lynch C.S.C.'s book and the binomial system of classification. The above photo is of my groups classification project. Which, being spring and all...put our minds in the gutter...screws and hooks...you can imagine.


We were able to do it, amazing through the giggles and straight up (no pun intended) naughty-naming and we had a great time. We played the game after a wonderful lecture from Flo Oxley, PhD. student in Botany and long time employee of the Wildflower Center. If ever you have the chance to take a class with her, get ready to speed through the information...she doesn't miss a beat, you won't doze and you'll walk away empowered. She was a hoot!

Oh yea, I want one of these from my backdoor to the garage:)

Tiniest little wildflower growing up through the wall.

The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is truly a stunning facility and recently joined forced with the University of Texas. Check out their site at: http://www.wildflower.org/

Right now there is a sculpture sale and show.

Next weekend, April 10-12 is their yearly Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival.

If you haven't taken the time to drive out there, you really must. It's charming, has lots of classes and events, shopping and a healthy cafe...not to mention the views.

Mexican Honeysuckle.

Doesn't this just make you want to take it easy? I managed to snap all these shots while my class was diligently working on identifying species using the guide...ho hum, it was much to pretty to look at a book.

One of the several ponds.

Mexican Buckeye seeds.

More plants getting ready to jump into your yard! I've heard told that some stuff sells out on the first morning...

The live Bluebonnet Cam...what a crack up! It's on the website.

Here's Flo Oxley telling us about some farmer who drug this old hollowed out tree in after the bees left...why? He didn't know.

I think this is close enough for you to smell it...mmmm rich burnt honey goodness!

This was one of my favorites of the sculptures! It had a sold sign on it...dagnabbit!

We were told that having just a few Indian Paintbrushes among Bluebonnets will deter the bugs.

That's one healthy field of blue...with just one red spot for safety's sake. I don't know what to say Scott, you're missing out if you pass through life without seeing a Bluebonnet field...Texas ain't Pampa.

The day was great, the class was worthy and if you're interested in being a Capital Area Master Naturalist, get on it! They only take 30 applicants a year and it's a world of knowledge. Tomorrow, we are meeting at the LCRA Redbud Center to learn about Ichthyology, Herpetology, Aquatic Systems Ecology and Management, and Wetland Ecology and Management. I should be ready to put in that pond after this!

Have a great day and Happy Gardening.

Happy Birthday...Fools Day!

I started this blog a year ago today, on April Fools Day...sort of intentionally. I wasn't sure where blogging would take me and have always gotten a kick out of the word...Blog...it makes me giggle to tell people "I'm a blogger" especially if I get the feeling it's out of their comfort zone...it just sounds silly.

It's been a great adventure and I certainly owe a few thanks to the folks who have helped me out and I have been blessed to meet because of this ordeal. I met Bonnie Martin of Kiss of Sun in a garden design workshop and we became fast friends realizing that our lives overlapped in more than one area. Then one day while working at the Master Gardener phone desk she started telling me about her blog and the upcoming "Bloggers Convention"...I thought she was a little crazy...blogger...hehe, what's that? It was a few weeks before I was in front of my computer and remembered our conversation and googled her blog...a few hours later, after perusing her stories and photos and then blog-hopping to everyone on her sidebar, I thought...I've been keeping a journal for years...why not? I really liked the versatility and freedom involved and was excited to get started. Thank you Bonnie Martin for answering the phone and my dozens of questions so patiently...you're my teacher of the year!

My first get together with other 'said' bloggers was last fall when several of us met in the parking lot at the Target in Capital Plaza to go visit Peckerwood Gardens. It was great to put faces to the work I'd been reading. Everyone was so different and yet our love of the gardening, writing and adventure drew us together. I've seen Pam Penick the most since then, at various classes and she too has been a wonderful help...if you haven't visited her site Digging, you should, she's a fabulous photographer and designer and just an all around stand up gal!

I joined Blotanical at some point and Pamona Belvedere voted me one of her favorite blogs, I've had a few of these since but have yet to figure out how to reply or post...so goes the day. Just when you think you are starting to understand something, you realize how much you have yet to learn...a lot like gardening. Thank you to everyone who has helped me, not laughed, had faith, read faithfully and especially...commented! I've enjoyed every minute of reading your thoughts and following you back to your space in time to learn a little more about playing outside! My garden and I have grown immensely because of you.

Happy April Fools Day...and Thank You!

CAMN at Hornsby Bend

It was a blustery day at Hornsby Bend, which isn't supposed to be good birdwatching weather but it was the first time for me, and it seemed fine. It helps that Hornsby Bend is the best place in the country to see birds for a few reasons...one it's the central flyway for bird migration and is on the edge of an ecosystem and two, the poop...which draws insects, which birds love to eat. For those of you not from around Austin, Hornsby Bend is where ALL of the one million gallons of sludge, and yard waste in Austin go to be converted into a product known as "Dillo Dirt" via composting. The facility is huge...there are 3 giant ponds filled with birds, and not just flycatchers...but everything!

Pipevine Swallowtail on Redbud Blossoms

The first birds we learned about are the Purple Martins. There is a colony of 48 houses that need weekly care, which takes about an hour. The Martins are endangered and you can help support the PMCA, Purple Martin Conservation Association by purchasing housing and various items to help care for and attract Martins.
Julia and Andy Balinksy, Capital Area Master Naturalists who care for the birds took the time to explain a little about the nesting requirements, pests and responsibility involved.

The standard gourd shaped colony

There were several Purple Martins flying around. They scavenge flying insects and do not feast primarily on mosquito's, as touted by many manufacturers of the popular houses.

Carol, on the left is our CAMN bird expert from our class, and on the right is our gung-ho birding teacher for the day Kathy McCormick...check out those duds!

We listened to a brief talk on the how to's of birding, and and some general information about flycatchers, vireos and warblers before heading out to pond#2. Kathy pointed out several species and I was amazed at how much fun it was. I had always wondered what the draw could be, and for me it is learning about the character of the birds...this made everything they did come alive!

The Duck Blind.

Look at this crazy construction...the bench is lower than the windows, therefore literally blinding you from the ducks!

The view from inside...the Yucca were blooming and covered with insects!

A Chimney Swift home. In my neighborhood we have a watch at the local elementary school, Brentwood. The Chimney Swifts have been coming for over 50 years and it's a wonderful opportunity to meet your neighbors!

Tiger Swallowtail on Redbud Blossoms

Here's our group heading out for a short hike, the best part of each CAMN class as far as I'm concerned...too much butt to chair puts the mind to sleep.

We were looking for owls and woodpecker holes in this grand, dead, old tree. Not removing dead wood is essential to bird habitats.

A slow spot on the Bend.

Here we saw a Red Shoulder Hawk, some Turkey Vultures and a Great Egret.

The thicket was a weekend volunteer project.

Mustang grape! Yum, I've got some growing in my yard...if it's a rainy year we'll have jam!

This place was spooky! It's one of the holding ponds, and strangely the place doesn't smell.

Duckweed, up close. The smallest blooming plant which remove phosphates, nitrogen and especially ammonia from water. Duckweed is found all over the world off fast moving rivers and can be transplanted by birds going from pond to pond.

What ever ate this salad, didn't chew 30 times. tsk-tsk.

Coyote who dined on bunny.

Coyote that dined on deer. Hungry coyote.

The yucca almost don't look real they are so waxy and perfect!

Northern Shovelers, Green, Blue and Cinnamon Teal and some American Coots.

After our outing we were treated to a few hours of Kevin Anderson talking about Urban Ecology, Sustainability and the history of Hornsby Bend. We also collected tons of information on birding in Texas, compliments of the Travis Audubon Society and walked away thoroughly enthusiastic about learning bird calls and coming back for the annual Christmas Day Bird Count which covers a 10 mile area around the Bend.

Hornsby Bend has won several awards for it's sustainability efforts and we are the only city in America to compost all it's sludge! There are several volunteer opportunities and bird watching events for adults and teens, Austin Youth River Watch is a high school program that's been going on since '92 and the bird survey happens on the second Saturday of each month at 7am, beginners welcome, you'll be paired with an expert. The third Saturday is a Bird Walk, 7:30-11am and is open to the public as well.

If your interested in learning more check out their website http://www.hornsbybend.org/

We only have a few classes of CAMN left, they just keep getting more interesting all the time!

Spring has Sprung

We went to Boulder to take the girls snowboarding for Spring Break and I missed the GBBD but caught a few photos of the yard before and after. I've been having the hardest time staying focused this spring...or maybe it's every Spring...due to the wind, or that's my story. Anyway, it rained the day we left and then again today and I'm starting to feel like this is an actual spring and all. There is so much going on in the garden that I just have to share!

About ten years ago I bought a tiny plant in a 2 inch square pot and it was labeled "Desert Flower"...got it at the former Tex Zen Garden on Burnet. I've since found out that the real name is Hymenoxis or Four nerve Daisy. This is what 10 years of ignoring the little flower looks like. If you can't grow anything in a tough (notice it's right on the street) spot...try this beauty.
3 year old "Old Blush" climber on the porch has been blooming non stop.

This photo doesn't do the pinks justice...Indian Hawthorne, Oxalis and Autumn Sage.

The Heartleaf Scull-cap is knee high and spreading like an invasive species...we can't say that though since it's a native...it's just a little aggressive.

Close up of the Cross-vine...I still don't know the difference between Trumpet and Cross?

The little side garden is plumping up...they're all transplants.

The peach across the street has 22 peaches...mine just put out it's first bloom...go figure?

Mexican Sage...one of my favorites!

The Arugula gone to bloom along with Swiss Chard and Mustard greens

I love the onions bursting into bloom! Symmetrical perfection with an asymmetrical strip-tease.

My neighbor Hai's mother propagated these Loquats. It's the third year in the ground...right on time with the fruit! Yum, I can't wait to make jam!

The Cassia was blooming when I put it in the ground and has been blooming ever since.

Cheese and Wine Iris's, still no buds!

Spider wort.

Mini-pom buds.

Cross-vine gone wild! Each year it seems more spectacular!

Greg's little cousin Shelby and my hen Florance Jean.

My sweet Autumn Sage is so great with little kids! Shelby was very proud to have held onto Florence Jean...not an easy task!

Here's the mystery mold. Two mornings in a row this crumbly day-glo yellow slime showed up on my mulch not far from some mushrooms. I'd love to know what and why this is happening?

Anyone out there a mold fan?

Hoping for rain...Happy Gardening!