I am continuing my series of once common birds whose populations are in steep decline, what the causes are, possible solutions, how you can help, and the role of the federal government and President Donald Trump. I have reposted the Executive Orders from President Trump that I previously posted – they are at the bottom […]
I am continuing this week with once common birds whose populations are in steep decline. Last week it was the Loggerhead Shrike. This week it is the Northern Bobwhite. Last week, I explained that my recommendation is not to rely on news shows or social media, but to go straight to the federal government to […]
Over the next few weeks, I am going to talk about birds who were once common within their range and habitat, but whose populations are now in steep decline. Things in the United States are changing. The federal government is no longer protecting wildlife and habitats as they once did. I never think it is […]
Wild Ginger is definitely a shade lover. Periods of dappled sunlight is enough. It is not a native plant in Texas and the western states, but it is native everywhere from the Rocky Mountains – east. Light: Shade. This means no more than 4 hours of sun each day. And the sun should never be direct […]
Some of the best moments of my life have occurred during birding. That is not in any way meant to lessen the impact of the first time I gazed into my husband’s eyes, the first time I jumped from a high cliff into the lake below, those moments when we learned our first grandchild had […]
Alliums or Ornamental Onions are planted for their lovely, stiff, globe-shaped heads of flowers. Many gardeners, catalogues, and garden centers do not call them ornamental onions, but call them alliums – this is what I have aways called them. The genus Allium also includes leeks, garlic, shallots, and onions – all of which are harvested […]
This is a great time of year to throw your binoculars around your neck and take a walk or drive anywhere there are overhead utility wires. It does not matter if you are in town, the suburbs, or rural. This is the time of year you will see more and more birds sitting together side-by-side […]
In my opinion, this is an under-used plant. Even many people who are avid gardeners are unaware of it. I love it and have always had it in all my gardens since I stumbled upon it back in the 70’s. It is related to bee balm, but does not spread as quickly – and if […]
First – the Carolina Wren. This is one of my favorite birds. OK – you caught me! – I probably say that about most of the birds I write about. And it is true – there are no birds I do not like. And there are no birds I do not think beautiful. There is […]
The only problem with this small tree is – how in the world do you spell it? You will see it as witch-hazel, witchhazel, and witch hazel. Two “h’s” side-by-side in the middle of a word? That just seems plain wrong. And yet to completely separate these two words? Witch. Hazel. Too much of a […]