October 31, 2015

trick or treat!




field notes, mmxv-x-xxxi


Well, two bummers: there are some new "no trespassing" signs near the turnaround on our favorite trail - looks like they're going to build more houses. Also, Ondine was limping a little this morning - don't know if she strained her hip or if the dampness is making it arthritic.  It didn't slow her down much - she was happy to get out after the deluges of the last couple days.

120 miles for October.

garden notes, mmxv-x-xxxi


October 30, 2015

garden notes, mmxv-x-xxx


field notes, mmxv-x-xxx




We tried to hurry down to the duck pond after the rain let up, but a downpour caught us when we got there. We ducked under a live oak to wait it out but Bren came and saved us.

October 26, 2015

October 20, 2015

field notes, mmxv-x-xx


When we first moved here we used to see huge flocks of monarchs every October, but their numbers have been dwindling over the years. Last year I saw maybe a half-dozen, all floating up high. I saw a couple earlier this month and this one today - I was keeping an eye out because the Parks and Wildlife Department this morning tweeted that there were some at Mother Neff SP, near Waco, about 100 miles north. This one was fluttering along some old grape vines on the junipers at the edge of an open space, right at sunset. We'll look again tomorrow. (It saddens me that my granddaughters may never see the big migrations...)

snippets, 10-20-2015

Official: Indonesia fires can't be put out by human intervention. Welcome to the future.

October 18, 2015

field notes, mmxv-x-xviii



wayward peg

We found one of PJ's baby dolls sitting nicely on a trailside bench this morning. She wasn't there when we passed by last night - not sure how long she's been gone or what she's been up to...

October 14, 2015

field notes, mmxv-x-xiv

We're under a sore throat and sinus-ache inducing blanket of smoke from the Bastrop wildfire about 50 miles southwest. Hoping everyone's OK.

October 13, 2015

field notes, mmxv-x-xiii

At the bus stop this morning.