Relocating blue iris and mudbugs at Sheldon Lake

While collecting 492 Iris virginica (I was the counter) plus miscellaneous plants from an overgrown parking lot patch at Sheldon Lake, we disturbed a few crawfish.

They didn't like being picked up, but they were carefully relocated to a plant grow-out pond.

Ninety-two iris sprigs went back into the same mud bed. The rest will be planted near a Sheldon pond next week with the help of high school volunteers.

I would suggest the students wear shorts and sunblock.

Today in the sunshine with the temperature around 80, I was a smelly, sweaty mess after about 15 minutes. And I wasn't even one of the volunteers wielding a sharp shooter shovel.

Who wore it better: woodpecker vs. grosbeck

They are both sporting a tasteful black, white and red ensemble designed by Mother Nature.

But who wins this pageant showdown, Red-bellied woodpecker or Rose-breasted Grosbeck?

The dog finds a large snake

I was not thinking reptile when I peeked under the deck's steps to see what Freddie wanted me to see while she barked, barked barked.


I thought Freddie had cornered one of the neighbor cats that like to wander through our yard. It is one of Freddie's favorite games.

When we say "cat," Freddie runs to the door ready to go outside to chase the interloper over the fence.  I think the cats like the game too.

When the barking didn't stop, I used the water hose to spray under the steps. That is a surefire way to get the cats to leave. Still, no cat dashing.

The barking continued, so I thought maybe it was an opossum. Freddie has found them before much to her dog-brain delight.

So not wanting to face the teeth of a cornered possum, I was cautious when I looked under the steps.

Snake! Big snake!

I prefer my snakes small and fleeing.

This was a stand-your-ground snake.

My best guess from a quick snapshot is an Eastern Yellow-Bellied Racer.

We made Freddie stay indoors the rest of the evening. 

Backyard birds: Flashy Orioles like watermelon

It's a watermelon party for a couple of Baltimore orioles.

Look up: It's a way-cool flock of white pelicans

White pelicans buzzed my back yard on Easter weekend.

Luckily they didn't try to land. My tiny pond would probably accommodate three of them.

Panhandle spring: doves and snow

The little dove has returned to my brother's backyard in Amarillo.

He said last year's nest broke apart during the winter, but a couple of doves returned to repair it for their new family.

There are now two white eggs in the nest. My brother can stand on a lawn chair to peek into the nest.

I snapped a couple of pictures on a windy Sunday, and the next day it snowed.

Just another April day in the Panhandle.

The nest is about 12 feet off the ground.

April 14 snow in Amarillo.

Roseate Spoonbills: Don't call our pink birds flamingos

Roseate spoonbills were spooning their bills through the water collected in a wetland construction area at Baytown Nature Center on this April morning with the temperature around 65 degrees.

Work trucks and bulldozers didn't bother their feeding along the main road into BNC. I didn't even get out of my car to snap these pics.

The National Audubon site calls the roseate spoonbills beautiful and bizarre. They are definitely standouts.

Treat. Yo. Self: new gloves edition

Nothing like getting a new pair of gloves for outdoor work.

These are the gloves used by many on the Wetlands Team working at Sheldon Lake. As an aspiring team member, I traded in my patched, stiff gloves for some orange newbies.