There's Gold in Them Thar Hills!

Chipping Sparrows and Pine Siskins aren't the only birds we have enjoyed watching this year.  Each year in mid-March, the endangered golden-cheeked warblers that nest on our east “mountain” return from their winter homes in Mexico and northern Central America.  It is the only bird species whose population nests entirely in the state of Texas.  The males arrive first to choose their nesting territories.  They sing in the mornings, and contest with other males to pick out the best nesting sites.  The females arrive a few days later.  Their markings are similar to the males, but often paler with only a few black feathers on the throat.  The warblers begin nesting around April 1, raise their babies in May and June, and leave in late July or August.  We hear them every year, and feel fortunate if we are able to get a good look at one or take a photo.

This year we began our “warbler watch” on March 12 when RV friends Gay and Joe Knight joined us for a walk across the mountain.  We listened and listened, but could not hear their distinctive calls or get them to come to a recorded call from our phones.  

We were in luck on Friday, March 19, however.  When John and I walked the mountain with Brian and Debi, there was plenty of warbler activity.  First we heard the “squeaky tricycle” call of the black-and-white warbler.   We saw one flitting among the branches of a Spanish oak, but were unable to get a photo.  Then we heard the golden-cheeks calling back and forth across the ridge.  We used a recorded call from my Audubon phone app, and were able to call in several of them.  At one point, two met in mid-air right above our heads, and the dominant bird chased his rival away before we could photograph them.  Several others were more willing to sit still, at least for a while and we got several nice shots.

Sunday was a good day, as well.  The birds were singing into the afternoon, and these shots were taken after lunch, around 1:30.

This morning, the warblers were even more cooperative.  I put on camo to be a little less conspicuous, took the dogs and set out.

After an hour or so of walking, calling and looking, I was ready to give up.  I had heard birds several times, but was unable to get close to them, or to call them in.  Then, as I approached our east fence line, I heard a couple of warblers calling back and forth to each other.  I used my phone app, and was able to attract a couple.  Each time I stopped to call, Rosie came running and flopped down, squirming around to get as much of her belly on the cool ground as possible.  I was afraid she would spook the birds, but they didn't seem to notice and came right in.

Fortunately, one of them chose the top branch of a cedar tree to perch and sing, and I was able to get some nice images before he took off for another tree.

It was a great day!

There is another bird that has attracted our attention in the last couple of weeks.  This female turkey vulture has for the third year laid her eggs in the abandoned deer stand near our lower stock tank.  She leaves her “nest” on the floor of the blind when we come too close, but is quite willing to sit in her tree and hiss at us.  

I was able to see her egg one day when she was away from the nest.  It was about the size of a turkey egg, with coloration that blends with the floor of the blind.

Sadly when I peeked in a few days ago, I saw only an egg shell.  Apparently the raccoons or some other predator again took her egg once again.  I had hoped to see a baby vulture, but I guess it won’t be this year.

Other bird sightings have included this pair of Canada Geese.  They have visited both our upper and lower stock ponds.

There is a resident goose population in German Valley to our east, and I suppose these are looking for a nesting site.  We were hoping they would lay a golden egg for us, but this morning Rosie sent them packing.   

Maybe they will have better luck another day on another pond.

Together Again!!!

When COVID struck a year ago, it changed all of us, and all our lives, probably forever.  One of the things I have missed most is the ability to gather with friends and family.  We have, from time to time gotten together with one or two others, either outside or properly distanced and/or masked.  But, until this week we haven’t been able to hug with impunity the way we love to…big, lift-you-off-the-ground hugs!

Now that all the adults in our extended Farm Family, and most of our friends, have gotten at least one COVID vaccination, that has all changed.  Last week was been spring break for most school kids and their teachers, so we were all able to meet at the farm for a long-overdue visit.  

We started the week with a visit from good RV friends, Gay and Joe Knight, 

and ended it with our son and daughter-in-law, and my brother, his wife, daughters and sons-in-law and grandkids!  We had a wonderful time, and can’t wait to get together again soon.

The Big Chill

 A lot has happened since my post on February 11, most of it weather-related.  Last week when the weather-guessers predicted an upcoming week of sub-freezing weather, most of us Native Texans were a bit skeptical. When they said our temperatures for several days would be in the single digits, we scoffed.  That hasn’t happened in many years, and we’ve all been told about global warming.  Yeah, right!  What were our chances of a deep-freeze week?  

Silly us!  On February 2, the groundhog said there would be 6 more weeks of winter and it looks like he was right.  Morning temperatures on the 11th were 25º; we saw 24º when we woke on the 12th and 21º on the 13th.  That was the easy part.  On Valentine’s Day, we woke to 2-3 inches of dry, powdery snow, 19º and a stiff north wind.  That wouldn’t have been so bad, but when we went down to feed the cows, General was nowhere to be found.  We drove around the pasture, but didn’t see him, so we bundled up some more and began to search.

You would think a 2200 lb. Hereford bull would be easy to spot, especially in the snow, but not so.  I told the dogs to “Find General” and they were off, searching among the cedars and scrub brush.  It’s useful for them to recognize the “find” command. Most of the time it’s a game to play when the weather keeps us inside, and ordinarily the object to find is a treat.  They understand the concept, though, and know the difference between “cows” and General.  

After an hour-and-a-half of searching, Cody was working the cedar-covered hillside on the east side of the creek.  I heard branches cracking, and out he came, driving General before him. 

With a little urging, the bull crossed the creek and rejoined the cows at the hay bale.  The dogs all got treats when we got home, and Cody got two!

On Monday, the temperature was 4º when we woke, and on Tuesday, 5º.  I don’t suppose we’re going to reach the 0º mark, but this is certainly cold enough for me.

The cows have plenty of hay, and are getting range cubes twice a day.    

We’re encouraged to see snow on their backs, as this means they have a good layer of fat beneath the skin that helps them to keep warm.  

We were glad the cattle have access to the creek and two stock tanks for water.  Many people use water troughs, which quickly freeze.  We shouldn’t have been so optimistic.  There was open water on the upper tank on Monday, but by Tuesday it, too, was covered with 1.5 inches of ice.  Now, I know a 1000 pound cow can easily break through that much ice, but these are Texas cows, and have probably never encountered this much ice before.  I’m not sure they understand that water lies just below the ice.  Sooooo….John pulled out his trusty axe and chopped holes for them to drink.  Fortunately, by today the creek by the spring has thawed and they have ready access to drinking water.

Not only do we have cattle depending on us for food and water, the yard is full of birds looking for something to eat.  There aren’t many seeds left on the trees this time of year, and most of the weeds and grasses are covered in snow.  We scatter seed on the porches and patio rocks, as well as feel our five feeders at least once a day.  

The resident cardinals visit, as do flocks of chipping sparrows and pine siskin.  The sparrows prefer the mixed seeds, and congregate in harmonious flocks on the feeders and rocks.

The pine siskin, on the other hand, are vicious little guys.  They flock to the niger thistle feeder, and do not share well.  As long as they are on opposite sides of the feeder, there is peace.  However, when another pine siskin dares to approach the feeder, a mid-air brawl occurs.  They go at each other with wings, beaks and tiny talons to protect their feeding spot.  Hummingbirds have nothing on these winged warriors when it comes to refusing to share resources.

In spite of the cold weather, farm chores and staying inside most of the time, we are the fortunate ones.  We have been blessed with electric power most of the time, thanks to the good folks at United Cooperative Services.  While much of Central Texas has been forced to endure days with no power and frozen pipes, we have had only a couple of days of “rolling blackouts” that last for 35 minutes every four hours.  This has allowed us to keep our well pump running and our faucets dripping to prevent frozen pipes. 

The dogs have learned how to live with boredom while forced to stay inside, but are very happy when they get some snow time.  

They race through the frozen pastures, and search for mice and bunnies under tufts of grass.

Kota even rolled on her back and made a snow angel.

She was very proud!

While outside, the dogs stop frequently for bites of snow.

Oh no, wait.  That isn't snow Rue is eating.  She has found a frozen "cow pie" just below the surface.  What a treat!  In her opinion much better than a fudgsickle.

The winter weather isn’t quite over.  The thermometer showed 23 degrees when we crawled out of bed this morning, but we have been spared the snow and ice that is falling and forming over Austin and areas to the south and west.  Our area is predicted to have sunshine and just-above-freezing temperatures by tomorrow afternoon.  We hope the weather-guessers are as accurate about the coming week as they were about this one.  And, we hope our neighbors will see moderating weather as well.