January 18, 2012

Winter Sightings



The spring-like weather has encouraged lots of wildlife to take flight this winter.  I've spotted hummingbirds at the globe mallow and pineapple sage.  Yesterday three skippers simultaneously flitted about the globe mallow looking quite happy in the 70 degree temperatures.  While wandering at Barton Springs Nursery I captured this red admiral with my phone camera.  It was so happy to have the warm sun resting on its wings that it wasn't at all worried about me standing within inches to take the shot.



While these mild winter days have been over-the-top enjoyable, please keep Texas in your prayers.  The exceptional drought continues; in Central Texas we are still over 23" behind in rainfall since October 2010 when this drought began.  Tonight our City Council will deliberate water conservation/restriction measures for the city.   This really could be a dire summer for wildlife, ranchers, farmers and gardeners if we don't get some substantial rainfall soon.

25 comments:

  1. i know i've been celebrating the rains we've managed to get to green up the pasture and yard, and rejuvenate a bit of the pond, but yes, the water suppliers are still in dire straits...

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  2. I get the Red Admiral in my garden too. It likes to sun itself on the concrete patio table. However since the reno the table is no longer there...

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  3. What a beautiful butterfly! I wish we had a visitor like that here, stunning!! Hope you get a little cool/rain soon, crossing my fingers you don't have the dry like last spring/summer and your reserves fill!

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  4. We will keep Texas in our prayers Cat! Hopefully you will get rain soon.

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  5. 70 sounds really nice. I awoke to minus 4 F on Monday, brrr. That butterfly is gorgeous! I’ll think wet thoughts for Texas. We’ve had less snow than usual and too much freezing rain. I love the roses on the post below.

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  6. I guess spring is closer than I think! Yes rainfall is necessary to ease everyone's fears..and prayer is necessary to relieve those fears. Will do.

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  7. I've been loving the warm weather, but I worry what summer will bring. I can't stand to think we might have another year like last. I hope the council makes some wise decisions.

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  8. It's shocking to me to be thinking about drought in the middle of winter, makes me realize just how bad the situation is there. Will be thinking of you in the months to come.

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  9. I have so been enjoying these nice warm days of "winter," but really, we are just kind of lulled into thinking we are not still in a drought because of the cooler-than-summer temps. Next summer will be interesting for sure.

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  10. Prayers for rain for you, Cat! I hope the drought breaks and that you'll have a more normal spring and summer. Enjoy the 70s, though. That sounds perfect!

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  11. Yes, Cat. Thank you for asking all your followers to keep Texas in their thoughts and prayers. GIven the dry, mild winter we are having, it doesn't bode well for the type of summer we are likely to have. Frightens me just to think of it :/

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  12. A magnificent capture, Cat - beautiful detail and colors.

    Sure hope your drought breaks soon !

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  13. How nice to see hummers and butterflies in January! Winter is our season to replenish from the hot, dry summers. If we don't get lots of winter rain we know we will have water troubles the rest of the year. I hope that y'all get some moisture to get things back on track in Texas!

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  14. In the midst of the terrible news your critters bring a ray of sunshine...sending you wishes for lots of water soon.

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  15. I know how difficult droughts can be, but, then, I have only had to deal with them for no more than 10 to 12 weeks at a time. I hope you get a reprieve very soon. Nature is so unpredictable...I am sure you wish some of that snow in the midwest would move your way for a while.

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  16. I'll definitely pray for rain for you and all drought areas.

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  17. Hey Cat, I got home safely and I miss you guys already! Guess what? It's raining here :( I really hope you'll get more of the weather you had in Mid-December!

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  18. Wow, 70 degrees! Just a week ago we were continuing to have a 'warmer than usual' Winter (mid-40's) - then slam & jam, it was sub-zero the other night! You should have heard all the "hardy" Midwesterners cry the Blues!

    Certainly we all send well wishes and prayers down your way, for a more temperate Summer while easing the ground back into fruitfulness.

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  19. While it is lovely to see such visitors in January, I imagine it must also be deeply concerning, lots of rain must be what you most need, not yet more warm dry weather.

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  20. I will continue to pray for you!!! Always, always, always!!!

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  21. Dear Cat, Sometimes I feel so inept in not knowing what is going on around the country and world relating to weather, when we have so much information available at our fingertips. I am so sorry to learn you have been suffering from a continued drought. I do hope you have a wet spring in store.

    What a lucky capture and your phone camera did a great job. It looks like a freshly emerged Admiral you were admiring . . . possibly that is why you could get so close. Beautiful!

    I want to thank you for your very kind words. I could sure use an hour of yoga.

    Thinking of you and your parched land. Wishing you a steady rain for weeks at least . . . with bits of sunshine in between until your water tables are saturated. Carol

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  22. Oh dear, Cat, I share your feelings about the rain not coming around... at Kagawa where I live, we are prone to such a situation too... luckily, we have had a good amount of rain this year... hope the 'rain god' will look your way soon...

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  23. Cat, thanks for visiting my post. That is a very beautiful butterfly but your hint of a long drought is not a good news for your garden and these lovely creatures. At least you have a cool weather. Our dry season seems to be already here, and i hope it will not be as long and as hot as last two years.

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  24. LOVE your photos! I can't believe you've still got hummers around. I really, really hope we're all wrong about this upcoming gardening season and the possibility of more drought. Every time I go to Austin I freak about how different it looks with everything dead or dying. Thank goodness for gardeners for keeping things going.

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