The Quiet Wild in Texas

02/20/2026

February?

It is February 20, and 82 degrees in the quiet wild today! Everything in the natural world thinks it is spring. Below are a few images of plants that have decided to start producing buds. The Turk's Cap is having a vigorous rebirth this year! I am so excited that the Milkweed plant came back after the freeze. There were so many Monarch butterflies last year that I want to be prepared this year....

It is February 20, and 82 degrees in the quiet wild today! Everything in the natural world thinks it is spring. Below are a few images of plants that have decided to start producing buds. The Turk&…

02/01/2026

Domesticated animals in the quiet wild

Since winter has taken hold of our backyard sanctuary, I thought I would use this post to celebrate the domesticated animals that inhabit the quiet wild. Over the years, we have had many dogs live alongside us. They have always been a comfort to us and provided a lot of humor to our days. . Doc is our oldest pup at 14 years old....

Since winter has taken hold of our backyard sanctuary, I thought I would use this post to celebrate the domesticated animals that inhabit the quiet wild. Over the years, we have had many dogs live …

01/26/2026

Winter in the Quiet Wild

It is winter in the quiet wild. We have had our first deep freeze, so the place really looks like it's winter now. Thankfully, I cut back most of the plants to allow them to use their energy to produce strong new growth for the spring. Removing the dead wood prevents pests and disease from overwintering in the plant. I also use the cutting back activity to help reshape plants like roses....

It is winter in the quiet wild. We have had our first deep freeze, so the place really looks like it’s winter now. Thankfully, I cut back most of the plants to allow them to use their energy …

01/13/2026

Goldfinches!

Sometimes goldfinches one by one will drop From low hung branches; little space they stop; But sip, and twitter, and their feathers sleek; Then off at once, as in a wanton freak: Or perhaps, to show their black, and golden wings Pausing upon their yellow flutterings. ~John Keats John Keats truly captures the goldfinches in the quiet wild. The goldfinches have been gathering in groups to enjoy the seed in the feeders....

Sometimes goldfinches one by one will drop From low hung branches; little space they stop; But sip, and twitter, and their feathers sleek; Then off at once, as in a wanton freak: Or perhaps, to sho…

01/01/2026

Happy New Year, 2026

The calendar says January 1, 2026, but the quiet wild does not look like it! Our recent, unseasonably warm weather has convinced the plants that it is not winter. All of these photos were taken on January 1, 2026. Peggy Martin climbing rose Beggar ticks Geranium Passionflower Borage Kalanchoe The Goldfinches showed up in the quiet wild today. I have been on the lookout for them, but didn't expect to see them so early!...

The calendar says January 1, 2026, but the quiet wild does not look like it! Our recent, unseasonably warm weather has convinced the plants that it is not winter. All of these photos were taken on …

12/14/2025

A cold snap in the quiet wild

In typical Texas fashion, our weather has been ever-changing, in the upper 70s one day and the low 30s the next. As you will remember from a previous post, the monarch caterpillars have continued to lay eggs during our continuous warm weather. I shared several pictures of the caterpillars on my milkweed and the many chrysalises around the yard a couple of weeks ago....

In typical Texas fashion, our weather has been ever-changing, in the upper 70s one day and the low 30s the next. As you will remember from a previous post, the monarch caterpillars have continued t…

11/25/2025

The Soggy Quiet Wild

The backyard sanctuary finally got rain. Typically for Texas, we got lots of rain and wind all at once! As I went out to observe the results of the rain after so long without it, I found hidden beauty. The spiders had been busy building their webs, and the morning light reflected off the webs and the water drops. It was mesmerizing....

The backyard sanctuary finally got rain. Typically for Texas, we got lots of rain and wind all at once! As I went out to observe the results of the rain after so long without it, I found hidden bea…

11/11/2025

Please click on the image if you want to see a closer view of any of the photos. The Beaver Moon was just beautiful on the morning of November 5. I observed it last night, coming home from choir practice, but didn't have my camera to take a photo. But, it was so clear this morning that I got an almost perfect shot!...

Please click on the image if you want to see a closer view of any of the photos. The Beaver Moon was just beautiful on the morning of November 5. I observed it last night, coming home from choir pr…

11/03/2025

I caught this little green tree frog sleeping in a morning glory leaf this glorious fall afternoon. He seems very content curled in the brown leaf. He was completely undisturbed by my camera in his face! The monarch butterflies continue to emerge from their chrysalis. Six of them were flitting around the lantana bush yesterday. I was amazed that there were so many this late in the season!...

I caught this little green tree frog sleeping in a morning glory leaf this glorious fall afternoon. He seems very content curled in the brown leaf. He was completely undisturbed by my camera in his…

10/10/2025

The backyard sanctuary has endured without me for the past couple of weeks. As I survey my little wilderness, it is apparent that the fall season is looming. The plants have slowed their growth, and the blooms are much less frequent and less vibrant. But that is the beauty of the natural world. When the days become shorter and the temps start their slow dip (in Texas, anyway), plants and animals recognize the signs....

The backyard sanctuary has endured without me for the past couple of weeks. As I survey my little wilderness, it is apparent that the fall season is looming. The plants have slowed their growth, an…

09/26/2025

There are several different kinds of amphibians and reptiles living in my garden. This little guy and a couple of his frog friends decided that the bird house hanging in the flower bed would be a g…

09/26/2025

Retirement from full-time work offers lots of time to experiment and try new hobbies. I dabbled in gardening for many years, and grew more confident in those skills as I put plants in the ground an…