Observations by hobartian

Each year, the Cedar Waxwings devour every holly berry on our 15 foot tree, usually in one entire day, arriving anywhere from late February to early March (2nd photo). The downside is the death of several from window collision into our 25" cathedral ceiling windows, sadly. After finding 5 on our roof and the birds not yet done with the tree, I placed a sheet of cardboard in the window to reduce reflection and it seemed to work to prevent more deaths. Next year, once I see the birds arrive, I will try that again to see if we continue to have collisions.

This red faced Muscovy duck came for a visit - friendly and diving for food in my tree roots area near the acre pond. As its red face seems quite smooth, wondering if it is a young male - update - believe this is a female from her small amount of red carunkles and quiet cooing sound emitted occasionally - gentle and follows me around including walking from the pond to the patio (about 75') - stays close to me when I am working in the yard. Seemed to be at home in our pond after a month but left finally, and in the past 6 days, has come back twice for a day at a time.

Walking my forest area and found this pond slider just finishing up covering her new nest after about 30 minutes of digging in the sandy soil in the open about 200' from the pond edge - I'll be watching in about 60+ days to see if they hatch. They have along way to the water through a lot of forest scrub! Watched her wander back to the pond.

While these are not boar like, these wild pigs are getting bold in our forest area rooting up large pine needle covered area creating a major mess. Typically, see a mother and her 4 offspring but saw 7 in one grouping one night. Not sure but think spotted ones are male. Haven't seen daddy.

Cedar Waxwings resting in trees early Spring, ready to strip our holly tree of every berry in less than 6 hours (while we watch from our patio!) Hard to get good closeup so photo is slightly enhanced.

Feral hog rooting around near our pond area making quite a mark! Not a huge one but big enough. Evidence shows there may have been a baby or babies near by as well. This is one of about 8 sightings around this time.

Crow sized Pileated Woodpecker on our front road - not best picture as taken through window screen. Seems to live in our small forest area out back. Once rare, not so much now in East TX.

Brilliant red cap-like flower in a bushy lime green plant; spreads profusely if not cut back. We cut ours back each Fall to the ground and it bounces back with a vengeance in Spring - it can survive winter without flowers however. The bees and butterflies love it.