Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Settled at Santa Ana NWR


While we were gone over the summer, the folks here decided our request for a gate closer to the Military Highway was a good idea.  They installed one, and in the process went through our site to hook it up to a power outlet which helped make the area nicer (in my opinion).  As most of you know...I hate guinea grass and pull it every year we are back!!!  Kim and crew sprayed it last season, but it is hardy and keeps coming back.


As you can see, we have already been cleaning it up...raking, leveling, and removing debris.  Now I will have to sweet talk Bob into letting me plant some native plants.

One of the critters out our window is the Fox Squirrel.  It is not wanted here as it is non native.  We did enjoy watching it store ebony seeds by burying them in the ground.

We got a little rain since we've been here...enough to create some pools of water on our patio.  We were sitting at the dining room table and just happened to see this Texas Tortoise (a threatened species) getting a drink of some very fresh rain water.  Now, how many of you have seen that sight?  We felt very fortunate.



Now ain't she special????  I always thought they got their water from prickly pear cactus.  She stayed there drinking slowly (as they do everything slowly) for a good 5 minutes.  I might get involved in research of these wonderful creatures...do I really want to put myself out there with ticks and chiggers and rattlesnakes...OH MY????


I will leave you with this...The Great Kisskadee.  I guess I could have photoshopped it and taken the leaf out but I DON'T do those kind of things.

1 comment:

  1. Looks like you may have won the war on Guinea Grass.... for now! Loved the pictures of the Texas Tortoise. I never did see one while we were there.

    We finally have the Cardinal off of blocks! She now has new bearings, bushings, grease seals, shocks, and shackles (whatever they are)! Anyway, hope she is willing to give us a few more years. Earn is glad that he is finally done as rolling around under her on the creeper was really starting to get to his back!

    Still have not decided where to go this winter. Wherever it is warm will suit me fine!

    Take care and keep those pictures coming, love seeing where you have been and what you have been up to! :)

    Penny

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