It’s been an interesting week or two around Casa Fire Ant, as we’ve had the opportunity to observe some rather unique natural phenomena without getting very far from home. Or, without even getting out of the house. Let’s start with that last thing, how about? I was sitting in the office working on some complex… Continue reading Home is Where the Nature Is
The Perfected Art of Planned Obsolescence (…or, “I should have paid it off slower”)
I celebrated a monumental event last week. It wasn’t my wedding anniversary, nor my wife’s birthday, although those things did take place…but they do pretty much every year. No, this was something that happens only very rarely: I paid off my iPhone. I had been anticipating this blessed occurrence for a few months, but that… Continue reading The Perfected Art of Planned Obsolescence (…or, “I should have paid it off slower”)
Time Out for a Blog PSA: Y’all, it’s just a hobby!
I received a lot of responses — primarily via Facebook — to yesterday’s post about the Fire Ant Gazette-themed mask. And while I was gratified that so many were interested, I was a bit taken aback at the apparent perception by some that I was actively seeking help in promoting the Gazette. Don’t tell anyone… Continue reading Time Out for a Blog PSA: Y’all, it’s just a hobby!
A Fire Ant Gazette mask? Why not? 2020 is a disaster anyway.
As you can see below, in an obvious act of shameless self-promotion, I have commissioned a limited edition run of Fire Ant Gazette masks guaranteed* to absolutely prevent the transmission of COVID-19 cooties. I’m told that the more of my face that’s covered, the better for everyone. COVID or no. OK, so when I say… Continue reading A Fire Ant Gazette mask? Why not? 2020 is a disaster anyway.
Trapping Update: The Armadillo Abides
Will you still need me, will you still feed me When I’m sixty-four. — Some obscure musical group It’s been a while since I posted anything about our varmint trapping endeavors at Casa Fire Ant, and although nothing of great significance has happened over the past few months, we have achieved a minor milestone:… Continue reading Trapping Update: The Armadillo Abides
“Agricultural Tragic” – Another Bullseye from Corb Lund
I was going to post a varmint trapping update today but then I realized that Corb Lund‘s latest album just dropped and the critter count cuento will just have to wait. You have to be a long-time Gazette reader (I doubt there are many of you, but if you qualify — bless your heart!) to… Continue reading “Agricultural Tragic” – Another Bullseye from Corb Lund
Texas Spiny Lizard Nesting Behavior
One late afternoon last week, Debbie was looking out a dining room window and spotted a strange sight in the courtyard. She called me over to have a look, and for the next couple of hours, we watched a fascinating process unfold. Alert Gazette readers will recall the previous post in which I described, by… Continue reading Texas Spiny Lizard Nesting Behavior
Neighborhood Nature (Pt. 4): Circle of Life Edition
I don’t know whether it’s because we’ve been stuck at home more this year, but I’ve noticed more evidence than ever before that spring in our neighborhood is a matter of life and death…and I’m not talking about COVID-19 at all. If the Circle of Life was unrolled and laid flat in a trend line,… Continue reading Neighborhood Nature (Pt. 4): Circle of Life Edition
Leaving the Nest…Literally
Alert Gazette readers will recall that only two days ago, I predicted that the juvenile red-shouldered hawks next door would be leaving the nest “within the next couple of weeks.” Well, we discovered today that my prediction was off by only…well…a couple of weeks. I walked outside early this morning in time to see one… Continue reading Leaving the Nest…Literally
Checking in on the hawk family
It’s been about six weeks since I discovered the active red-shouldered hawk nest in a live oak tree adjacent to our property. At that time, the female raptor appeared to be spending her time incubating eggs, an assumption that was confirmed a few weeks later. Up until now, I’ve had to rely on my drone… Continue reading Checking in on the hawk family