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
Frickin’ Frass
Re: the post title — pardon my French. Except in this case, “frass” is actually German. As long as we’re on the subject of disgusting worm-related phenomenon, lately we’ve been dealing with an infestation of walnut caterpillars on our pecan trees. It’s bad enough that they’re not abiding by their names — no one in… Continue reading Frickin’ Frass
Central Texas Flatworms
I was on our front walkway this morning and noticed what I thought was a really skinny earthworm inching its way across the pavers. Upon closer inspection, I decided it wasn’t an earthworm but I had no clue as to what it was. Its distinguishing feature was a flat, paddle-like head with what appeared to… Continue reading Central Texas Flatworms