Sunflower Lunch

This local squirrel came to check out the sunflower buffet today. He climbed the 5ft high stalk and balanced on the leaf branches, leaning out and under the sunflower head trying to get a bite.

He looks like he is smiling - don't you think?

Turtle

While visiting a local garden center this week, I spotted the resident turtle sunning himself on a rock in the middle of his pond. He had his back leg extended. Was he sleeping? Or just stretching?

Garden Visitor

After a wonderful needed rain yesterday, this morning was cooler and overcast, perfect for weeding the backyard. This little guy joined me and was showing off on the handle of my shovel.

In her second book, Down to Earth: Practical Thoughts for Passionate Gardeners, Margot Rochester wrote with humor, "Some folks have an overdeveloped sense of tidiness and should get over it."
"Whatever goal you set, the garden should make you happy. Why else would you go to the trouble and expense?" And, "The moral of the story is this: never work harder than absolutely necessary, especially in the garden. Gardening should always be a labor of love."

Saguaro in Texas?

I visited a cool cactus store this weekend near Spicewood.

They had some Saguaro cactus made from cedar posts near the entrance.

The wildflowers blooming in the field are Mexican hat.

Agave Bloom Update 2

The pods on the arms extending out from the agave bloom stalk have begun to open.

CART

One of my favorite greenhouse/nursery locations has metal carts for hauling plants while you shop. I noticed one day that each one has a name written in chalk on the back. These names always make me smile. All the names have "cart" in them. Example: Magna Carta, Dolly Carton, Paul McCartney, Milk Carton, Cartoon, Cart of Monte Cresto, etc. I think in early spring the employees must have had a slow day - very creative minds!

Baby Gecko

This morning while out in my backyard, I saw a baby gecko on a sunflower leaf.

Agave Bloom Update

The agave plants have continued to grow in height and now the bloom stalk has "arms" coming out in several places near the top with ball clusters at the ends.