Rancho Cardinalis is located in the Texas Hill Country outside the village of Center Point that rests on the Guadalupe River. We acquired the ranch in 2005, built temporary living quarters in 2006 and our home in 2009. Our ranch is managed under a State wildlife plan. The focus is on Near-Artic and Neo-Tropical migratory & breeding Hill County birds. We also manage for small mammals and butterflies. The ranch is named after our most abundant bird – Northern Cardinal - cardinalis
Texas Forest Stewardship award
In 2007 we received a Texas Forest Stewardship award. L-R; Susan Sander, Sherry Collins, Clay Bales, Tom Collins
Sunday, May 31, 2015
THE MONTH OF MAY MAYBE THE WETTEST EVER
During the month of may we recorded 0ver 16 inches of rain - the grass is outgrowing the wildflowers and the drought is over.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
ANOTHER TRIP TO ALBUQUERQUE
On the way we had to stop in Roswell for the typical Alien picture.
We took a long hike at Tent Rock National Monument.
Monday, May 4, 2015
HUMMER FEEDING FEAST
This year's hummers appear to be eating a lot more food than last year's bunch which I though were ravenous feeders, but nothing compared to this years crowd. I'm doing 33% solution this year and maybe that can help explain this feeding frenzy every evening. I'm going through about 6 - 9 cups of 33% sugar water per day.
There are 4 more feeders that have about the same number of hummers coming at the same time. Majority are Black-chinned - estimate 30-50 birds.
There are 4 more feeders that have about the same number of hummers coming at the same time. Majority are Black-chinned - estimate 30-50 birds.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
2015 VEGETABLE GARDEN
I started the garden out early this year with another yard of the 4 in one mix soil and added two yards of composted mulch. My first veggies were Collar Flower, Cabbage, Broccoli, Onions and Red Potatoes. The CF and Broccoli came in fast and were munched on by a Rock Squirrel that can climb the 6 foot high fence. We got a few meals out of them, but quickly I pulled them and planted the rest of the garden.
I put in two 25 foot rows of beans - Kentucky Wonder, Top Crop and Evergreen. Also planted several varieties of tomatoes, green bell peppers, banana peppers, yellow squash, Tatume squash, Zucchini squash, and Acorn squash. We've eaten one of the cabbages and there are 4 large heads ready to be picked. Later I will start digging for potatoes and pull some of the Onions. Tomatoes have flowers and one has fruit - Juliet. Waiting on my first bean and then it will be too many beans I'm sure, but hey can be frozen.
I put in two 25 foot rows of beans - Kentucky Wonder, Top Crop and Evergreen. Also planted several varieties of tomatoes, green bell peppers, banana peppers, yellow squash, Tatume squash, Zucchini squash, and Acorn squash. We've eaten one of the cabbages and there are 4 large heads ready to be picked. Later I will start digging for potatoes and pull some of the Onions. Tomatoes have flowers and one has fruit - Juliet. Waiting on my first bean and then it will be too many beans I'm sure, but hey can be frozen.
Friday, May 1, 2015
NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY TOUR AT LOVE CREEK
Today I co-lead a Boerne Native Plant Society group at Love Creek today. I arrived about 1 hour early and drove the loop road to close to the trail head and planted my third Lacey Oak along this road.
Drove back down and waited while the Boerne NPSOT group started arriving. One of the members walked up to me and said do I recognize her...well duh I tried to think where we met - NPSOT or Master Naturalist or Master Gardner or some other field trip I lead until she said her name - Danell 'Dani' Wallis Vollmer - one of my good friends from Northside High School Class of '60. I immediately recognized her then - amazing how your brain can rewind and have all those old flashbacks from 1960. I was really glad to she her in such wonderful heath after her prior medical issues-she went down and up that very rough trail like a champ...couldn't resist one good hug after we got back up on top...
Drove back down and waited while the Boerne NPSOT group started arriving. One of the members walked up to me and said do I recognize her...well duh I tried to think where we met - NPSOT or Master Naturalist or Master Gardner or some other field trip I lead until she said her name - Danell 'Dani' Wallis Vollmer - one of my good friends from Northside High School Class of '60. I immediately recognized her then - amazing how your brain can rewind and have all those old flashbacks from 1960. I was really glad to she her in such wonderful heath after her prior medical issues-she went down and up that very rough trail like a champ...couldn't resist one good hug after we got back up on top...
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