Spring is Here Along the Coast

A neighbor's citrus tree begs to be picked.

If anyone doubts that spring is here along the Texas coast, just check out these photos. If this isn't enough evidence, today's current temperature is 84 degrees F. The hummingbirds are migrating back north from South America, the fishing is good and the air conditioners and mosquitoes are humming.

Our Knockout rose bush is full of blooms.

Tufted Titmouse sleep while mama is out.

Figaro, figaro, figaro! Sorry, I couldn't help it.

As I walked today, I wondered what all is in bloom in the neighborhood that the dang deer haven't eaten. I don't know the names of some of these plants, but that didn't stop me from taking a photo. One thing I have discovered since moving to the coast is that many spring/summer plants don't die out unless there's a freeze. So my hibiscus, impatiens and coleus, all holdovers from last year, have gotten big and showy. Also, we have Tufted Titmouse babies in our birdhouse. It's so sweet to watch the mama bring in food to her babies. And she perches atop a branch and scolds my dogs for disrupting her household.

Since we have 22 Live Oaks in our backyard, we had the trees sprayed this morning for Leaf Rollers or Loopers, little worms that can defoliate Live Oaks making them more susceptible to diseases and insects. They feed in early spring and will often eat all of the newly developed leaves.

Our neighbor's  bougainvillea on the side of their house.

As the men were spraying, I wondered about the safety of my side yard garden. They weren't wearing masks or gloves, but told me to keep my dogs in and move their water bowl from the fallout. Hum, that's odd I thought.

Don't know what this is, but it's growing wild in a field.

So good washing is in order for our romaine lettuce, tomatoes, rosemary, cilantro and basil. And we planted (twice) sunflowers on the end of the garden to perk up the view from our bedroom window. But, there is a problem. Last fall we put my son's turtle, Freddie, in the side yard for a natural habitat since he outgrew his aquarium. Well, we hadn't seen Freddie for months and assumed he had escaped to greener pastures. That is until all of our sunflowers started to disappear. We wondered if it was a raccoon. Or could the deer possibly jump over the fence? Or birds? We wrapped the garden in netting and kept a watchful eye. Alas, it's Freddie. At least we can wrestle a turtle without risk of being kicked.

Enjoy the photos. And yes, the humidity is also back along with spring

The Wondering Texan

The lime tree is full of baby fruit.