Texas Fall/Winter thread!

Western · Mar 9, 2014

bindian said:
We got a half inch of rain yesterday. It was raining while I slept, so I will check the gage again today. Friday afternoon, I walked around the barn and noticed the wet weather springs were seeping, so the ground is soaked here.
hugs, Brandi

rlgustafson said:
3" in rain gauge this morning plus had another 3/4" while were in NYC. With our sandy soil it's like quick sand here today. Tractors staying parked.
View attachment 364562

Man, y'all got some decent rains!:thumbsup: Only place around here that moist, would be Jimmy's place!!!

Charlie, I don't think a bee would be safe if Jim had all the hoses going!!

Kyle_in_Tex · Mar 9, 2014

Only 11 days until we switch back over to the spring/summer thread!

First Day of Spring Vernal Equinox 2014

Still cold here.

pacerron · Mar 9, 2014

jinman said:
They have to get in line behind the hummingbirds,; however, the bumblebees take over my yellow squash when they are in bloom. The bumblebee's legs look like Popeye's arms with the pollen hanging off of them. Even so, I've never had a bumblebee or honeybee that was aggressive in the garden. I try to teach my grandson that he need not be afraid or try to fight them, but he is so bug-a-phobic that he goes nuts if there's one within 20' of him.

Can your grandson distinguish between a bumblebee and a Carpenter Bee?:bumblebee::construction:

Western · Mar 9, 2014

pacerron said:
Can your grandson distinguish between a bumblebee and a Carpenter Bee?:bumblebee::construction:

Ron, that is too easy:confused3: Kids up there in Ohio must be slower than these Texas kids geee. Every body knows the difference, bubble bee has gum, the Carpenter bee has a tool belt.:duh::laughing:

Bird · Mar 9, 2014

The only time I can recall being stung by a bumble bee was once when I was picking okra when I was a kid and didn't see the bee on the back side of a leaf until I touched it. For a long time after that, I wore gloves when picking okra. But I've never had a bumble bee act aggressive if left alone.

blueriver · Mar 9, 2014

90 day outlook calls got "below normal" rainfall .. Geez I hope they are wrong .. I've got fairly good ground moisture and the fertilize is out .. I need that wheat crop ... Friday is the deadline for USDA hay and grazing insurance ... Just saying

bindian · Mar 10, 2014

We got another 3/10ths of an inch of rain last night. So we received 8/10ths of an inch this weekend.
hugs, Brandi

jinman · Mar 10, 2014

bindian said:
We got another 3/10ths of an inch of rain last night. So we received 8/10ths of an inch this weekend.
hugs, Brandi

I am soooo J E A L O U S! !!

Lou66 · Mar 10, 2014

I have a 55 gal drum of bees in a stall at the barn where I keep my tools.. They were singing yesterday.. I will get someone out one of these days to haul them off.. barrel and all.. they have been there about two years so.. I hang up a couple of humming bird feeders in the winter,, fill them a couple times a week.. I go in to get a tool they buss around but never lites on me,, I don't bother them and they don't bother me.. live and let live.. Lou

jinman · Mar 10, 2014

Lou66 said:
I hang up a couple of humming bird feeders in the winter,, fill them a couple times a week..

That makes you their "sugar daddy," don't you know?

pacerron · Mar 10, 2014

Lou66 said:
I have a 55 gal drum of bees in a stall at the barn where I keep my tools.. They were singing yesterday.. I will get someone out one of these days to haul them off.. barrel and all.. they have been there about two years so.. I hang up a couple of humming bird feeders in the winter,, fill them a couple times a week.. I go in to get a tool they buss around but never lites on me,, I don't bother them and they don't bother me.. live and let live.. Lou

I'll send you some "bald faced" hornets. They would love your hospitality.

Lou66 · Mar 10, 2014

Jim they are my little money,, I mean honey makers..

,, I will get a picture of the drum today.. If I can remember it.. Lou

Lou66 · Mar 10, 2014

we don't have a lot of hornets in this area Ron.. growing up in Oklahoma we had lots of them.. wonder why?.. to wet I guess the land to flat and it floods??. Lou

pacerron · Mar 10, 2014

Lou66 said:
we don't have a lot of hornets in this area Ron.. growing up in Oklahoma we had lots of them.. wonder why?.. to wet I guess the land to flat and it floods??. Lou

No problem Lou.
The ones I sent will prefer the highest peak of your house or barns and have generations of experience with hummingbird feeders.
Expect a brown paper box with no return address.

Bird · Mar 10, 2014

I see several posts that mention hummingbirds. I had not put out a hummingbird feeder in at least 12, maybe 15 years, but the 16th of last month, I bought one, and a big bottle of the red liquid to put in it. Now I figured it was too early in the year, but I hung it up outside anyway. I don't know if there's been a hummingbird around it or not; haven't seen any anyway, but plenty of bees on it and something, probably just the bees and/or evaporation has lowered the level of liquid about one-fourth. I think there's at least a dozen bees on it right now.

pacerron · Mar 10, 2014

Bird said:
I see several posts that mention hummingbirds. I had not put out a hummingbird feeder in at least 12, maybe 15 years, but the 16th of last month, I bought one, and a big bottle of the red liquid to put in it. Now I figured it was too early in the year, but I hung it up outside anyway. I don't know if there's been a hummingbird around it or not; haven't seen any anyway, but plenty of bees on it and something, probably just the bees and/or evaporation has lowered the level of liquid about one-fourth. I think there's at least a dozen bees on it right now.

Bird,
We never had much luck with that red water stuff.

My wife mixes 1/2 cup sugar to 1 cup of water and we have two feeders that are always full of hummers and others trying to
nose in.
In early May if we haven't put out the feeders yet the first ones to migrate back come around back and hover in front of the
dining room french doors to tell us to get with the program, so we know they have been here before.

Western · Mar 10, 2014

Bird, you will be doing the HB good if you make the nectar as Ron and I do. 4-1 ratio. DO NOT use food coloring

here is an excerpt and a good web site with info on HB.

-One part sugar

-Four parts water

-Boil for 2 minutes

-Cool and fill feeders made for hummingbirds

Bet you didn't know that how to make hummingbird food could be so easy!

There is no need to add food coloring to the feed and it may actually be detrimental to the birds. Why take the chance?

Here is the link:
How To Make Hummingbird Food

NativeSon · Mar 11, 2014

Yesterday morning 38* and really thick fog but no rain. And in the afternoon 75* and sunshine, 36 degree swing...........That's Texas Weather.

Charlie

texasjohn · Mar 11, 2014

Texas Roadside Attractions.

So I ran across this web site of Texas road side attractions. An amazingly long list with photos and location information.

All Texas TBNers should do themselves a favor and take a look.

Bird · Mar 11, 2014

Bet you didn't know that how to make hummingbird food could be so easy!

Actually, I did know.:laughing: Many, many years ago, an avid birdwatcher co-worker told me. He had pictures of the hummingbirds sitting on his and his kids fingers in their backyard in Dallas. So I tried that sugar and water recipe the last time I put our hummingbird feeders (as I said, lots of years ago) in Navarro County, and I never saw a hummingbird near it. In fact, only a few bees, but then the ants found it.

ullinghair:

So, once again, I'm giving it a try and whether the hummingbirds show up or not, I think the red color is prettier for me to sit on the patio and look at.:laughing: