We're Getting Close to Fall...aren't we?

~ Snailseed Vine * Fort Worth, Texas * photo by Suzanne

Well, howdy there, gardening podnahs!  We are now into the middle of September, and banking on an early fall.  Come next week, Autumn is supposed to become official!  Is it just a rumor?

 Also, I have not been very present on MyTexasGardens this summer, and, I apologize for that.  The weather has been pretty hot and muggy, and I just wasn't up for fighting off mosquitoes and pesky wasps!  Let's hope I become a bit more motivated as the weather cools down! 

The photo above is of a vine on my fence that faces south, and, this plant is a regular every Spring, and, into the Fall before Winter freezes it out.  They call it the Snailseed Vine, or, Moonseed Vine.  When I first saw this climbing the fence years ago, I would try to cut it off to get rid of it.  But, then I noticed the pretty little shiny berries, and have come to welcome the vine with an approving smile.  I don't cut it back anymore either, lol!

* Yahoo images

Snailseed vine grows easily throughout Texas, usually popping up in early Spring.   It is also capable of spreading itself around,  growing on shrubs, and hanging from trees.  The plant does not have thorns, as does the Greenbriar...ugh, I have some of that too!  And, yes...the berries can be toxic to humans, but, the birds love them!  I wonder why this Texas vine is called the Carolina Snailseed vine!  Could it be because it attracts the Carolina Chickadee?  Chickadees prefer nuts and sunflower seeds, but will eat berries in the winter.

~ Carolina Chickadee * photo by Suzanne

*** I had to work to get this photo...Chickadees move fast!  I got lucky on this one!

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~ Here is another view of the Snailseed on my neighbor's side of the fence. 

 My white Oleander is in the background of the photo ~  

* taken by Suzanne 9-16-17 *

Even though I did not plant this vine, I did find that you can purchase the seeds for planting, or harvest your own seeds.  You simply peal the fruit off of a ripe berry and the seed is actually shaped like a snail!  EW!  The berries are pretty small, and I did not want to dive into that one, so I sleuthed (is that a word?) the internet, and found a picture of the seed.  They can be planted in late Fall or early Spring, shallowly, in part shade to full sun, near a fence or trellis.  This plant is not capable of attaching to another wooded plant, so it will travel to find something suitable for climbing.  

Snailseed seeds *  Yahoo images

If the roots don't freeze out in the winter, you can count on this one returning in the Spring.  The berries will stay in order for the birds to enjoy them as the Winter progresses.  Then the leaves will die back, giving the appearance of a dead plant.  But, mine always returns!

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So, there we have it my dear friends!  With a bit of summer left, going into fall, the grounds are changing, and the trees are taking on new meaning,  My Pecan trees are loaded, and the squirrels are busy trying to get some of the nuts buried!

I believe we're well on our way to a productive Autumn season, don't you agree?

* Pecan tree * photo by Suzanne July 29,2017 * Fort Worth, Texas

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Thank you so much for coming by today. It has been a stressful time for many folks who have suffered through recent Hurricanes and devastating flooding.  There have also been some tragic wildfires, destroying wooded areas and homes.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

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The elementary school that my grandson attends, pulled together and reached out to all parents and staff for donations of supplies to aid the victims of  Hurricane Harvey in Texas.  These supplies will be distributed to various churches and shelters this coming week to help displaced families.
Below is a photo of  the supplies donated by my Grandson's third grade class.

Thank you third graders for your kindness!  

~ photo by Suzanne * 3rd Grade pod * September 15, 2017

*Please stop in and say hello if you have time.  I welcome all visitors, of all ages!  And, I appreciate all comments, even if it's just a hello!   
Be safe, and have a great week ahead!
See you next time💝

*Hi Mom!

Thank you:
West Birdville Elementary School
Wikipedia
Google
Blogger
davesgarden.com 
wildflower.org
npsot.org (Native Plant Society of Texas)

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"Be kind whenever possible.  It is always possible!"
~Mother Teresa

Bird's Eye View Of...what else? * Birds!

"Aww, Chickadee on a limb!"  Sweet!

Photo taken in Fort Worth, Texas

by Suzanne * February 6, 2012

So...how long has it been since I've been here?  A month or two, you say?  Well, I just wanted to give everyone a chance to take in my information on the 'Herb of the Year', 2012.  I saw it to be a nice surprise, since some of us only see herbs as Basil, Cilantro, etc.  And, of course, Herb himself!  I never considered the Rose to be a (an) herb, but, I was pleasantly surprised, since the Rose is so fragrant and desirable.  And, I've got my rose bushes pruned back, and leafing out for the first showing!

We've just been blowing and going since the holidays...cold weather, warm weather-the plants and beautiful creatures of nature don't know if they're coming or going!  And, we've been fortunate to have recorded some of nature's activities thus far.  Karo spotted a Chickadee outside our kitchen window one day...oh, we love Chickadees and always welcome them with open arms...or, to be exact, open seed bells!  So we ran out and got a couple of them to hang near our favorite kitchen window.  This window, much to our dismay doesn't offer a beautiful view...just the house next door.  But it's the closest quarters in which to view our favorite birds over coffee!

Carolina Chickadee * Photo by Suzanne * January 22, 2012

It was about 5 or 6 years ago that we first discovered these cute little birds outside our kitchen window.  We had hung a seed bell hoping to encourage the goldfinch we had seen flying in and out of the honeysuckle that grows on the fence.  Gradually, there appeared 6 to 8 of these chickadees at a time-very exciting!  But, for the last few years we haven't seen anymore...until January of our new year!  Chickadees are natives of Maine and Massachusetts. 

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Chickadee

During the fall migration and winter, chickadees often flock together. Many other species of birds, including titmice, nuthatches, and warblers can often be found foraging in these flocks. Mixed flocks stay together because the chickadees call out whenever they find a good source of food. This calling out forms cohesion for the group, allowing the other birds to find food more efficiently.

These guys are busy little bees...I mean 'dees'.  And it's hard to distinguish between the male and female chickadee.  During my research, (of course) I learned that the male is only a little longer and perhaps wider than the female.  And, his white area is whiter, while his black areas are blacker...hmm!  I guess the male does all of the singing, actually the males compete for the females thru their singing.  Whoever sings the longest and prettiest, gets the 'gal'!  I did go to YouTube and listen to some chickadee sounds...so pretty, and I recognized them from sounds I've heard outside my window.

Here is a short video that Karo captured recently of a Chickadee feeding outside our window, then, going to work on his home...loved it!

Well, did y'all like it?  Notice I said 'Y'ALL'!  That's how I really talk, even tho I'm from Kansas.  We didn't say y'all, or even 'howdy' in Kansas.  But, just like the Chickadee adapting to our environment in Texas, so have I...Haha!

I do have some other birds in my library, but I don't want 'youse guys' to fall asleep whilst reading this, so, I'll have to save them for later.  But, I guess I could post a few pictures we have taken.  I was amazed to see these birds, and their behavior.  They share the seed, and even take turns.  We've watched the Cardinals share with the Tufted Titmouse, and also the Carolina Wren-now that's a pretty little bird with unusual markings.

~Birds of a Feather, Flock Together

photo by Karo * February 16, 2012

There they are!  Aren't they cute?  I mean, he's looking Karo smack, dab, in the eye!  So, you can see the detail on these birds feathers...looks like scalloping on their tails and wings. The bird in front appears to have bushy white eyebrows, like, say, Larry Hagman?

  ...sorry, just kidding!

photo by Karo* February 10, 2012

And here we have the 'Tufted Titmouse'.  They say it got it's name because of it's face resembling that of a mouse.  There are about 4 of them we've seen coming to our bell.  Two at a time...and they share with the chickadees and wrens.  I saw a video on YouTube where they were eating out of the hands of a young woman.  They are sweeties indeed!

Our little menagerie consists of the Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, and a few others that I hope to mention at a later date. 

And thanking my resources:

Karo

Google

Yahoo

wikipedia

all about birds

and, of course, my birdseye view!

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I'm so glad you stopped by and meandered...thank you all for your kind comments, and, also, for your great blog posts.  It's an amazing experience, conversing every few days, once a week, or, once a month with folks who share the same, yet different interests.  Many of you have unbelievable talents that I don't possess, but, that I share an interest in. 

Hey!  So, that makes us even!!!

"Be as a bird perched on a frail branch

 that she feels bending beneath her,

still she sings away all the same,

knowing she has wings."

~Victor Hugo

Whitney Houston

August 9, 1963 ~ February 11, 2012

'til next time mes amis! ♥