Frosty Morning at Little Piney Sunday morning I awoke to the sound of hundreds of Robins and the sight of a frosty earth. Flashing red in the sun, the Robins flew from the woods in groups of 20-25 and perched in bare elms among Cedar Waxwings, Chipping Sparrows, and Cardinals. Robins Mist on Dragonfly Pond I threwContinue reading
Tag: Bastrop TX
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Frosty Morning at Little Piney
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“There is Only Light and Shadow”
Landscape painters learn to “paint the light, not the objects.” The light glancing off trees, fields, and water creates a beautiful and ever-changing scene in nature. Autumn light with its slant angle and long afternoons has been particularly beautiful at Little Piney this season. Here are some of the photo highlights of the fall/winter landscapeContinue reading
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The Gray Palette of Winter
The Gray Palette of Winter at Little Piney As the golden tones of autumn fade, the gray palette of winter is pleasingly rich and textured. Here is a collection of photos highlighting both warm and cool shades of winter gray.
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Knock-Knock–Who’s There?
Pileated Woodpecker We always know when the Pileated Woodpecker is hungry. His distinct and resonant hammering sound is the loudest of the wood-pecking birds at Little Piney. No matter how many times I see a Pileated Woodpecker, it’s always a thrill. At 15-19 inches tall, with a brilliant red crest, shiny black back, pure whiteContinue reading
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Rainy Weekend at Little Piney
Rainy Weekend Thirty-six hours of rain, and I’m not complaining. First of all, the rain put an end to the Hidden Pines Fire allowing efforts to shift toward clean up and assistance for the families affected. Second, the long, steady rain puts an end (at least temporarily) to the threat of more wildfires. Third, rainContinue reading
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Hidden Pines Fire
Hidden Pines Fire from Little Piney Sadly, Bastrop County is suffering another devastating fire. The fire is no longer spreading, but 4582 acres have burned, including 48 “structures,” probably homes, and parts of Buescher and Bastrop State Parks. Four thousand of those acres are still burning, and firefighters from all over the state andContinue reading
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Nature Writes Her Own Story
Red Shouldered Hawks Last Sunday, I planned to spend the morning discovering fall migrants–the warblers, orioles, hummingbirds, etc. that birders all over Texas reported daily for the past week. I didn’t have much luck with that plan, though. Instead, Sunday’s story was about larger birds. Red Shouldered Hawks patroled at Little Piney all day. I saw themContinue reading
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Hints of Fall
Fall visitors Temperatures range in the nineties yet there are hints of fall in the air at Little Piney. Early mornings feel pleasant, and migrating birds stop by for seed and berries. I’ve spied two early ducks, a Black and White Warbler, and a Baltimore Oriole. I hear lots of new calls and songs and seeContinue reading
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Home to Little Piney
Return to Little Piney After being away for a month, I was happy to be heading home to Little Piney, and anxious to see what the 100+ temperatures and scarce rain had wrought. As I pulled up to the house in hot mid-afternoon, Little Piney was silent and still except for three squawking crows.Continue reading
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Bluebird Nest Boxes for Total Beginners
How to Install Bluebird Nest Boxes Little Piney hosts a healthy population of Eastern Bluebirds. They are encouraged to settle here by good habitat and available real estate. We have 7 bluebird nest boxes put in place several years ago by previous owners. Recently, I removed all nest boxes for cleaning and fresh paint,Continue reading