Sunday, June 24, 2018

Game Cameras

Over the years I have had several game cameras. These are motion activated cameras that are used to see what kind of game is moving around in hunting areas. They are also used for security purposes to see who or what is milling around in a given place. They can be set for single or multiple images  or for video. I have used mine mainly for fun to see what is in my yard or garden.  Since they also work at night using infrared, I see lots of night critters. I never knew so many things were moving around at night. I see cats and dogs that I never see during the day. There is also an assortment of skunks, rabbits, possums, armadillos, and raccoons.  I have seen one deer, one wild hog and one coyote in the last several years. In daytime there are squirrels, chickens, cats, dogs,  doves, mocking birds,  cow birds, cardinals, black birds and meadow larks.
The compost pile draws the most critters with the garden being second. Food scraps brings the possums and raccoons and they are sometimes there together.



When I could not figure out what was eating my cabbages and broccoli, the camera showed that the rabbit was eating them during the night and the cardinal was eating during the day. I put up a rabbit fence and the rabbit still comes even years later to look through the fence. I guess he is still mad.
                                                                                     



Monday, June 11, 2018

                                            Desert Rose

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Castor Beans

Castor Bean is a pretty little shrub with beautiful red flowers.  The bean which contains ricin is very poisonous. Castor oil is made from the beans but the ricin is removed in the process.
My dad always had a few Castor Bean plants in the chicken yard. I don't know if chickens are smart enough to not eat the bean but I don't remember any poisoned chickens.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

The Boling Jail  is an almost forgotten landmark from the boom town days.  It was used to lock up an unruly drunk or smart-alect teenager.  The Deputy or Constable would  let them out in the morning.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Yucca treculiana, aka Spanish Dagger or Spanish Bayonet is native to the Texas Hill Country and also extends it's range well south of San Antonio. I brought this one to Boling from Kerrville. It has done well and puts on huge blooms every year. Unfortunately there are no Yucca moths in Boling to pollinate it so the seeds are not viable.

Saturday, April 7, 2018