Month: November 2020

Texas ironclad beetle study initiation

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Ok, so I’m becoming a bit obsessed about these little guys. Since little is known about them, and we seem to have an active population nearby, I’ve decided to catalogue all the individuals I encounter. Unfortunately, I mostly see them around the house where the exterminator has been, but when moved out to the lichen encrusted woodpile, they either recover, or are otherwise spirited away. They seem to be quite hardy, and I’ve read that they play dead. Fascinating. So this is the start of my catalog. I’ve documented four individuals over three years, two of which were found in the last week. I say individuals because they all have a different carapace pattern. The next question: do they change pattern when they molt? I’m hoping that answer is no, but I will add it to my study questions.

Beginning catalogue of Texas Ironclad beetles found on our property

Snap shots from a walk

On By CarynIn dog, Flora

I’ve been getting household tasks marked off the list, which is productive, but doesn’t make for great blogging. (It took me two days to get through the filing. Ugh.) So today you get pictures from a recent walk. We’ll get back to chickens and crafts soon.

Tree full of purple berries, probably a variety of privet
The sumac lends some red to our fall landscape!
Ok, so I’ll share a puppy picture too! This is actually two photos blended together on my phone (!!) using the Photoshop Mix app, since they wouldn’t both look at the camera at the same time. I could have cleaned it up better on the desktop, but not too shabby for a quick fix. Yes, Missy is chewing on the grass. Silly puppy.

One thousand six hundred fifty

On By CarynIn eggs

That is about how many eggs my hens have laid since they started laying, give or take a few. Yes, I keep a notebook with the date, weight, color (by numbered index), time, and nest box (by number). We are entering the second month of no eggs, so I thought I would do a quick calculation of how many eggs they have provided so I appreciate their output and not begrudge them their rest. It really means that I need to do better at stock piling when they are laying. (This does explain why there are so many methods for storing eggs.)

Egg production notebook

They did lay all through last winter, but I’ve read that is typical for the first laying season in a hen’s life. They are hatchery quality birds, and although they have the beards, muffs, and temperaments of Faverolles, they may not have the winter laying characteristic. I keep checking the nests, though, just in case.

Coordinating colors

On By CarynIn Craft

Aw, look how nicely the blended colors in the yarn go with the needle! I’m still plugging away at making a gazillion nålbound circles to construct a larger piece. I can usually do one spiral per car pick up line session. It is going to take awhile. The yarn is spindle spun undyed local alpaca, and the needle was carved from an aged grape vine and sealed with tung oil. I just enjoyed the color play today.

Nålbound spiral in process

Face palm

On By CarynIn dog

All that room and they both sit on one seat. I even put a fuzzy blanket on the back seat!! (Full disclosure, picture was taken parked in the school pick up line. No dangerous cell phone use.) This is the first time Griffin has let Missy up beside him. He seems to be regretting his decision.

Two dogs, one seat