Welcome!

Welcome to austinagrodolce … My family and I garden with more intention and enthusiasm than allocated budget or overall design plan. It shows. Wildlife populations don't seem to notice our lack of cohesive design, they just like the native plants here. It seems by growing local we've thrown out a welcome mat. Occasionally, we're surprised at who (and what) shows up.



Monday, June 2, 2014

Wildlife Wednesday is On the Way!

Tina, over at My Gardener Says had some pretty exciting news to share this morning. She announced the inaugural post for Wildflower Wednesday, set to premiere about a month from now on July 2nd.
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly 
She writes eloquently of the rationale behind her decision to sponsor so I'll simply borrow her words and allow her to tell you what this is all about:

"I don't believe there's a specific blogging day dedicated to the celebration of wildlife in the garden and I want to change that. I'm inviting enthusiastic garden bloggers everywhere to snap photos of the wild visitors in your gardens and then to join me on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 and every first Wednesday of the month after that, to share posts about those wild ones you encounter. Photograph and write about any kind of wildlife that interests you."

Tina also writes: 


"All garden bloggers dedicate some writing and photography to the furry, feathery, or scaly in their gardens.  Attracting wildlife to our gardens is partially why we garden isn’t it?  A garden is never so alive and vibrant than when it is graced by wildlife.  Otherwise, it’s not much of a garden.
This is the second generation so far to visit the Maypop vine and lay eggs this season.  This vine might not flower here, but it sure enough blooms with butterflies each and every year.
I admire the many bloggers who have more patience (and probably a better camera) than I.  I’m frequently awed by the juxtaposition of the artful and the scientific displayed in gardening blogs.  Garden bloggers love sharing the beauty of wildlife in their gardens. We teach what we’ve learned and experienced because of our passion for gardening and the critters intrinsic to cycle of our gardens."
I'm a total patsy for wildlife, so you know I'll be posting each month, but I'd like to encourage you to consider posting as well.  There are so many who can name every plant in their garden beds, along with a list of their attributes, soil and moisture requirements.  (not me!)  But how many can name on sight every bird that graces their trees?  Who can point to each butterfly and confidently call it by name?
I sure can't.  At least not yet. But I'd like to.  Come join what we hope will be a bevy of bloggers for Wildlife Wednesday on July 2nd.  Put up any sort of post that strikes your fancy as long as it relates to the fauna in your flora.  I can't wait to join you there!











4 comments:

Tina said...

A worthy goal--to name every moth or butterfly or insect in the garden. I think it will be a very long time indeed before I can come close to that goal, but improving on identification? That I can handle. Thanks Deb, for the encouragement and support. I hope that those who love the creepy and crawly in their gardens will enjoy participating in this dedicated-to-wildlife blogging day. I just rescued a spider from one on the bird baths. Don't know what kind though, so it's time for some research.:)

TexasDeb said...

Tina: I am currently waiting to hear back from the bug guide people about a moth I saw - I think it is some sort of "owlet" moth but can't get any closer than that. There is this entire tiny universe playing out within the confines of our fence and I'd like to feel even more a part of it!

Debra said...

Can't wait to see what people will share. The Gulf Fritillary's colour looks luminous in these photos.

TexasDeb said...

Debra: I have high hopes you'll be one of those people, sharing? Gulf Fritillarys are indeed lovely, and I feel fortunate whenever I see one.