Category: Anita’s blog

Discovering a pile of scat is like being visited by something in secret, and just to prove it came and went unnoticed, it leaves a trace of itself for you to find. I found a most unusual splotch on the driveway one morning that didn’t relate to anything I recalled ever having seen. It was…

Story and photos by Anita Westervelt Ever wonder what it’s like to be an insect? Let’s begin at the break of dawn, that diaphanous time when the earth is pitch black with but a hint of translucent pink on the horizon. Just before this magical time, butterflies, moths, cicadas and other winged creatures begin breaking…

Story and photos by Anita Westervelt, Texas Master Naturalist A yellow garden is full of sunshine — and butterflies, bees and hummingbirds! An important aspect of a butterfly garden is to have something blooming year-round so butterflies visit longer. Color variety is important, too, but let’s hear it for the yellows. Four native, nectar-rich, butterfly-attracting…

Everyone knows the night time is scary. Any matter of danger lurks, undetected, in the dark. A couple of years ago, a soft wheeeel gained in decibels near where I was enjoying the summer night; the screeched word slowly growing to a piercing squeal before settling into a puc, puc, p’weeEER. Frightening, it was, leaving…

This past week saw 1,165 Texas Master Naturalists from all 48 chapters across Texas attending the annual conference — virtually. One particular technical session resonated with me because it allowed me to finally be a guilt-free gardener! Yes, I have a guilty secret. I harbor some non-native plants in my gardens. And that’s ok! Doug…