With the festive season finally behind us, I have a bit of time to spend on my garden and blogging again. We’ve really had a mild winter so far, but it is only the beginning of January and the cold is sure to come. Fall was very pretty this year, thanks to all the rainfall. Native grasses have seeded out in supreme abundance, keeping all my favorite birds away from my bird feeders. I miss them, but I hear them out there in the garden so I know they are around feasting on the native flora that I meticulously planted for them. My wildlife garden is working!

Bluebirds have been seen picking and choosing around my 4 bird houses this year. Not sure if they are picking winter roosting boxes or summer breeding boxes. Perhaps a little bit of both? They always give me such hope and joy.

The pond always starts to look straggly in November, but the colors are so warm.

Pond maintenance keeps on going till the water is too cold to dive into and the tubs in which we collect the wilted flowers and water lily leaves keep drifting away with the wind. Frogs like to get in on the action too, finding the tubs great viewing towers after we leave things to settle.Native plants are at their tallest this time of year and even Kokopelli had to shrug off a pushy Canna leaf, finding him almost buried in plants.

Look at the Cannas still blooming!

But shadows are getting deeper and shade is getting cooler. Thankfully….

It is the ideal time to plant hardy perennials, shrubs and trees.

Bees and butterflies are at their most active this time of year it seems.To my surprise, the bees really loved the Mexican Bird of Paradise.

We have so many migrant butterflies move through Texas that it is a wonder. While the birds may not be visible this time of year, the air is alive with hundreds of colorful fluttering wings. They are in search of any nectar baring blooms while the temps stay warm.

Gulf Fritilaries enjoying the Zinnia which have self seeded in my veggie garden.

This pearl crescent butterfly is a common visitor in fall. Their larvae like to feed on Aster plants. As adults they seem to adore my copper canyon daisy.

Christmas came early this year. Red and green was prominent around the garden: Red ornamental flowers still hanging from the Turks Cap.

Pigeon berry and American beautyberry providing colorful nutrition for the birds.

And the ever reliable and hardy Aster sneaking through the crevice to catch some sun.

Well it is the new year and I wish you all have a hope and beauty filled year ahead.