North Erath County, Texas, 32.43 lat., -98.36 long. Elev. 1,086 ft. Turkey Creek Quad.
Runoff from Blue Place Pond into Poprock Pond, March 12, 2010 (click to enlarge)
Runoff from rains and snow of past month from the Blue place to the east of us are indicated in this photograph. (How I wish Ms. Chavez could take a more artistic photograph.) There are three stock tanks that are interlinked in tandem with water surface runoff: Blue place, our pond, Hall pond to the south. From time to time, ditches to divert the water to these three stock tanks have to be reconstructed. The terracing is not difficult, but politics enters into the construction that I must do to keep the Hall pond (recently revamped) full. I have to perform the construction task with my Case-Farmall DX-55 tractor.
Close-up of Runoff from Blue Place Pond, March 12, 2010 (click to enlarge)
This is a close-up of the vitality of the runoff from the Blue Pond into Poprock Hill stock tank. One year, ca. 2005, the runoff continued from winter to early fall. This is a healthy source of water. The Blue place pond derives about one-third to one-half of its water from our front pasture.
Unidentified Shrub on Poprock Hill Pond, Northeast Side, March 12, 2010 (click to enlarge)
[Presently, an unidentified shrub. I’ll type it eventually. Help anyone, quickly? See close-up of blossoms, next picture.]
Close-up Unidentified Shrub Poprock Hill Pond, Northeast Side, March 12, 2010 (click to enlarge)
[Unidentified blossoms of shrub, close-up. See previous photo for global view. I’ll eventually type, but does anyone know the name?]
Black Wasp Nest Winter with Mesquite Tree, March 12, 2010 (click to enlarge)
In Texas and in the West, writ large, there is a saying: Out here, if it doesn’t bite you, it will stick or sting you. This photograph indicates sticking and stinging. To be frank, I am not sure the empty nest is Black Wasp or Yellow Jacket. I’ll get back to you this summer with an answer.
Tracks of coyote from yesterday’s sighting unconfirmed on Poprock pond. No track found. Doubting what I saw.
Mallard ducks flushed from Hall pond. Photographs of flight.
Wind is strong from north, 20+ m.p.h. Temperature in 50s F.
Brenda and I unable to take DNA sample from mane hair. Shiney uncooperative today with wind and other distractions.
Seed ordered. Native grass seed ordered: Blue Grama, Sideoats Grama, Buffalo Grass, Plains Bristlegrass, Little Bluestem, Prairie Junegrass and Sand Dropseed. Two day shipment by U.P.S.
Native wildflower seed order for front pasture and terraces:
| Texas Bluebonnet | A | Lupinus texensis | Blue |
| Purple Coneflower | P | Echinacea purpurea | Purple |
| Lance-Leaved Coreopsis | P | Coreopsis lanceolata | Yellow |
| Annual Gaillardia | A | Gaillardia pulchella | Yellow-Red |
| Dwarf Evening Primrose | P | Oenothera missouriensis | Yellow |
| Annual Phlox | A | Phlox drummondii | Red |
| Scarlet Sage | A/P | Salvia coccinea | Red |
| Engelmann Daisy | P | Engelmannia pinnatifida | Yellow |
| Purple Prairie Clover | P | Petalostemon purpureum | Purple |
| Blue Sage | P | Salvia farinacea | Blue |
| Lemon Mint | A | Monarda citriodora | Lavender/White |
| Prairie Coneflower | B/P | Ratibida columnifera | Yellow/Red |
| Clasping Coneflower | A | Rudbeckia amplexicaulis | Yellow |
| Golden Wave Tickseed | A | Coreopsis basalis | Yellow |
| Showy Evening Primrose | P | Oenothera speciosa | Pin |
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Sought information on stallion insemination of Sweet Hija.
Sought information on sales and trainers for Shiney.
Rainfall, March 8, 2010 (click to enlarge)
Rainfall and Runoff from Barn, March 8, 2010 (click to enlarge)
A storage tank for rain water needs to be installed. I know that Caralee Woods and Jimmy Henley (see their site) will look at this and give me a link to Tractor Supply or Higginbotham Hardware, so that I can purchase a storage tank to save this precious water. The runoff goes through a channel in the Broke Tree Corral and then is drained into our stock pond, so not all is lost.
Sage to Meadow ~ Jack Matthews 
I have never seen a wasp nest on a plant, and find that very interesting. So much to learn! I cannot imagine how gorgeous your place will be once all those seeds you’ve ordered take hold…I trust you’ll post photos.. Forgot to ask the other day…was your banner photo taken with a wide angle lens?
This only the third one I have seen. Two on mesquite trees, one on a climbing vine. This nest may not be populated this summer.
I’ll post photos of the flowers when they come out. The photo on the banner is a cropping of a much larger picture. The cropping is accomplished quite easily when you upload any photo to this theme for a blog. The cropping is about one-third or slightly less of the total picture. Imagine dividing a photo into three parts. Select one part, that’s the banner.
I’m horrible at identifying shrubs, so I couldn’t help you there. But that list of wildflowers to be planted… Beautiful!! I can’t wait to see pictures of the mature flowers!
I’ll have to take some time to type. Looking forward to the arrival of seeds. Pastures and frontage needs prep over the next few days for the planting of seeds.
Oh my, what a fine seed gathering you have come up with. It will be stunning and yummy. The rain photo brings back Texas memories. Of the three hardest rainfalls I’ve experienced, two were in Texas. (61′ and in the later 90’s) Both in Sulphur Springs. If I’m repeating myself, apologies. The sights and sounds linger yet.
The seed gathering is going to be a hoot and good work. The rains we’ve had, the cool, will make the soil just great. The seeds will be here on Wednesday and later this week, I prep and plant. I’ve heard that Sulphur Springs is beautiful.
Jack, I think your flowering shrub is foryisynthia (spelling). Your seedlings are going to be magnificent. Can’t wait for the photos! Happy you’re able to channel that run-off water.
Kittie, I’ll look the shrub up. Thanks for the name. How did you know?