Stobbe Wildlife Preserve

The pendulum has swung and it has done so with great velocity.

We recently relocated from the arid Tall City of Midland, TX to the tropical forest of The Woodlands just north of Houston. I am not sure we could have chosen a more opposite climate or a more drastic difference in scenery.

Let me make one thing clear: I like Midland. Too many people sigh or roll their eyes when they think of West TX. They only think of enormous and plentiful tumbleweeds or dust storms that can be like blackouts. While those things are an ever present reality, that is not all that makes up West Texas. I have never seen such beautiful sunsets and sunrises as when I lived there. And by 10:30 p.m. vast shimmering skies emerge sporting sparkling stars as far as your eye can see. I encourage you to see first hand the rugged beauty of this part of our great state.

The first picture shows what our back yard looked like: wide open West TX desert. It was a never-ending playground and fort constructing paradise. Our children loved digging, collecting some of the coolest and largest bugs I've ever seen, and playing out wild adventures.

Then the change and an embracing of a new adventure....

Now we are cataloguing birds of a different feather, so to speak. Birds a plenty! Our back yard is home to all sorts of feathered friends. Blue jays, robins, finches, sparrows, cardinals and owls! We have thoroughly enjoyed watching two sets of cardinals build their nests, lay their eggs, feed their young and teach flying lessons. All this viewed from our back porch!





We've also found a friendly turtle, a long (and I mean long) garter snake and insects of all sorts that keep us marveling and reaching for empty jars. National Geographic could do a special on our nature preserve with little effort.





Just yesterday we made a great discovery. You know that color in your 64 Crayola pack named "robin's egg blue"? Well, guess what? It is aptly named - we found a recently vacated egg shell and made the comparison. Crayola is spot on!


The squirrels are as big as wallabies - oh, I forgot, we are in Texas where everything is big - and quick on the draw.



And any wildlife preserve worth its weight will have reliable park patrol. Our family dog fills this important role nicely. She is forever on alert, tracking newcomers or giving the squirrels and possums a run for their money.

If you call and get the answering machine, chances are I'm out in the back with my camera at the ready looking to capture the next species on film. Want to come 'sit a spell'?

Lemonade or iced tea - the choice is yours.
Julie