Prairie Winds Farm

Peace is a by-product of faith. Agitation is a by-product of fear. Creflo Dollar Let not your heart be troubled. You can find solice in the word of the Lord always and for ever amen.

Yesterday I saw this woodpecker (ladderback?) in my elm tree in Katy, Texas.

Malvaviscus drummondii 'Pam Puryear'  (Perennial Turk's Cap) Today I had hummingbirds feeding from my Turk's Cap.  I have four types of Turk's Cap in my yard this is the beautiful one that was a crossed between a Malvaviscus drummondii x Malvaviscus arboreus by Greg Grant . I have Hamelia, Hamelia patens,  in my yard planted by the previous owner.  In early spring  they are nothing but little 12" brown sticks coming out of a root mound.  In late spring, they send up new shoots that continue to grow until late August. The age of the shrub will determine the height of the branches.  Mine is over 21 years old so the height has gone up to 8 feet and the width has gone to 6 feet. They begin blooming in early Sept. just in time for the hummingbirds and butterflies.  I usually cut them back 12" from the ground after the first freeze about late Nov. to early Dec. Here is a little visitor to the Hamelia bloom....

Well hello there, my its been a long, long time... Because of the scorching heat in Katy, Texas, 105 degrees today, we hung up a hummingbird feeder.  Our Hamelias usually provide enough nectar to suffice the nesting hummingbirds in our neighborhood but, with the drought and heat they wilt before noon even if I water them.  Nectar recipe is 4 to 1.  One part sugar to four parts water.  Stir 1/4 cup sugar into a warm 1 cup of water until it dissolves.  I added ice cubes to cool it down just because of the heat outside.  The hummers will be drawn visually to the red flowers so, there is no need to add red food coloring at all.  Food coloring is not good for them to injest.  Not good for children and not good for hummers. The two hummers visiting our feeder spent an awful lot of time trying to push each other out of the way.  I wish I could tell them please don't fight there is plenty for everyone to enjoy.  I rinse and refil...

This is a video my daughter made as a tribute to her dad, a vietnam veteran .  I love them both so much I just felt the need to share this with those of you who have loved ones who have served  courageously in the military.