Lance Jones of the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance presents a commemorative photograph by Susan Hanson to recognize 10 years of monthly San Marcos Bird Walks.
A yellow-crowned night heron perches on a log near the headwaters of the San Marcos River.
Bird Walkers spotted a green heron from the Meadows Center Wetlands Boardwalk.
This happy little water snake relaxes in Spring Lake near the Meadows Center.
In addition to birds, Ramirez treats Bird Walk participants to a host of diverse wildlife found in the San Marcos area. Photos by Jason Cook
It was one of those perfect San Marcos Saturdays: cool and cloudless, with a light breeze stirring through the trees. At 7 a.m., a small crowd gathered in the Meadows Center parking lot — families with children, pairs and trios of college students, older couples and groups of friends. Some of them had field guides, some had binoculars; all were gathered to hear Texas State graduate Stephen Ramirez talk about birds.
A versatile favorite, grilled cheese sandwiches can feature a variety of breads and cheese. Photo by Metro Creative
A grilled cheese sandwich is a simple pleasure enjoyed by children and adults alike. Knowing how to create a delicious grilled cheese sandwich is a handy skill. Even though the sandwich may seem simple, there are some tricks to the trade to achieve a golden, crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside finished product.
Hornsby Bend is an excellent bird watching spot. Photo from Metro Creative
Don’t turn up your nose at sewage pond birding.
HCMGA members will bring plantings and transplants from their home gardens to sell at the annual Fall Plant and Tree Sale, which will be held this year online and in person. Submitted photo
Hays County Master Gardeners will hold its annual Fall Plant and Tree Sale online and in-person this year. The HCMGA members are putting their expertise to work to bring their finest plantings and transplants from their own home gardens. Texas Superstar, Texas native and adapted perennials, grasses, shrubs, trees and succulents will be for sale.
Pumpkins, gourds and mums give a festive look to this raised flower bed.
Orange Atlantico Belgian Mum and Croton. Photos by Norman Winter
After a long, brutally hot summer, two tropical storms and a hurricane, one could use a little perk up and no plant brings cheer like the chrysanthemum. Cooler temperatures partnered with a few mum containers with flowers numbering in the thousands will boost your spirits like few other plants.
My journey this week is about the role of spiritual choice in our lives. I found a news clipping saved years ago from The Baptist Standard. Dr. Foy Valentine, then executive director of the Christian Life Com mission of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote: “We hear so much, it seems, about what religion is AGAINST. What we sometimes lose sight of is what religion should be FOR.” “Religion is a life-transforming relationship with the Lord God resulting in a life-expanding relationship of service to others following the example of Jesus, our Savior,” Valentine said. “For Christians,” he said, “pure religion is living in the conviction that:
M. Ray Perryman
Like almost any American over the age of 25, I vividly remember September 11, 2001.
Katherine Warnell, Assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Texas State, studies the real cost of cosmetic surgery. Photo submitted by Texas State University
Katherine Warnell, Associate Professor. Photo submitted by Texas State University
The normalization of cosmetic surgery and the real cost of surgery, both monetary and emotional, prompted Katherine Warnell, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Texas State University, to partner with a research study at St. Edward’s University to better understand what makes someone more or less likely to undergo cosmetic procedures.
Birds often become intoxicated after eating fermented fruit or berries. In Germany, a brown owl became drunk on schnapps and stood in traffic until a wildlife rescuer put him in rehab. Photo from Metro Creative
Birds sometimes become intoxicated and exhibit drunken behavior.
(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666
