Monday, April 6, 2015

Texas spring!

Spring has definitely come to this part of Texas. Helped by all the rain, which broke the drought, the landscape has exploded into greenery and flower. Let me demonstrate.
These are shots I took of this place when I got here in January (left) and how it is now (right). The angles aren't precisely the same, but you get the idea.

 


Maybe it doesn't get all the way across in photos, but in person the difference is pretty staggering.
     Anyway, news. No crises of international importance have occurred, outside of some problems with fruit flies, honeybees, and the occaisonal tick. We've split groups again, with half of our number gone to El Sauz while the other four of us continue here at San Antonio Viejo, making it rather quiet here in the evenings without rounds of Cards Against Humanity and water pong. I've gotten a good amount of mail, including Easter snacking goodness, movies, a new pair of flip flops (thanks Mom!), and a Sebring racing shirt (thanks Dad!).
     My days off have been rather pleasant, with the weather participating enough for me to enjoy the sun. Mostly I've been reading, getting groceries, and a partially Maguyvered oil change, but I get a few adventures in. Last weekend I managed to explore a little more of the historic area of downtown Rio Grande, including the Victorian-era La Borde Hotel and bits of streets and alleys with some nice architecture and the occasional pomegranate tree.
Another sign of spring: rattlers emerging from their winter hibernacula!

Field of Texas prickly poppy


 
New species: brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater)

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