Hopping over to Ruthie’s hilltop garden

Last week, I hopped over to Ruthie Burrus’s garden, where colorful wildflowers bloom around spiky agaves and yuccas–and one big rabbit.… Read More

The post Hopping over to Ruthie’s hilltop garden appeared first on Digging.

April 15, 2025

We’ve been sadly without a screech owl family for several years after losing our owl-box tree and having to move the box. We actually have two owl boxes now — one in the front yard and one in the back. Since January (when nesting season begins) I’ve been glancing up every time I pass by, hoping to see an owl, and feeling a little crestfallen by the seemingly empty boxes.

But now LOOK! An owl!!

I believe we have a nesting female in our front-yard box. There’s another screech owl hanging out in the trees — her mate. Once or twice I’ve spotted him, and other times I just hear him calling to her. They are remarkably camouflaged against live oak trunks and active after dark, when it’s even harder to see. As the sun goes down, the female scrabbles up the inside of the box and appears at the opening.

She flies out for a short time — stretching her wings? Going to the bathroom? Getting a drink of water?

And then she comes back. I’m guessing she’s sitting on eggs.

What a thrill to have these beautiful little owls nesting in one of our owl boxes again!

I’ll be looking up, hoping for a sighting, each time I walk by.

And eventually, if all goes well, owlets!

I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading in an email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. And hey, did someone forward this email to you, and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered directly to your inbox!

__________________________

Digging Deeper

My new book, Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State, is available for pre-order at Amazon and other online book sellers. It’ll be released on October 14th, and while that’s several months away, pre-orders are tremendously helpful in getting my book noticed by readers and reviewers. Please consider pre-ordering if you’d like to read it this fall; more info here. Thank you for your support!

Shop the Spring Native Plant Sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center each weekend through April 27, 9 am to 1 pm (last entry at 12:30 pm). Plant sale admission is free. Bring your own wagon or cart to transport your treasures.

Tour 5 unique Houston gardens on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 4 pm, during the Garden Conservancy’s Open Day Tour for Houston. Tickets must be purchased online in advance through the Garden Conservancy.

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Read all about the Season 8 lineup here!

The post Screech owl nesting in new owl box appeared first on Digging.