A major winter storm warning has been issued for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Pray all drive only if necessary and be careful driving. The headlines news was not good.
I have not seen anything like this since I moved to TX in 1997. Drivers need to slow down and know that bridges freeze quicker than flat roads. Venturing out thinking you're a better driver doesn't mean anything. It's not worth the risk. There are many inexperienced drivers and elderly people who don't speed drive.
There really is no reason to drive if you don't have to. Just because you don't see tons of snow in Texas, doesn't mean roads are safe to drive. Take home precautions to safeguard against frozen pipes. Do not run sprinklers. I always let a trickle of water run from the plumbing fixtures, especially those that back to exterior walls.
The oddest thing happened early this morning. I must have had 100 birds or more perched in my front trees and they kept diving towards my front garden. All were Cardinals and the fattest Robins I ever saw! First the Cardinals flew into my shrubs to eat the berries. I watched for the longest time because it was a like a scene from the movie, The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock. Then came the Robins and the Cardinals reversed and stayed perched on the branches. It was quite entertaining and courteous of the Cardinals to fly aside so that the Robins could eat. But then, just as I started doing something else, I thought someone took a shot at my front window. It was a bird, sadly, it was bird. Then I noticed all the birds took off, except one. It was a big bird. I'm not sure if it was a Falcon or a Hawk (a breed I never saw before that close). But whatever it was, scared the Cardinals and the Robins away. Around 4:30 p.m. the Robins returned, but the Cardinals did not follow.
Unfortunately, these are good examples of Survival of the Fittest and the most alert creatures on earth. Speaking of alerts, I love to hear what my local Nursery has to say about plants: "Use frost cloth to cover all tender plants. Add mulch to your flowerbeds and shrubs to keep the roots insulated." Birds could use human intervention too. There is a bird count that starts on February 12 through the 15th. Get involved with your local Birds Unlimited or Cooperative Extension Service where they do research and provide education.
Keep in mind, not only are there habitat changes and shifts in migration of birds, people are relocating because of the unfortunate pandemic. Many homes must be sold. Take care and look out for each other and all creation. As humans, it's our job and responsibility ---Patricia Feager
