The screech owl is still hanging out in the owl box each day, dozing in the doorway each morning or alert but relaxed each evening.

It seems comfortable with me walking around below, staying put when I move trash bins or get the mail.

I enjoy watching this beautiful but fierce little bird, which for reference is about the height of an American robin.

Check out those long, curved talons.

The eyes of a screech owl, yellow-green with a black pupil, have a human quality. They’re so different from the eerie, fully black eyes of a barred owl, for example.

What a charmer!

Meanwhile, in a different birdhouse, I spotted another creature peeking out. At first I thought it might be a snake.

Then I realized it was a Texas spiny lizard, watching me watching him. Too funny!

Plants were catching my eye too, including mangaves, peanut cactus, and soap aloes in the terraced bed. It’s been a hot, very dry summer, but these plants soldier on.

Mangave looking silvery blue in the low light of late afternoon

The toothy, tiger-striped leaves of soap aloe are a big part of their appeal.

In the Circle Garden, the little ‘Fire Dragon’ Shantung maple is summer stressed but hanging in there. I hope it’ll get its legs under it this winter and put on some growth next spring or summer. If I’m lucky, maybe it’ll provide fall color next month. One can hope!

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Digging Deeper

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!

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