The creek does show on maps as a "seasonal creek" though it's so small it doesn't have a name. Around here that means it only has water when it rains enough, usually more than one inch in a single day. On those days we enjoy our waterfront property.
We've had so much rain the ground is saturated and fresh rain is more likely to run off into the creek as it did this morning.
Rain here is welcome because it also means the aquifer is recharging after nearly two years of drought. Excess water from our creek flows into Salado Creek, the San Antonio River and eventually to San Antonio Bay near The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf of Mexico where the famous whooping cranes spend their winter.
Most of the time when there's water in the creek it's too wet to sit outside, but we can enjoy it from the kitchen. Here's the view from the deck just in front of the kitchen windows this morning
...and a typical morning view. When it's dry the creek provides a nice view from the house and is the source of food and shelter for the wildlife we enjoy in our yard.
The creek spreads out downhill away from the house and we're high enough that flooding is not a concern.
Back in September 2009, Hurricane Hermine put a lot of fast moving water in the creek
We've even seen a flash flood in dry weather when it rained just north of us. It all makes for an interesting and changing feature in the landscape.
That's alot more water than the arroyo bordering our property is after a storm! (I'm thrilled when there are a few inches of water moving in the 8' wide channel...so are the hawks when it is dry, with cats, snakes, etc using it as a "hidden" pathway)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. We have a similar situation here on our property as well. While you can see your creek from the house when it's running, we would have to climb down the hillside a little. We can certainly hear it though. Our creek is seasonal and usually only runs a couple of weeks after the rainy season starts. It has run a few times this summer, but at the moment there's just a few puddles here and there.
ReplyDeleteIt fascinates me how similar things are where you live. It's fun to see.
DeleteWe've hardly had any puddles in there during the drought as whatever rain fell didn't run off like it is now. I'm always amazed by the huge, dry arroyos in the desert but they will carry a lot of water if needed.
ReplyDeleteThe hawks are back there, but the tree cover makes the creek a tough hunting ground.
That is a large amount of water. I was glad to see the rain. We really needed after the summer we had. Good to hear your hawks are back. Wish ours would show up again.
ReplyDeleteEven with all the rain, we still need more.
DeleteI'm not sure the hawks are there right now. I'll need to listen for them. They stayed quite a while this year though.
I love these dry creeks. We have something similiar here but they are called washes. And every so often in Tucson, they become rivers. It's really fun to watch all happen. I LOVE your backyard. You are really lucky to have such beautiful views naturally. I have to create mine all by hand here to block out the neighborhood:)
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasant surprise when we found the creek back there. We have to screen a few less than desirable views here and I am trying to create some smaller spaces too.
DeleteThis rain has been a God-send. Your creek is a welcome sight I bet. Glad to see you're high enough not to worry about flooding. My husband and I were just talking about Hermine today...we need another Hermine. As of last Thursday Lake Travis was still only 36% full with most of the rain falling south of the lakes. I'm hoping the last two days of rain had some impact on the lakes.
ReplyDeleteThat's not good news about Lake Travis, we need the next one to go a little more north.
DeleteWe had no idea that Hermine would be the last big rain storm for nearly two years. It's almost unbelievable even after going through it.
The rain the past few days was lovely--a little too much all a once, but soooo needed. The trees must be loving it though.
ReplyDeleteI've read that these old oaks will take up huge amounts of water in these storms. We are still down on rainfall if we count the deficit from 2011.
DeleteShirley, Talk about a water feature! You can’t beat Mother Nature! I feel so happy for you to have a view like that in your own backyard. JUST WONDERFUL!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucy! It looks like I live way out in the country but we're just a few blocks from one of the busiest spots in the city.
DeleteI love your seasonal creek! How fun for you that the view may change daily! Maybe you should name it "Shirley's creek". And I love the pic of the deer, too!
ReplyDeleteFun idea Holley, since it has no name we'll name it.
DeleteThe deer are here almost every day. I saw them around lunch time.
We have the same kind of 'water front' here. Our creek has been flowing again, the last couple of days. There's a waterfall a few yards from our house. We can hear it from the porch. It's great.
ReplyDeleteAll this rain has really helped. We need some up river, though, to fill the Highland Lakes. Maybe it will come soon.
I've seen your posts about the water that runs behind the house and it is nice to have.
DeleteThere is a waterfall here, but it's several blocks down behind another house.
BEAUTIFUL pictures of a jaw dropping gorgeous property!
ReplyDeleteReally like your style!
Thanks and keep up with your good work.
Thank you so much Reed, I appreciate your taking time to make such positive comments. I have subscribed to your very informative blog too.
DeleteThe biggest backyard decision was to leave as much of the natural, native look as possible. An easy decision to make, but not always easy to adhere to because I love all kinds of plants.
Amazing photos. I agree with Holley about naming the creek. And how sweet of that deer to pose for a photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you Crystal, we might just name it before it disappears again.
DeleteThe bucks don't generally stand around so it's interesting how they will do that occasionally, depends on the time of year, the wind and whether they are hungry or thirsty. I do not consider the deer tame though and treat them accordingly.
How great to have some rain and a creek! That would be so much fun to sit and watch all the wildlife drawn to the water. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Indie. It is a great feature with or without rain.
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