I’m Sheri, a backyard naturalist with a camera in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. This blog is my way of listening to the quiet wild that surrounds me. Join me as we explore the unique and wonderful world of bees, blooms, and birds in my backyard.

Latest Posts


  • Goldfinches!

    Sometimes goldfinches one by one will drop From low hung branches; little space they stop; But sip, and twitter, and their feathers sleek; Then off at once, as in a wanton freak: Or perhaps, to show their black, and golden… Continue reading

    Goldfinches!
  • Happy New Year, 2026

    The calendar says January 1, 2026, but the quiet wild does not look like it! Our recent, unseasonably warm weather has convinced the plants that it is not winter. All of these photos were taken on January 1, 2026. Peggy… Continue reading

    Happy New Year, 2026
  • A cold snap in the quiet wild

    In typical Texas fashion, our weather has been ever-changing, in the upper 70s one day and the low 30s the next. As you will remember from a previous post, the monarch caterpillars have continued to lay eggs during our continuous… Continue reading

    A cold snap in the quiet wild
  • The Soggy Quiet Wild

    The backyard sanctuary finally got rain. Typically for Texas, we got lots of rain and wind all at once! As I went out to observe the results of the rain after so long without it, I found hidden beauty. The… Continue reading

    The Soggy Quiet Wild
  • November Comes

    Please click on the image if you want to see a closer view of any of the photos. The Beaver Moon was just beautiful on the morning of November 5. I observed it last night, coming home from choir practice,… Continue reading

    November Comes
  • November in the Quiet Wild

    I caught this little green tree frog sleeping in a morning glory leaf this glorious fall afternoon. He seems very content curled in the brown leaf. He was completely undisturbed by my camera in his face! The monarch butterflies continue… Continue reading

    November in the Quiet Wild
  • Quiet Wild Update

    The backyard sanctuary has endured without me for the past couple of weeks. As I survey my little wilderness, it is apparent that the fall season is looming. The plants have slowed their growth, and the blooms are much less… Continue reading

    Quiet Wild Update
  • End of Summer Florals

    Late September into October is always an interesting time in the backyard. The summer blooms are starting to look a little worn and leggy in places. I have begun to pull up plants that are past their prime and trim… Continue reading

    End of Summer Florals
  • Frogs, Lizards and Toads… Oh my!

    There are several different kinds of amphibians and reptiles living in my garden. This little guy and a couple of his frog friends decided that the bird house hanging in the flower bed would be a good place to hang… Continue reading

  • From the studio

    Retirement from full-time work offers lots of time to experiment and try new hobbies. I dabbled in gardening for many years, and grew more confident in those skills as I put plants in the ground and they didn’t make it,… Continue reading

    From the studio