The first half of this year was the fifth driest on record, and this summer hasn’t been any better. How exactly do our native plants cope with stress caused by a prolonged period without water? It’s complicated and pretty amazing.

Karst is well known and is often described as a landscape, a geological formation occurring in limestone and carbonate rocks. More importantly, it is an aquifer and often a remarkable groundwater reservoir.

There is no doubt these are dry times that will likely continue through the summer. This is a critical time for wildlife as well. If you can, set out a pan of water for the wildlife. They will show up.

Most of my life I’ve called these gentle amphibians “frogs,” and maybe you have too. But these little guys are actually true toads, more specifically Gulf Coast Toads, and I’ve noticed a lot of them in my yard this summer.

If we were to paint—or photograph—the Hill Country today in ways for our unknown descendants to remember us, what would they see? And if they record images of their Texas hills for their posterity, what will those generations see?

Seriously, it’s hot here in Hays County this summer. In spite of the surface-of-the-sun temperatures, there are a few things blooming. I thought I’d share a few colorful flowers with you.