Steve and Judy's Travels!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/renewable-electricity-powered-california-just-shy-of-100percent-for-the-first-time-in-history/ar-AAWPryB?ocid=iehp&li=BBnb7Kz

At that moment, in the middle of a hot day, every significant bit of energy being used in California was from renewable resources.  How amazing is that!?

Texas produces a lot of wind energy.  California is more reliant on solar.  I had no idea any state was doing so well though.  It was only for one moment in time when all the energy usage was matched by renewable input, and there is a long way to go to be able to store excess green energy so that it can be used later, but what a significant milestone.  The hard work continues, newer better facilities continue to get built, and there will be many more moments in time just like this.

Clean-energy jobs.  Pollution free clean energy.  What a win!

First to bloom, the huisache.

 Then the retama.

(The retama is a relative of the desert palo verde tree.  It has chlorophyll in its trunk and branches so it can carry on photosynthesis even when it has dropped its leaves to conserve moisture during dry spells.)

And now the mesquite.

What is it with Texas trees all blooming yellow flowers?

Oh yeah, and the prickly pear.

By the back fence.

It blooms all summer.

Under each bloom there is a soft green olive that the critters love.

They don’t have to eat them whole.  Little birds, like orange-crowned warblers, can just stand next to them and eat all the little bites they want!

The end of the amaryllis bloom.

Its job is done.  The last flower finished today.  Now the amaryllis can play outside in the sun all summer, resting up for next spring!