All posts by Debby Thompson

Get to Know Your Neighbors at the Library!

by Brittany Hecker, Adult Program & Service Librarian, WBCL

Strong communities start with strong relationships.  The people of Wells Branch are a close-knit community, with a wealth of talent and a friendliness that can’t be beat!

To celebrate and enrich this sense of community, the library is hosting a Community Meet & Greet Event on July 9th from 3:00-5:00pm.  Get to know your neighbors and develop new friendships!  Adults, families, and kids of all ages are invited to drop by to talk, play, and create with other Wells Branch residents.  We’ll have board games, ice-breakers, crafts, and a face-painter for the kids!  It’s a fun way to beat the heat and meet other wonderful neighbors in our community.  Refreshments will be served.  Whether you’re new to the area or have been here for years, come by to make some new friends this summer!

No registration needed.  For more information, email brittany@wblibrary.org or call the library at 512-989-3188.

Wells Branch is Under Construction and the CRITTERS are BACK!

Expect an increase in all kinds of wild creatures (possums, raccoons, snakes, rats, coyotes) this summer as we have several new construction projects underway in and around Wells Branch.  The best form of control for any of these animals is an integrated plan that removes access to shelter, food and water.  If you have a rat or mouse problem, then the use of rodenticides or traps may be necessary as well.  Every resident in Wells Branch can take steps to minimize appeal to these animals.  Rodent control is particularly effective when all our neighbors participate.

  • Do NOT leave food outside for your pets.
  • If your animals eat outside, give them a chance to eat and then bring the food and water bowls inside.
  • Secure all doggie-doors at night.
  • If you have a bird or squirrel feeder, bring it in at night.  Empty the birdbaths as well.
  • Seal all openings into your home and any outdoor storage units using hardware cloth and steel wool.  Mice can squeeze into a ¼” opening and it only takes ½” for a rat to gain access.
  • Clean out any debris that might provide refuge for these animals.

Coyotes:  It’s four months later and we’re still losing pets to coyotes.  Please visit the sites listed below and make sure you’re following all their tips.

  • Keep your pets inside from just before dusk until after dawn.  If they have to go out, take them on a leash – even in your own yard.  We have had coyotes both jump and dig under fences.
  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times.  They’ve been sited along the trails daily and have even followed walkers.  Keep your dog on a leash and close by.

Here are links to a great hand out from Travis County to download, the City of Austin webpage on coyotes, the Humane Society page, and Texas Parks & Wildlife page.  All cover tips on deterring coyotes and discuss how to best protect your fur babies.

Be safe, not sorry!

Snakes:

With the mild winter we’ve had and a plentiful food source, our slithery friends are out and about!  Please remember that rat snakes are our FRIENDS.  They earn their keep around here by keeping the rodent population down.  While they can get quite large, they don’t pose a threat to you, your children or your pets and are reluctant to bite unless messed with – leave them be and they’ll go on about their business.

Photo by Brad Dushkin

Unsure about which snakes are harmless and which may be poisonous?  Visit austinreptileservice.net to learn more.  This site makes it easy by breaking them down by stripes, blotches, diamonds, bands and solid color snakes.

WB Photo Club to Host “Camera Basics”

Summer is in full swing and so is the WB Photo Club!  During the June meeting we kicked off our own “Camera Basics Summer Camp”.  Steve Hilchey led an excellent session on the “Exposure Triangle” which covered the basics of Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO settings (fstoppers.com also has an excellent short article that highlights the main discussion points).

“Summer Camp” continues July 11 when we offer Part II of Camera Basics. We’ll work through bracketing, white balance, and some best practices to leverage basic “magic light” techniques.  August 8, we’ll host a hands-on session, with a photo op field trip.  Be sure to watch the WB community forums for more information.

WB Photo Club meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at the WB Rec. Center, 3000 Shoreline Drive, at 6:30pm. Our meetings follow a drop-in session format and are open to the entire community.  Questions?  Contact Margaret at mmsufke@gmail.com.

Remember, everyone is welcome and you do not need expensive equipment, any camera will do–even cell phones.

Take a break this summer and learn something new or just help share the hobby!
FOL Photo Contest Update:  Everyone is encouraged to participate!  Deadline was June 30th for all photos, with one exception; you may submit your absolute favorite shot of 4th Fest no later than 6pm, July 7.  See wbfriends. org for more information.