About Us

The first incarnation of Sparkle Farm happened in a small wood clad garage in Oklahoma City in 2005.  From 2006-2009 it “graced” the walls of a rusty old builder’s warehouse, eventually moving to a 1947 industrial building that was the former home of U.S. Post Office jeep maintenance for Oklahoma City, OK.

We are proud to call Austin, TX home and look forward to all of the adventures these five acres have in store for us.

Tachinid Fly: Juriniopsis (Juriniopsis adusta)<br /><br />I was about to phone an exorcist when this giant hairy bear of a housefly started posing for me on the porch. It turns out, unless I'm a caterpillar or some other unfortunate creature that this fly lays eggs on or IN, they are harmless and even beneficial around the garden.
Tachinid Fly - Sparkle Farm - Austin, TX
This little cutie has been visiting every night. Full disclosure, I left kibble out last night for one of the possum rescues that was released last week. First come, first served on the snacks out here.
Grey Fox in NE Austin
This was a nice treat to see on the game camera. A gray fox marks his territory on some old pecan shells.
Gray Fox in Austin, TX
Only two wood ducks have been tootin' around the creek this year, but hopefully they are making a few more.
Wood Ducks on Walnut Creek in Austin, TX
These ducks are squirrly, but I did manage to grab some rough, but distant footage of them this morning. Three males and two females. It is the beginning of their nesting season and this may be the only time I post a video as I do not want to encroach or spook on their business. Wood Duck hens are known to lay and hatch their ducklings in the same area that the hens, themselves, were hatched. This makes 5 years running that I have seen a small flock this time of year and I cannot help but wonder if these are multigenerational.
Wood Ducks on Walnut Creek in NE Travis County, Austin, TX
A little break from the gloom and doom of all of the feral hogs. This healthy 6 point does not seem to mind the IR emitters at all as he grazes along Walnut Creek.
6 Point Buck on Walnut Creek in Travis County
The hogs are thick again this year. We are barely staying ahead of them with our grafted pecan trees. They are like vacuums.
More feral hogs from November 3rd, 2020 in NE Travis County on Walnut Creek.
Every once and awhile, when Walnut Creek goes dry, the feral hogs cross. Sometimes this is in our favor when they leave, although I do not wish them upon our neighbors. This month, they have crossed back over to our side with new litters in tow. Here we go again.
Wild Hog Invasion 2020
Penelope Casserole has taken to paying me a visit each and every morning. She calls out with these adorable chirps and I do my best/worst to answer her back with my colloquial and questionable Eastern Phoebe whistle. Most times I cannot even see her because she is so far away in the top of a tree, but she does not waste any time in coming to perch on my finger, head, or phone.
Penelope paying me a morning visit
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