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Summer 2016 Newsletter

Officers: President: Dayna Inbody Vice-president: Robert Theimer Treasurer: Jim Crocker Secretary: Scott Taylor Past president: Dave Moore Committee Chairs: Training: Robert Theimer Membership: Wanda Riley Vol. Services: Maryann Mathews Programs: Robert Theimer Outreach: Billy Teels

Planting a Seed: Opening Young Eyes to Nature

By Teresa Taylor

Used up toilet paper rolls, pieces of string, scraps of tape, coffee filters, bent wire, soda straws, egg cartons, and crushed leaves and flowers. Old raisins (Is that redundant?), stale pretzels, half cooked pasta and watery oat meal … Sounds like stuff one might find in a garbage can. But then you add some peanut butter, pine cones and seed. Throw in a Hula Hoop or two, some colored markers and a couple of ropes. Check your tool box for a hammer and a pair of pliers. Scrounge around the kitchen for a nut cracker, a strainer, some tongs, an ice pick and a dish pan. Given the right combination of ingredients – a few select items from the above lists, a Master Naturalist with some playful insight and a child’s imagination - magic begins to happen. The Acton Nature Center is growing in popularity as a destination for elementary school and home school field trips. With the constant push for improved test scores and a seemingly chronic absence in budgets for supplemental curriculum enrichment, teachers in many schools are hard pressed to give their students “more.” There are tons of books filled with curriculum enrichment theory and activities. So, the theory and practices are there, the desire is there, but implementation poses a problem. Much has been made of children parking themselves (or being parked by busy parents) in front of various electronic devices. In formal education settings a recent trend cuts back on recess to allow for more classroom instruction time.

Physical education (PE), art and music are combined into “special classes,” which students only get to attend once or twice a week. These trends have put kids firmly INDOORS and in a structured instruction setting. Beyond school, many children continue in structured activities such as organized sports, dance, gymnastics, karate, etc. What about just relaxing and appreciating being outside? There are some “progressive” ideas now that are showing that recess - short periods of outside physical activity - is actually helpful in increasing cognitive abilities. Why? It gives the brain a rest. Simply changing focus from a classroom setting to the OUTDOORS makes a difference. Some schools are opting for an extension of the classroom to include outdoor learning centers to enhance nature study. Sounds great, but there are still constraints, both budgetary and administrative. Even if funds are raised, school administration and faculty have to go beyond liking the idea of the outdoor learning center to the actual practice of effectively utilizing it. The reality is that there is additional responsibility in creation, upkeep and lesson planning. On one or more fronts, it may not be possible for a school to accomplish that goal. The educational mission of the Rio Brazos Master Naturalists fits perfectly by addressing the need for students to get outside and experience nature in their own back yards in a less structured, informal setting. The Acton Nature Center becomes the outdoor learning center, open year around for all to enjoy. Lots of kids introduced to the ANC as a field trip

Planting a Seed…..…................................1 Kids Say the Darndest Things…...............3 Monthly Programs………………………….3 A Teen’s Perspective on Permaculture….4 ANC Homeschoolers………………………4 NPSOT Earth Day Celebration…………...5 YMCA at Cleburne State Park….………...5 ANC News………………………………….6 Plant Families………………………………7 Davis Mountains State Park….…………...8

Inside this issue

Scott Taylor is swarmed by butterflies and first graders at one of the 2016 Acton Elementary School outings at the ANC. Photo: Teresa Taylor

Hungry foxes in search for food; one of the wildlife games played to illustrate predator-prey interactions at an Acton Elementary School field trip to the ANC. Photo: Teresa Taylor

continued, page 2

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Texas Master Naturalist, Rio Brazos Chapter

Those tools and utensils we scrounged from the toolbox and kitchen become bird beaks, illustrating how various birds’ beaks are used to help them obtain their specific diet. Soda straws represent the specialized beaks of hummingbirds; nut crackers and pliers are cardinals; strainers are some ducks and pelicans; tongs are shore birds. Raisins were bugs; pretzels were insects and worms in the grass, in soil and on trees; nuts were – well they were nuts. Oh! and the half cooked noodles and watery oat meal were a hit as our pretend water worms and snails along the silty shores of a lake or river. The hair clip as a road runner beak to snatch up the toy lizards was popular, as well. Hula Hoops and ropes, kids in cat and fox masks, and a model town and tarps became safe places, power lines and predators as kids became a flock of imaginary birds facing hazards and obstacles on their migratory flights. Spoiler alert: Some imaginary birds did not make it. Stories of stewardship and use of natural materials introduce kids to the Native American way of using what they had to their best utilitarian and artistic advantage. This is the focus of the Native Arts Day at Comanche Peak Nature Trail. What all these endeavors have in common is that they get kids outside, hiking and observing the natural world around them. Being in nature. They learn habitat is a very real thing, something of which we are a part and on which we have an impact. It is not simply a concept in a text book or an episode on Discovery Channel. (Nature Hike Bingo or Habitat Jenga anyone?) Beyond simply teaching information, the goal is to excite imaginations and create connections between a child and the natural world in his or her own back yard. Understanding and connecting to the little things now can help form a nurturing attitude toward stewardship of their natural world in the future. If we can plant that seed, it’s a good start.

The October Monarch Events feature a kid’s day prior to the main event on the weekend. Here are Tessa and Jake readying a group of second graders for monarch tagging. Photo: Bill Diehnelt

Acton Elementary first graders get ready to embark on a Habitat Bingo Hike with Billy Teels. Photo: Teresa Taylor

destination have convinced their parents to come back. Parent chaperones often comment, “I didn’t know this was here.” In addition to Spring field trips, kids’ activities are set up for the RBMN’s Monarch Event and Feather Fest at the ANC and the Native Arts Event at the Comanche Peak Nature Trail. The activities are fun and creative, and they all match up with the curriculum requirements for the students taking part. In short, they get to do fun stuff, and we sneak the learning in on them! New on our horizon is the development of “Education Trunks” about topics such as Geology (rocks and fossils), Animal Tracks, Cycles, Entomology (insects), Ornithology (birds) and Astronomy. These will contain the lessons we develop, along with the needed materials and a “Do this, say this” script/directions for anyone to use. These trunks may be used at events or taken to a site, if field trips are not possible. It is an ambitious task, but totally obtainable through the knowledge and talents of our RBMN membership. Now about that list of “garbage.” Educational value? Really? TP rolls have a hole punched in one end on each one. Two are taped together. Each end of the string is tied through the hole on each TP roll. Voila! Imaginary binoculars used to teach how to look at birds during Feather Fest. Dayna Inbody encountered a young lady - totally dressed in princess pink–down to the tape and string for her binoculars. She very seriously informed Dayna that she could see the birds much more clearly now that she had her binoculars. Pine cones, peanut butter, bird seed and string are converted into a birdy fast food diner – complete with a brown lunch bag for take home. The Monarch Event allows kids to learn about complete metamorphosis, the life cycle and migration patterns of the Monarch butterfly. Egg cartons are morphed into caterpillars; pipe cleaners, coffee filters and markers are transformed into butterflies with symmetrical markings on their wings.

In addition to spring field trips, kid’s activities are set up for other events held at the ANC, such as this session on bird feeding at Feather Fest. Photo: Bill Diehnelt.

Dayna, Maryann, and Diane, assisting youngsters at the 2015 Comanche Peak Native Arts Day. Photo: Bill Diehnelt

Planting a Seed, from page 1

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Summer 2016

Jim West of the Indian Trails TMN Chapter gave the April program that included photos he had taken in and around the John Bunker Sands Wetlands near Seagoville. His photos were of a variety of plants and animals, including a rare Hudsoinian godwit, seldom seen in North Central Texas. He said that he hoped his photography would help inspire folks to appreciate and preserve the natural world. Tanner Rhone, Camp Director of Camp El Tesoro gave the May program on the history of the camp, including recent upgrades and changes. Camp El Tesoro was one of our first chapter partners, and has provided many volunteer opportunities over the years. They have also hosted our chapter award ceremonies and now host our monthly meetings when they are in Hood County. Tanner presented a video tour of the Camp and explained how we can plug in to get involved. Sam Kieschnick, Urban Wildlife Biologist, TPWD, gave the June program on iNaturalist. Sam’s enthusiastic presentations are not new to our chapter. Sam gave a previous program on Comanche Peak prairie clover while he was with the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Sam presented iNaturalist as new way of documenting where and what we see in the field. It provides a handy way of recording observations and sharing those with fellow naturalists. The July program was given by Karen Siddall of the Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District. Karen discussed progress made by the District in implementing the recent Texas groundwater regulation authority. She also brought with her a demonstration trailer that contained the latest technology in displaying aquifer function and the influence of wells. One of the displays had an incredible interactive simulation of how aquifers are recharged and the influence of human activities. It included the geologic formations of the area and their relative permeability, the depth to the aquifers, and how wells impact the water table.

RBMN Monthly Programs

By Billy Teels

Expecting to capture monarchs in a stylish sort of way, young fashionistas come prepared to the 2015 Monarch Event. Photo: Bill Diehnelt

Reptile Fest had over 500 attendees for the second year in a row, attesting to the fascination of people, especially youngsters, to “crawly things.” Photo: Bill Diehnelt

Kids Say the Darndest Things

By Dayna Inbody and Billy Teels

Art Linkletter really has nothing on Master Naturalists when it comes to getting responses from children that make you laugh so hard you cry. After one of the sessions at the ANC with Acton Elementary School, a group of us were sharing some of the funny things that we heard the kids say, and thought those comments, and others, would make for a good newsletter article. So, what do you think? “It’s a porta-potty, whatever you do don’t look down.”—little girl to her classmates that were waiting in line during a bathroom break from one of the 2016 Acton School outings. “I’ve always wanted a boy butterfly. I’m gonna name him Bobby.”—little boy from the 2014 Monarch Event. During the 2016 Feather Fest, Dayna told a little girl that, “I see you made your binos to match your pretty pink outfit (the binos were made from toilet rolls and decorated by her).” Her response was—“Thanks, I can see so much better with these. Really!” During a 2015 Acton School outing, Billy asked a group of first graders what they thought used those bat boxes. Without a correct response, he gave a hint—it was an animal with hair. A little girl’s hand quickly went up. Her answer was a confident—“angels.” “Thank you for going trail.”—in a thank you card from one of the 2016 Acton Elementary School classes.” “Every time we come to the ANC it gets funnier and funnier.”—little boy from one of the 2016 Acton School outings. “I have Grandma legs, I can’t walk that fast.”—little boy trying to keep up with Billy during one of the 2016 Acton School outings. “It smells like green pecans on a summer’s day.”—a little blind boy from the 2014 Monarch Event that smelled the juniper berries that Valerie had crushed for him. “Nature is never boring.”—the same little blind boy—conveying a feeling that we all should have about something as wonderful as nature.

Intent on learning, kids often become students without even thinking when it comes to nature. Photo: Bill Diehnelt

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A Teen Perspective on Permaculture Volunteering By Madison McGlathery

ANC Homeschoolers Activities

By Jake Balmuth

Summer 2016

On Friday, March 25, 2016 a group of homeschooling families went to the Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Extension Center in Stephenville for a permaculture work day with the Rio Brazos Chapter of Master Naturalists from approximately 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. I was fortunate enough to be able to lend a hand that day, along with my family and other volunteers and staff. Throughout most of the morning everyone focused their attention on spreading mulch over beds of native flowering plants and herbs. The staff taught us to leave a two inch perimeter around the flowers when spreading mulch to give them space to grow effectively. Next, we dived into groups and went on to planting six native fruit trees on the permaculture property. As a high school student I found it interesting as I learned the process of permaculture and the different methods that you can cultivate crops, and also the different techniques used in sustainable planting. For instance, we placed terra cotta pots upside down in the three foot holes we dug for the tree saplings. This was done so that when the saplings grow, the roots will wrap around the terra cotta pots for support and stability. Something else I found interesting was the way we finished off planting the trees. We used a specific method to fill in the tree holes, layering both the soil and compost equally until reaching the top. After planting the native fruit trees, we spread compost, triple phosphate and mulch around each fruit tree’s base. We then used pieces of cardboard that were cut to cover these components around the base of the tree, protecting against erosion. I believe that coming out and participating in projects like this one are great opportunities for those who want to learn more, as well as assist in sustainable education. Permaculture appears to me to be important to learn and teach so that we can further improve organic crop cultivation methods rather than using harmful pesticides. The potential to help and improve our interaction and outcomes to our surrounding ecosystem will only grow with projects like these.

Part of the 2016 RBMN training class, Madison McGlathery, with friend, penned the article on a teen’s perspective of permaculture. Photo: Heather McGlathery

At the homeschooler’s habitat class, students filled out a Habitat Appraisal Guide as they were instructed on the habitat requirements of the Northern Bobwhite. Photo: Heather McGlathery

The ANC Homeschoolers had two other sessions in addition to the permaculture work day in March—a habitat class on April 8, and a seining event on June 10. Habitat Class: What is a habitat? A habitat is an environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of plants, animals, or other types of organisms. The ANC is full of natural habitats. After learning about habitats in general, we narrowed the broad subject of habitats down to specifically the habitat for the northern bobwhite. We learned about how it nests in tall grasses, and how important plants such as broom weed are because they provide screening cover which protects the brood while it is foraging. We also learned about the importance of shrubs, brush piles, and bare ground. We concluded by going on a hike, and using the Bobwhite Quail Habitat Evaluation and Management Guide to determine the quality of the approximately 40 acre piece of land we were assessing. In the end, we determined that it was producing about 70% of its potential. Seining Event: The last event of the semester for the ANC homeschoolers was a seining event. We met at the ANC and caravanned to the Langdon’s Fall Creek Ranch where we seined. As always, seining is a big hit, and everyone enjoyed it very much. We caught a variety of species including bluegill sunfish, longear sunfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass, red shiners, one mosquito fish, dragonfly larva, damselfly larva, and mayfly larva. After having lunch and identifying the species, we returned to the ANC where we released the fish into the water feature.

At the seining event, fish were seined, identified, and then safely transferred to aerated buckets before being transported the ANC water feature. Photo: Heather McGlathery

“If a child is to keep his inborn

sense of wonder, he needs the

companionship of at least one

adult who can share it,

rediscovering with him the joy,

excitement, and mystery of the

world we live in.” Rachel Carson

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YMCA Day at Cleburne State Park

By Joretta Haas

Prairie Rose Chapter, NPSOT, Earth Day Celebration

By Lori Whitworth

Debussing, children prepare to attend the YMCA Day at Cleburne State Park. Photo: Joretta Haas

Summer 2016

The YMCA event at Cleburne State Park was a success for those that attended and volunteered. Thanks to all RBMN chapter members and staff that helped with the event. There were approximately twenty eight youth ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade in attendance with eight sponsors. The youth were able to experience new things, one being a nature hike led by Jim and Cathy Crocker. They taught about the mammals, flora and fauna found in the park. The youth were also given an opportunity to do some geocaching and learn how to use GPS to locate treasures. A highlight was getting to fish off the pier and catching some small perch. Who doesn't enjoy a good day fishing. Some of these kids do not get the opportunity to spend time outdoors in nature and therefore it was a bit uncomfortable at first for some. But given the chance lead by wonderful volunteers and staff they grew relaxed, eager to learn and had a great time. The temperatures were typical Texas summer temperatures but it was an enjoyable day for all who attended. Thanks to all our RBMN members and to Cleburne State Park for making this happen for youth in the community. Missouri nipple cactus was one of the

many blooming plants featured in this year’s ANC Wildflower Walk. Photo: Wendy Moore

Some kids don’t get the opportunity to spend time enjoying nature. No better chance for exposure to the outdoors than to go on a nature hike with Jim and Cathy. Photo: Joretta Haas

Saturday, April 23, Prairie Rose Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas hosted our first Earth Day Celebration. The weather was beautiful, the Paluxy River was running high, Mayor Moody made a cameo appearance and Glen Rose was the site of another family friendly event. The event location, Heritage Park, is a destination every local should visit as often as the weather permits. It is beautiful, clean, 2 blocks off the Courthouse Square, and has open access to the Paluxy River. It is also home to a large pavilion, modern playground, historical buildings, large shade trees and an Earth Kind rose garden. The event ran from 10AM to 3PM. Participants included Prairie Rose, Somervell County Master Gardeners, Rio Brazos Master Naturalists, Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose Garden Club, Glen Rose Bird Club and Dino Bee Club. Additionally, delicious cupcakes were available from Cupcakes Galore & More. Free children’s activities enjoyed were fish mobile creation, birdseed feeder construction, wildflower seed ball making, mystery nature box discovery, and bee hive viewing. Plant sales were brisk and many happy customers left with native plants in hand. A cedar bluebird nest box raffle raised money for the Glen Rose Bird Sanctuary. Local resident Vickie Huckabee was the lucky winner.

Singing dickcissels were observed this year at the ANC well into the breeding season. Photo: Wendy Moore

“Children are born with a sense

of wonder and an affinity for

nature. Properly cultivated,

these values can mature into

ecological literacy, and

eventually into sustainable

patterns of living.” Zenobia

Barlow, Confluence of Streams

“The ultimate test of a man’s

conscience may be his

willingness to sacrifice

something today for future

generations whose words of

thanks may not be heard.”

Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth

Day

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Summer 2016

News from the ANC

By Billy Teels

ANC Fun Run

By Karen Langdon

list and a brief write-up of the walk’s highlights. Painted buntings returned to the Center as usual in late April and have been evident at the feeders ever since. Numbers of species on the walks have been hovering around 30, with the bird blind providing many good looks and photo opportunities. A yellow-crowned night heron, a first for the Center, was spotted on the July bird walk, bringing the ANC total to 145. While conducting checks of the nesting boxes on June 11, a dickcissel’s nest with five eggs was discovered neatly tucked into a clump of grass. In previous years dickcissel’s have passed through the Center, but this is the first confirmed record of nesting. For the first time in several years, production from the Center’s bluebird boxes has dramatically declined. Only nine eastern bluebirds and 51 Bewick’s wrens were fledged this year. That is down from 22 bluebirds and 82 wrens produced in 2015. However, the production for Carolina chickadees remained the same, with 11 chicks fledged in both 2015 and 2016. Four screech owls were also produced from one of the nesting boxes in the woods.

The first documented record of a dickcissel breeding at the ANC came on June 11 of this year when a female was flushed from this nest. Photo: Billy Teels

Late spring saw numerous educational events at the ANC for both the public schools and the ANC Children’s Program. Students from Mambrino and Acton Elementary Schools visited the Center on three occasions in late April. Over one hundred students were present during the Acton Elementary School outings requiring the classes to be broken into groups and led by Master Naturalists in activities such as wildlife games, wildlife arts and crafts, and habitat bingo hikes. Homeschoolers convened at the Center on April 8 and were given hands-on training in wildlife habitat evaluation. Each homeschooler was provided a habitat assessment guide and worksheet for the northern bobwhite that they completed as they walked through the Center’s bobwhite habitat. On June 8 students from Acton Methodist Church met at the Center for training that focused on birds. Master Naturalists led them to the education center where they made pine cone bird feeders and watched birds from the new bird blind. On June 10 homeschoolers received aquatic ecology training at the Langdon’s property on Fall Creek, where they seined small fish, some of which were then transported to the pond at the ANC bird blind. More than 20 people attended the May 1, ANC Wildflower Walk and were treated not only to many spectacular wildflowers that were in full bloom, but a large Texas ratsnake that climbed into a juniper and provided numerous photo opportunities. Because of the wet spring, several of the little barrel cactus were blooming, as well as other plants that seem to only flower in wet years. The Second Annual Reptile Fest led by Mark Pyle was held at the ANC Education Center on May 7, and was again a big hit drawing over 500 people. Attendance for ANC bird walks has been steady at about 10-15 people. Photographers have been capturing great shots of birds and other aspects of nature, such as dragonflies, turtles laying eggs, and rabbits. Photos taken during the walks are e-mailed to participants, along with the bird

Bill Diehnelt focusing in on a large Texas ratsnake that fled to the shelter of this juniper during the May Wildflower Walk. Photo: Wendy Moore

Painted buntings returned to the ANC this year as usual in late-April to begin their annual breeding activities. Photo: Jake Balmuth

Four hundred ninety-seven running participants and many volunteers made the 2016 Acton Nature Center Fun Run a big success. Mother Nature provided a beautiful day for all attending on April 23, 2016 at the Revolver Brewery. About $11,000 was raised that will go toward improvements and maintenance at the ANC. A big thank you to all the Master Naturalists who helped with the successful ANC Fun Run Event.

“Never doubt that a small group

of thoughtfully committed

citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that

ever has.” Margaret Meade

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Summer 2016

Southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis), illustrating the finely dissected opposite leaves that are characteristic of the Hydrocharataceae. Photo: Billy Teels

The ANC Fun Run at Revolver Brewery was another big success this year. Photo: Mel Schrader The next two monocot families contain

members that are only aquatic, the waterweeds (Hydrocharatacae), and the pondweeds (Potamogetonaceae). As their common names suggest, they are not often highly regarded, with many people wanting to get rid of them because of their interference with fishing or lack of aesthetical appeal. However, aquatic plants are not only a necessary part the environment, they are highly desirable. Only plants can convert solar energy into stored chemical energy for use by animals. For example, as much as 21,000 pounds of aquatic plants per acre can be produced in freshwater ponds, which in turn can be used as food and cover by a variety of aquatic species. Most fish use insects at least some time in their life cycle. The vast majority of aquatic insects are herbivorous and feed directly on aquatic vegetation. Aquatic vegetation also provides escape cover for small fish which allows a balanced community to develop with different size and age groups. Also, many aquatic plants are renowned as prime waterfowl foods. Both of our aquatic monocot families contain plants with submerged leaves. The waterweed family contains only members with submerged leaves, which can be basal, opposite, or whorled. Plants of the pondweed family have leaves that are alternate, but can be either submerged or floating. The floating leaves of pondweeds spread from the underwater stems and are elliptical in shape with conspicuously parallel veins. Sometimes the arrangement of the underwater leaves, which is critical in separating these two families, can be hard to observe. When removed from the water, the leaves go limp and collapse along the stem and have to be teased away to detect their arrangement. However, if the leaves can be observed in the water, or a water filled pan or hand, their arrangement becomes apparent.

Wendy, Valerie, and Bonnie; Master Naturalist helpers at the 2016 ANC Fun Run. Photo: Mel Schrader

Long-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus), illustrating alternate submerged and floating leaves on the same plant that are characteristics of the Potamogetonaceae. Photo: Billy Teels

Because vegetative reproduction is the most common form of reproduction in aquatic plants, they can spread very easily from the smallest of fragments. Thus, they have become invasive in many waters. Boats, trailers, bait-buckets, and intentional and accidental introductions have spread plants from one body of water to the next, where they have in many cases exploded in coverage. For example, one of the waterweeds (Hydrilla verticillata), an Old World exotic used in the aquaria trade, was first introduced into the wild in South Florida in the 1960s. Since then it has spread across most of the nation, and to Texas, becoming so abundant in some places that it clogs waterways, curtails fishing and other forms of recreation, and often causes oxygen depletions. It also competes with and often eliminates native aquatic plants that are important to fish and waterfowl.

Plant Families: Hydrocharatacae (Waterweeds) and Potamogetonaceae (Pondweeds) By Billy Teels

“I don’t like formal gardens. I

like wild nature. It’s just the

wilderness instinct in me, I

guess.” Walt Disney

8

Summer 2016

The Davis Mountains landscape. Photo: Chris Inbody

As is the case with all Texas State Parks, Davis Mountains State Park is a jam packed nature lover’s delight with something to please any and all interests. Billy and Phyllis Teels, Chris and Dayna Inbody and Dave and Wendy Moore spent a week in June hiking and exploring and overlapped for an evening with our newest members Dywayne and Margi Calder who had independently planned a visit. We were able to compare notes and get great hiking ideas from them. We saw Pallid Bats in the evenings and Mule Deer and Peccaries. We attended a lecture on Peccaries (also known as Javelinas or Musk Hogs) given by Tara Poloskey, Interpretive Ranger. We lucked out seeing a Canyon Tree Frog on the wall of one the two bird blinds and were shown Red Velvet Mites. We found a Bell’s Vireo nesting and saw tiny babies when we peeked into the nest. Mountain Lions have been seen in the park but we weren’t fortunate enough to glimpse them. During a hike with Tara, she pointed out that due to recent early rains (the monsoon season wasn’t due for another month), we could smell the pungent odors of False Willow, Rubber Rabbit Bush, Apache Plume, Agarita, and Little Walnut in the riparian zone. Most of the drier part of the year the smells are not nearly as noticeable. During the week we took a side trip to Balmorhea State Park and checked out their wetlands restoration project and saw really large soft-shelled turtles as well as sliders. A few miles from there is a new project being developed by the Tierra Grande Master Naturalists called the Sandia Wetlands Project. Checking it out we found there are four ponds which seasonally hold water and can be great habitat for migrating shorebirds and ducks. There was no water but we lucked out seeing Scaled Quail, Burrowing Owls and a very large Horny Toad happily sitting in a Harvester Ant nest enjoying his feast. Another side trip took us on a 2.5 mile hike through a Nature Conservancy holding located about ten miles from the McDonald Observatory. Our visit to the star party at the McDonald Observatory threatened to be a bust with early cloud cover but the staff

improvised their usual tour of the skies and gave us a virtual tour and an interesting talk on exoplanets - and then the skies cleared and we got to look through their telescopes with a stunning view of Saturn. A trip to the Davis Mountains wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Ft. Davis National Historic Site which was completed over two days because of lots of rain, lightning and thunder. Another historical note was the wonderful Indian Lodge in the Davis Mountains State Park which was built by the CCC and has been lovingly restored and is a beautiful architectural structure and a wonderful place to laze away the hours as the group found out while rocking in gliders and marveling at the agility of the Barn and Cave Swallows diving into the patio mere inches from our heads bringing food to their babies in nests in the rafters. The birding in the park and in nearby areas is also superb. We were treated to a sight which even impressed Tara. We were watching an adult Red-tailed Hawk circling with what looked like prey in its talons. The hawk was calling and soon two juveniles joined the adult in circling above us. As we watched, the adult and one of the youngsters approached and then rolled in opposite directions with their talons outstretched and reaching upwards the adult passed the catch to the younger bird in air. Unfortunately the younger bird dropped the prey. Later in our visit, we were lucky enough to be witness to this example of an adult hawk feeding its young again. This time the adult had not a small bird (as Chris’s photo showed) but a snake, and this time the handover worked. None of us had ever been privy to this and were amazed and honored to have witnessed it. Other birding wonders were the excellent views and photographic chances of seeing a Cassin’s Kingbird, numerous in the park. We were amazed at our wonderful looks at this bird but were reminded when conversing with other birders from other locations that what was incredible to us to see was routine for them. This is a park to recommend to all but as we find out, all our Texas Parks are great and we invite, encourage and continue to hope that all our members will accompany us on these field trips. Some folks camp (in trailers or tents) and some seek the comforts of the lodges. Everything works! We hike, eat, talk and hope to see you all at our next trip.

Red velvet mites were out in full force after the recent rains. Photo: Chris Inbody

Wendy’s patience paid off as she waited on this Bell’s vireo to return to the nest to feed its young. Photo: Wendy Moore

The pink tinged, silky seed heads of Apache plume were evident along the riparian area where park naturalist Tara led us on a hike. Photo: Wendy Moore

Davis Mountains State Park

By Wendy Moore

9

Upcoming Chapter Field Trips/Events

From the Sandia Wetlands Project, a Texas horned lizard lying on a harvester ant mound. Check out the ant safely (for the time being) perched on top of its head. Photo: Chris Inbody

From the looks of things, this should be another good quail year in West Texas. Chris captured this scaled quail near the Sandia Wetlands Project. Photo: Chris Inbody

Birding in the State Park was wonderful. Check out this acorn woodpecker feeling safe in its cavity tree home. Photo: Chris Inbody

A Texas Spiny Softshell Turtle from

Balmorea Springs wetlands, en

Baroque. Photo: Chris Inbody

It seems that every roadrunner we saw at Ft. Davis had a lizard in its mouth. Photo: Wendy Moore

Rio Brazos Chapter

Texas Master Naturalist

www.riobrazosmn.org

- iNaturalist Field Trip for Rio Brazos Master Naturalist Chapter, August 20, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the Acton Nature Center In Hood County Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, wearing closed toed shoes recommended. We will meet at the pavilion near the parking lot of the Acton Nature Center and go over instructions from Sam. - Bird Walk at ANC September 3, 2016 7-9:30 AM Bring your binoculars, cameras, closed toe shoes recommended. - Annual Star Party at ANC September 10, 2016 8 to 11 PM Need volunteers See flyer for more details. Chris and Dayna Inbody leads on event. -October 8, 2016 Native Arts Day at Comanche Peak Trail 9 to 12:30 AM Need volunteers See flyer for more details. Maryann Mathews lead on event. - Annual Monarch Tagging Event at ANC October 15, 2016 9AM to 12 noon Need volunteers. Dayna Inbody lead for event. See flyer for more details. Public school day reserved October 14, 2016 9 AM to 12 Noon. Need volunteers. - TMN Annual State Meeting October 21 to 23, 2016 see TMN website for details - First Saturday Bird Walk at ANC November 5, 2016 7 to 9:30 AM Bring your binoculars, cameras, closed toe shoes recommended. - RBMN chapter field trip to Petite Jean State Park November 6 to 13, 2016 All members welcome contact Dayna Inbody for more details. - First Saturday Bird Walk at ANC December 3, 2016 7 to 9:30 AM Bring your binoculars, cameras, closed toe shoes recommended. - RBMN chapter field trip to the Valley Jan 8 to 15, 2016 details TBA