Officers:
President:
Vice-president:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Past president:
Dayna Inbody
Robert Theimer
Jim Crocker
Scott Taylor
Dave Moore
Committee Chairs:
Training:
Robert Theimer
Membership: Wanda Riley
Vol. Services: Maryann Mathews
Programs:
Robert Theimer
Outreach:
Billy Teels
Summer 2016 Newsletter
Planting a Seed: Opening
Young Eyes to Nature
Inside this issue
By Teresa Taylor
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
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.
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 predatorprey interactions at an Acton Elementary
School field trip to the ANC. Photo: Teresa
Taylor
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,
But then you add some peanut butter, pine etc. What about just relaxing and
cones and seed. Throw in a Hula Hoop or appreciating being outside?
two, some colored markers and a couple of
ropes. Check your tool box for a hammer
There are some “progressive” ideas now that
and a pair of pliers. Scrounge around the are showing that recess - short periods of
kitchen for a nut cracker, a strainer, some outside physical activity - is actually helpful
tongs, an ice pick and a dish pan.
in increasing cognitive abilities. Why? It
gives the brain a rest. Simply changing
Given the right combination of ingredients – focus from a classroom setting to the
a few select items from the above lists, a
OUTDOORS makes a difference. Some
Master Naturalist with some playful insight schools are opting for an extension of the
and a child’s imagination - magic begins to classroom to include outdoor learning
happen.
centers to enhance nature study. Sounds
great, but there are still constraints, both
The Acton Nature Center is growing in
budgetary and administrative. Even if funds
popularity as a destination for elementary
are raised, school administration and faculty
school and home school field trips. With
have to go beyond liking the idea of the
the constant push for improved test scores outdoor learning center to the actual practice
and a seemingly chronic absence in
of effectively utilizing it. The reality is that
budgets for supplemental curriculum
there is additional responsibility in creation,
enrichment, teachers in many schools are upkeep and lesson planning. On one or
hard pressed to give their students “more.” more fronts, it may not be possible for a
There are tons of books filled with
school to accomplish that goal.
curriculum enrichment theory and activities.
So, the theory and practices are there, the The educational mission of the Rio Brazos
desire is there, but implementation poses a Master Naturalists fits perfectly by
problem.
addressing the need for students to get
outside and experience nature in their own
Much has been made of children parking
back yards in a less structured, informal
themselves (or being parked by busy
setting. The Acton Nature Center becomes
parents) in front of various electronic
the outdoor learning center, open year
devices. In formal education settings a
around for all to enjoy. Lots of kids
recent trend cuts back on recess to allow
introduced to the ANC as a field trip
for more classroom instruction time.
continued, page 2
1
Texas Master Naturalist, Rio Brazos Chapter
Planting a Seed, from page 1
destination have convinced their parents to
come back. Parent chaperones often
comment, “I didn’t know this was here.”
Acton Elementary first graders get
ready to embark on a Habitat Bingo
Hike with Billy Teels. Photo: Teresa
Taylor
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.
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?
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
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.
Dayna, Maryann, and Diane, assisting
youngsters at the 2015 Comanche Peak
Native Arts Day. Photo: Bill Diehnelt
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.
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.
2
Summer 2016
Kids Say the Darndest
Things
RBMN Monthly Programs
By Billy Teels
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.
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.
Expecting to capture monarchs in a
stylish sort of way, young
fashionistas come prepared to the
2015 Monarch Event. Photo: Bill
Diehnelt
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 Intent on learning, kids often become
students without even thinking when
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.
it comes to nature. 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
3
Summer 2016
A Teen Perspective on
Permaculture Volunteering
ANC Homeschoolers
Activities
By Madison McGlathery
By Jake Balmuth
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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
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
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
4
Summer 2016
Prairie Rose Chapter,
NPSOT, Earth Day
Celebration
By Lori Whitworth
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.
“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
YMCA Day at Cleburne State
Park
By Joretta Haas
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.
Debussing, children prepare to attend
the YMCA Day at Cleburne State Park.
Photo: Joretta Haas
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 kids don’t get the opportunity to
spend time enjoying nature. No better
Some of these kids do not get the opportunity chance for exposure to the outdoors
to spend time outdoors in nature and therefore than to go on a nature hike with Jim
and Cathy. Photo: Joretta Haas
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.
“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
Missouri nipple cactus was one of the
many blooming plants featured in this
year’s ANC Wildflower Walk. Photo:
Wendy Moore
Singing dickcissels were observed this
year at the ANC well into the breeding
season. Photo: Wendy Moore
5
Summer 2016
News from the ANC
By 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
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.
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
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.
ANC Fun Run
By Karen Langdon
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
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
Painted buntings returned to the ANC
this year as usual in late-April to begin
their annual breeding activities. Photo:
Jake Balmuth
6
Summer 2016
Plant Families:
Hydrocharatacae (Waterweeds)
and Potamogetonaceae
(Pondweeds)
By Billy Teels
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.
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.
“I don’t like formal gardens. I
like wild nature. It’s just the
wilderness instinct in me, I
guess.” Walt Disney
The ANC Fun Run at Revolver
Brewery was another big success this
year. Photo: Mel Schrader
Wendy, Valerie, and Bonnie; Master
Naturalist helpers at the 2016 ANC
Fun Run. Photo: Mel Schrader
Southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis),
illustrating the finely dissected opposite
leaves that are characteristic of the
Hydrocharataceae. Photo: Billy Teels
Long-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton
nodosus), illustrating alternate
submerged and floating leaves on the
same plant that are characteristics of
the Potamogetonaceae. Photo: Billy
Teels
7
Summer 2016
Davis Mountains State Park
By Wendy Moore
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 Davis Mountains landscape.
Photo: Chris Inbody
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.
Red velvet mites were out in full force
after the recent rains. Photo: Chris
Inbody
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.
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
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
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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
- 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.
It seems that every roadrunner we
saw at Ft. Davis had a lizard in its
mouth. Photo: Wendy Moore
-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.
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
- 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.
Birding in the State Park was
wonderful. Check out this acorn
woodpecker feeling safe in its cavity
tree home. Photo: Chris Inbody
- First Saturday Bird Walk at ANC December 3, 2016 7 to
9:30 AM Bring your binoculars, cameras, closed toe shoes
recommended.
A Texas Spiny Softshell Turtle from
Balmorea Springs wetlands, en
Baroque. Photo: Chris Inbody
- RBMN chapter field trip to the Valley Jan 8 to 15, 2016
details TBA
Rio Brazos Chapter
Texas Master Naturalist
www.riobrazosmn.org
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