Weird and Interesting Sights

by Sue Ann Kendall

This post isn’t about Milam County, but it’s about some nature I observed at Fort Parker State Park, near Mexia and Groesbeck, Texas, to the north of here on the Navasota River. Since we have readers from all over the area, I’m hoping for some feedback on some of my sights, and for some high-fives about a few cool observations.

Even though we are under a giant heat dome, it was pleasant at the shady park during the mornings, so I did my longest “hikes” then (as anyone who’s gone on a walk with me will know, I stop an awful lot on hikes). The biggest highlight of my trip happened when I was on the river trail. I was busily listening to birds (vireos and more vireos), when something moved to my left. It was extra-brown and looked like mobile leaf litter. The shape told me I’d stumbled across a Chuck-Will’s Widow (Antrostomus carolinensis), my favorite nightjar! By standing still/creeping around, I managed to get photos that were identifiable, which excited me greatly. You don’t often see these birds; you more often hear them. as they are very loud and nocturnal. I’d only seen one of these birds one other time. So, that was enough nature for me, right there.

Of course, I found many other things. A couple of flowering plants were new to me, including this one, which could be one of two plants, both of which have the common name of butterfly pea or pigeon wings: Clitoria mariana or Centrosema virginianum – I’d love some help getting the right identification for this flowering vine, which is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

Another thing I saw that I could use some identification help with is this mammal skeleton. Could it be a fox or a coyote? It has large canine teeth. Or am I missing something obvious?

There was other evidence of creatures that have moved on, too. All over the part of the park near the lake are holes that look recently dug, with white things scattered around them. There were dozens of them.

My thought is that these are recently hatched turtles. I did see a few mounds of dirt that resemble turtle nests I’ve seen before. If even some of these made it to the lake, that’s a LOT of new turtles out there! I have a feeling all the egrets around the lake are happy with this potential feast. Do these look like turtle eggs to you?

That does it for my mysteries. I thought I’d share a few other bits of interesting nature that I ran across. Let me know if any of my IDs are wrong, and be sure to go correct me over on iNaturalist (I am sunasak).

If, for some reason, you’re dying to see the many, many other plants and insects I saw over the weekend, feel free to visit my personal blog:

• Things to Wonder About
• Just the Highlights
• Can You Camp when It’s Super Hot?
• Hey, I’m in Mexia, Sort of

Or for you hard-core observation lovers, I’m sunasak on iNaturalist. Please go confirm or deny my identifications! I appreciate it so much, and it helps me learn more.