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.
The trails were surrounded with beautiful Turk’s cap plants in bloom.
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.
As good as my photography gets.
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.
There aren’t many flowers, but the vine itself is really interesting, because it grows very long tendrils that hang down gracefully.
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?
A former animal
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).
Trailing fuzzy-bean. Great name! (Strophostyles helvola)There was apparently an epic bird battle on one trailFeathers of these two birds alternated for hundreds of yardsThis PardPardosa mercurialisblends in with the concrete.Pitcher’s leatherflower grows by Walker’s Creek near my house, too.Whitenymph (repocarpus aethusae) is very pale and delicate.Lanceleaf GreenbrierSmilax smalliiwas everywhere. Pretty flowers.I’m not sure what kind of grasshopper this is, but that must be a strong spiderweb!A very pale Ruellia.A robberfly, perhaps Efferia aestuans – they look scaryA cicada right after emerging. That’s a rare sight.This weird insect came up as a cattail toothpick grasshopper (eptysma marginicollis) but it’s not confirmed.My favorite butterfly of the weekend, the confused cloudywing (Thorybes confusis). I’m not sure what it’s confused about.
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:
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.
The skies over Mike McCormick’s ranch were awash in Purple Martins on Saturday, June 24. He estimates that he has 800 adults that have laid 3 to 8 eggs per pair – most of which have hatched. When the babies are air born, they may black out the blue above.
A small, but resolute group of El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist braved the heat to get an annual report on the expansive Purple Martin breeding grounds a few miles outside Buckholts. Thankfully, there was a nice breeze and shade up on the hill where the birds take up residence in the specially made houses on the McCormick place.
McCormick made all the houses in his workshop. He also created an impressive trap house for English Starlings and sparrows. Starlings are notorious for taking over Purple Martin houses. Sparrows are known to do it, too. Apparently, starlings and sparrows are just too curious for their own good when they see others of their kind. The trap is somewhat large and made to let them in but not out. He keeps a few as “pets” so the newcomers will see them eating and join them in the cage.
McCormick told the group about Meteorologist Andy Anderson, formerly of KCEN, telling him that two years in the 2008 to 2010 range, the Purple Martins were “seen” on his radar because of how thick and black they looked when they do their daily hunting circles. The radar picked it up as a moving dark cloud.
He did state that he would be making some more to be sold soon.
Kim and I worked at the Wildscape early one morning, but it was not early enough. When we left at 9:30 it was oppressive. We aim to work from 7:00 until 8:30 next time. The humidity is what makes you feel ill.
Texas Kidneywood
Many native wildflowers are in bloom. There are native seeds and plants to give away.
Mexican Hat and Elbow wood
At some point, one of our native plant experts is going to verify which of the Native plants in the Wildscape are native to Milam County. We will try to get some endemic plants in the garden as well.
Mexican Honeysuckle
Pictured are Texas Kidneywood, Mexican Hat and Elbow bush, Mexican Honeysuckle, Wild Bee Balm, Englemann Daisy, Milkweed, and Black Eyed Susan, among others.
We had a great day at the Wildscape with twelve volunteers:
Carolyn
Liz
Donna
Connie
Sandra
Scott
Pamela
Linda Jo
Catherine
Patricia
Neil
Phyllis
Many chores were accomplished to ready the garden for upcoming events.
Catherine shows off her grapes.
We discussed how important our work is towards furthering the Master Naturalist mission of natural resource education in our community. We ended the day taking home Wildscape grapes, plants, nature gifts, and for some fun, dining out.
Donna at workConnie taking care of plantsScott ready to get stuff doneCatherine has a lot of grapes, as Sandra looks onLinda Jo (not taking photos for iNat) and PamelaCarolyn and her haulConnie watches Phyllis pruneNeil hydratingResting from the heat
On Thursday, June 8, members of the El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist had a fabulous time celebrating fifteen years as a chapter. We stuck with it, survived some hard times, dealt with a pandemic, and have emerged strong and active in Milam County. All members and friends, past and present, should give themselves a pat on the back!
Here we are applauding the original members who joined us as we celebrated.
Our hospitality committee outdid themselves in creating a beautiful setting for a combined educational meeting and celebration. We started with a festive potluck mean, followed by a special selection of desserts. The cake was chocolate with cherry filling. and it was covered with flowers, butterflies, and other natural delights. There were also cupcakes that looked like beautiful flowers.
Cake and cupcakesCupcakesPaul Unger, our first chapter president, cuts the cake.Jan Unger helped with the cake cutting
We were honored that Paul and Jan Unger joined us from Fredericksburg, where they are currently living, to help us remember our origins. Paul was the first president of the chapter. He was one of the entertaining and extra educational speakers who told those of us who have joined the program more recently learn how we got to have such a thriving organization.
The Ungers are joined by Mike Mitchell and Ann Collins, the masterminds of our chapter.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers at the celebration. I learned so much (not all of it having anything to do with Master Naturalists, but that’s because there was so much good-natured ribbing going on). The evening started out with our current president and vice president, Carolyn Henderson and Liz Lewis, welcoming us all and sharing insights into today’s chapter.
These two had fun!
Then Phyllis Shuffield, a member of the first class, who was the president of the chapter when I joined, came up to introduce our founders. Since Phyllis is one of the best story-tellers I know, I really enjoyed finding out how she met Mike Mitchell stalking her property. Spoiler: he was the Game Warden and was looking for poachers. But she got him to turn quite red by the time she was finished. She then welcomed Ann Collins to the stage.
Phyllis, just getting warmed upAnn, preparing to share our origin story
I wish we’d recorded Ann’s talk. Hmm, as I look at the photo above, I see she did write it all down. Maybe she’ll send me her notes and I can write them up. I’ve done it before! Ann’s story of how she became a naturalist reminded me of the protagonist of Where the Crawdads Sing. Ann ran wild and free down by an East Texas creek, educated by her own curiosity and some great mentors. She lived in the Center of Civilization (Cameron) after her girlhood, and just kept learning as she raised her children and moved around Texas. She served as a docent at so many interesting places…and learned from so many great teachers…no wonder she knows pretty much every bird and plant she encounters.
And Ann is STILL excited about nature, every day!
She’s one persistent human, too. The path to getting our chapter started had many stops and starts, including a stint as a Master Gardener (even though she is NOT actually a gardener), and taking a Master Naturalist class in College Station that was full of PhDs who intimidated her until she figured out they were just people, too. Putting Ann together with Mike, our other co-founder, created a dynamic duo who would stop at nothing to get Milam County its own chapter.
Mike explaining some of the chapter treasures he brought along.
And yes, Mike Mitchell spoke next. He was our first chapter advisor and is proud to point out he is a friend of our chapter, not a member. For some reason, tracking his hours doesn’t appeal to him. But he has a Friend pin! What Mike did do was spend his off-work time and money getting the chapter documents together, creating a curriculum for the first training class, and publicizing El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist. He still has his first outlines, the first class schedule, and many more amazing artifacts from starting our chapter.
They guys who supported and approved the new chapter.The long and winding process to get the first class graduatedThe rest of the folks who worked hard to create our chapterFirst class field tripFirst officersCelebrating the first class at Apache Pass
Mike also acknowledged Don Travis, our webmaster and record keeper.
Listening to Mike made me truly appreciate the effort those dedicated naturalists had to undertake to get us up and running as well as the pioneer spirit of those first class members. It’s impressive that so many of them are still with us and continuing to actively contribute to the chapter.
We honored those who have passed on, such as Katherine Bedrich, and learned where some of the others now are. I was grateful for the chance to acknowledge those who couldn’t join us
I’m very grateful that Mike’s still our friend, still speaking to dozens of new Master Naturalist classes each year, and planning to present at the next Annual Meeting. He’s a lot of fun to hang out with, as I’ve learned from past meetings.
The work of our chapter does continue, so we took a short time to have a regular meeting. Of course, we honored the latest members to obtain their yearly recertification. Patricia Coombs attained both her initial certification as a new member and her additional yearly certification!
Congratulations on receiving your 2023 pins! Patricia Coombs, Carolyn Henderson (who presented the pins), Janice Johnson, and Debra Sorensen.
After our meeting, I took pictures of the members of each of our past training classes who were at the gathering. That was a lot of fun, and it was so good to see the legacy of our chapter as it continues. Click on any picture to enlarge it.
2008: Paul Unger, Don Travis, Mike Mitchell, Ann Collins, Phyllis Shuffield, and Sandra Dworaczyk2009: Pamela Neeley, Janice Johnson, Lolly Lewis, Cindy Travis, Dorothy Mayer, Kim Summers2010: Donna Lewis and Jackie Thornton2012: Sherry Colley, John Pruett, Linda Jo Conn, Jan Unger2016: Scott Berger and Lisa Milewski2018: Sue Ann Kendall, Catherine Johnson, Liz Lewis2020: Marian Buegeler, Connie Anderle, Alan Rudd, Eric Neubauer, Carolyn Henderson, Debra Sorensen2022: Gene Rek, Cindy Rek, Michelle Lopez, and Linda Burgess2023: Ellen Luckey, Neil Wettstein, Patricia Coombs
Interested in learning all about the nature in Texas? Let us know and we’ll contact you about our next training class. Visitors are always welcome at our monthly meetings, and you can become a Friend of El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist if you attend more than two meetings and intend to take the next class. Join us!
Nature Along the El Camino Real 