November 2023 – Nature Along the El Camino Real

Great Weather for Nature Days

November 24, 2023November 26, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

The weather turned out great for everyone at Nature Days this year. Guests took home native plants and nature gifts.

As usual, the best part was getting to know people from distant towns including Dallas, Centerville, and McAllen, as well as neighbors from Hutto, Sommerville, and College Station.

This first day, we met with some Master Gardeners. Stay tuned for the next Nature Days blog.

Here are some of the beautiful plants we have been seeing in this late fall time.

We apologize that all the photos didn’t appear when the post initially went up. There was an internet issue, and also the photos were in high definition, so they were very large. We’re all learning here, so sometimes things mess up!

A Misty Morning

November 14, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Donna Lewis

Sunday, November 12

Yes, it’s misting and chilly outside this morning. The trees love it.

The holidays are close and there is excitement in the air.

There are also some little gems still out in the garden that are so beautiful. Soon, they too will slip slowly into their winter nap.

Here are some of the gems: a Snailseed vine, a water bowl for the dragonflies, raindrops on a pipevine, a Pink Salvia, a Mexican Petunia, some Yellow Bells, and a rare Salamander.

Go outside and find all the treasures of Mother Nature. She is always there for us to see, and make us feel better.

Remember who you garden for.

Butterflies Are Still Laying Eggs in November

November 8, 2023November 14, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Donna Lewis

The butterflies are still laying eggs and producing caterpillars here in November in Central Texas.

On my Passion Vine are Variegated Fritillary and Gulf Coast Fritillary caterpillars. The Gulf Fritillaries are more Orange, while the Variegated species is tan with spots along the bottom of its wings. They both use the Passion Vine as their host plant.

I also have Pipevine caterpillars on the Pipevine plant.

Tons of activity because of the temperate weather right now.

Better get a move on, winter is coming.

Know who you are gardening for.

All Things Wild Skunk Program

November 7, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Chapter members Patricia and Ellen attended a Skunk program at All Things Wild and learned many facts about skunks.

They also got to pet Daffodil, an Ambassador animal. The folks at All Things Wild had tried to release Daffodil many times, but she kept returning.

Texas has five species of skunks, more than any other state. They range from 1 to 18 pounds. The Striped skunk is the most common.

The program included information about their life cycle, what they eat, and how they are cared for and released from ATW.

Skunks can spray ten feet and have only one predator, the Great Horned Owl. That’s because the owls can not smell the skunks.

It is illegal to own a skunk as a pet in Texas.

All Things Wild will have an Opossum program December 9. Sign up early.

Wildscape Awash in Butterflies

November 6, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Carolyn Henderson

Butterflies were feasting on the abundance of blooming plants Saturday during the annual El Camino Real chapter Texas Master Naturalist Nature Days.

We did have a nice number of people, but we were overwhelmed by butterflies and bees. I got photos of nine different butterflies and a few more types were seen by members. We saw one emerging from its chrysalis, but most were gorging on the many, many different blooms.

I wasn’t the only photographer. A teenage girl was also taking many photographs. Her younger sister was collecting blooms.

If you’d like to see the many butterflies, bees, grasshoppers and blooms, Nature Days continues Saturday, November 11, from 10 am to noon. It’s located at the Bird and Bee Farm at 1369 County Road 334, Rockdale, TX 76567.