Nature Along the El Camino Real
Blog of the El Camino Real Chapter, Texas Master Naturalists, Milam County, Texas
By Catherine Johnson
If you want to visit the wildscape, if you do not go before 6am or after 6pm, be prepared to faint at the Wildscape. We made a quick trip there recently to help Terri B dig up natives to be transplanted at Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary. Gary Johnson volunteered help.
The hard-to-find chocolate daisies are blooming and smell – like chocolate.
By Linda Burgess
Our Master Naturalist table had a many visitors on the 4th of July in downtown Cameron. We had lots of interest in the classes that will start in January. We also gave away lots of native wildflower seeds and promoted our Milam Seed Library at the Cameron Public Library.
My granddaughter and Alan even had some fun with waterguns!🤣It was a great event and thanks to all who manned our table…. a big team effort on a very hot day!
by Catherine Johnson
The heat and weeds are a challenge at the Wildscape now.
Patricia and Rosie accomplished some chores as have the Reks.
When it is cool, more natives will be planted and next year will see a lot of blooms. Birds are enjoying the Wildscape and have been raising their young in mailboxes, bee hotels and native trees. Kim and I recently spent a windy afternoon moving sprinklers and relaxing with sweet drinks, cake and Fritos!
by Carolyn Henderson
While my crew was out putting up the Bat Acoustic device Friday, I stumbled across an iNaturalist’s heaven. The pasture was covered in wildflowers – and all the butterflies, bees and other flying insects in Central Texas, it seemed.
Chad Cryer and Teri Brickey had gone to explore the Little River, while I took pictures. I found two species that I had never seen before Friday. And I found a Texas Vervain that was five feet tall. The height seemed to throw off the identification for it on iNat. I was pretty sure it was a vervain, but iNat was unsure. Luckily, Linda Jo Conn verified it for me.
by Catherine Johnson
Chapter members’ work is paying off with blooms in the new barrels with signage.
The budget approved by H-E-B included funds for last minute strenuous labor which Mitchell Henderson has been doing. He has been shoveling gravel and landscaping the upper pathway for easy access and greatly reduced weeding.
New construction will enable people to get close to Pollinators and native plants they are connected to.
The Pollinators for Texas project is a collaborative effort with H-E-B and the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Program focused on enhancing native pollinator conservation across the state by promoting awareness, conservation efforts and creating sustainable pollinator environments. The initiative aims to engage communities in supporting pollinator-friendly practices through funding TMN chapter-led projects and programs.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 