Nature Along the El Camino Real
Blog of the El Camino Real Chapter, Texas Master Naturalists, Milam County, Texas
by Donna Lewis
Hi all,
Not many colorful mushrooms in our woods right now, but I found these little beauties…
I don’t know what they are, but I certainly wouldn’t eat any of them.
It’s always interesting to see what Mother Nature has growing outside for us to see.
Mother Nature gardens for us.
by Donna Lewis
Hello all! As usual, I walked around this week looking at nature on our property. I was in our small, wooded area looking for tracks of various animals. I noticed small bits of leaves moving. Upon closer inspection I saw that the leaves were being carried by Leaf Cutter Ants. I watched them for a while because they were so interesting and amazing.
You have to be paying attention to notice such activity.
These ants are one of the strongest living things for their size. There are about 40 different species of them. The members in the colony who are responsible for actually cutting the leaves have jaws like chainsaws!
Each ant can carry up to 50 times its own body weight. I’d say that’s Olympic medal weight lifting. Their colonies are huge. Each one can house up to 10 million ants.
Another interesting fact is that the ants do not eat the leaves. They make a fungus from them and eat the fungus. Pretty amazing.
These little animals are not too popular with farmers. They strip leaves from plants humans like. But you have to give it to them, they are very resourceful.
They know who they are gardening for.
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.
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.
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.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 