Tag: Carolyn Henderson

Chasing Butterflies

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Carolyn Henderson


At just after noon on Saturday, I was standing on my patio when a Monarch butterfly flew by very close to me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a camera to get a photo of it, but I probably wouldn’t have gotten it anyway. It flew straight by into my neighbor’s back yard. It did, however, inspire me to go chasing them.

I go to the Little River Basin Texas Master Gardeners Triangle Garden seasonally to take pictures of pollinators, and I usually see Monarchs, and many other types of butterflies, there. So I took my camera to see what I could see.

I found huge Giant Swallowtails eating from abundant Zinnias. The Fritillarys, both Gulf and Variegated, also were fond of the flowers. So was a Bold Jumping Spider that seemed to be after the Variegated Fritillary. I also found Gulf Fritillary on Tropical Sage. I am unsure if the Giant Swallowtails are Eastern or Western variety. iNaturalist thinks they are Western, but Eastern are more common here.

Giant Swallowtail
Queen (mating)
Bordered Patch
Variegated Ftitillary

One of my favorite butterflies is Queens. They were abundant on Gregg’s Mist. I can always find them on this plant. They also were mating. I’ve seen more of them there, but it may be early in the migration. Bordered Patch and Fiery Skippers also were enjoying the Gregg’s Mist.
What is not there, at least yet, are Monarchs nor Pipevine Swallowtails. The Flame Acanthas and Tropical Sage and Gregg’s Mist are ready for them. So is the cat in residence (see photo).

Skipper
Mantid
Gulf Fritillary
Feline Observer

I also found a few others at my house. My yard is inundated with Hackberry Emperors, and some Clouded Skippers are hanging out there. So are Carolina (or Arizona?) Praying Mantis and Spinybacked Orbweavers with an elaborate web, and grasshoppers that were abundant at the triangle garden, too. I also had a hummingbird that was interested in the Texas Purple Sage at my house.

Black–chinned Hummingbird

The iNaturalist fall project to submit as many pollinators as you can find is coming up in October. If you are participating, you might want to try the El Camino Real Wildscape which is usually full of butterflies in October – including Monarchs. Or, you also can try the Triangle Garden.

Spinybacked Orbweaver and web

The Cutest Ducklings

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Carolyn Henderson

A few days ago, I was observing birds at Orchard Park in Cameron, when the juveniles of the resident family of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks decided to show off their synchronized swimming skills. One wasn’t quite as synchronized as the rest! This gave me a good laugh.

The duck parents were nearby watching the shenanigans. These beautiful and interesting ducks (they roost in trees) are great parents, as all ducks tend to be.

4H Presentation

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Carolyn Henderson

A few members of El Camino Real chapter Texas Master Naturalist presented a program on butterflies to some 4H members on Friday, June 28. The 4H program was having a summer day camp and offered the chapter the opportunity to speak with the children. Debra Sorenson, Carolyn Henderson, Liz Lewis and Pamela Neeley presented the program on helping pollinators do their thing. 

El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist Take Historic Tour

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Carolyn Henderson

The El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist took a trip Saturday to a major Texas historical site and got a side of beautiful nature along with it. The tour of Washington on the Brazos was both informative and beautiful. 

Master Naturalists under pecan tree
Group photo in front of famous pecan tree, including Master Naturalists and friends

The Texas Historical Commission has taken over management of the state park and is doing some major renovation on the facilities. The museum manager led the group through a lesson in the most major event in Texas history, and added information on how nature played a role in the events at the site. Sam Houston and delegates from every major city in Texas at the time met there to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. The site was the capitol of Texas for several years, too. Lack of a railroad did it in in favor of Austin. 

There is currently an archeological dig that will be made visible to visitors once it’s complete. Several buildings have been reconstructed based on descriptions by visitors there to sign the declaration. The only original structure left from the 1830s is a water well. It was built with stone. The park sits on the Brazos River, which is why it was chosen to be the meeting site. At the time there was a ferry running to the site. There are also some paving bricks left from the original town. Nature took its toll on the main path to the river, and washed it out and away eventually. Another original, and somewhat old structure is still there, too. It is the pillars that marked the entrance to the original park. They are going to serve as the entryway into the archeological dig for visitors. 

The grounds, which have grown over the years, have been given over to nature. They are covered in native grasses, wildflowers and trees. The commission has to replant only the  state flower – Texas Bluebonnets – because people trample them while taking their pictures in them which disrupts the  natural reseeding. All the others manage to come back on their own. 

wildflowers
Wildflowers, mostly Indian blanket and black-eyed Susans.

There is a particularly notable Pecan tree on the grounds near the river (see photo above). It is the oldest documented pecan tree in the state of Texas. The delegates met under it during the 17 days it took to get the declaration written and signed. Ironically, it was discovered recently that it is not a native Texas pecan tree. Scientist ran DNA tests on it and discovered it originated in northern Mexico. It is assumed it came with early settlers from Mexico or perhaps missionaries that came up from Mexico sometime well before 1836. It was a pretty good size by then. If you go to the web site for Washington on the Brazos, you can order saplings from the tree. Costs for it are used by the commission to renovate the facilities. 

wildflowers
Drummond’s phlox, clasping coneflower, and Engelmann daisies.

Catherine Johnson, organizer of the trip, organized a picnic under the pavilions to round out the trip. It is a trip worth taking, especially if you take a side trip to Independence, Texas nearby.