Tag: Michelle Lopez

An April Evening at Twisted Creek Ranch

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

April 13 brought one of those evenings that reminds me exactly why we chose this land and why I love being a Texas Master Naturalist.

Oscar and I were out working on a fencing project as the light began to fade—the kind of work that keeps your hands busy but lets your ears stay open to everything happening around you. And that’s when I heard it—the unmistakable, rhythmic call of a Chuck-will’s-widow.

Merlin Bird ID

There’s something special about recognizing a bird by sound before anything else. I paused, listened again, and smiled. Just to be sure, I opened the Merlin Bird ID app, and within moments it confirmed what I already knew. The call carried through the evening air—steady, familiar, and right on time for spring in Central Texas.

As we continued working along the fence line, another sound cut through the dusk—a sharp, unmistakable “skeow!” Then another in response. Two Green Heron were calling back and forth across the road. Even without reaching for my phone, I knew exactly what I was hearing. It felt like listening in on a quiet conversation between neighbors along the water.

After we wrapped up and made our way back to the garage, the evening still wasn’t done with us.

As we sat there, a small animal casually walked toward the garage opening, paused when it saw us, and just as quickly turned around and disappeared into the night. What I caught was enough—a small body, mostly white with broken black streaks, and later, just the tip of a fluffy pale tail slipping out of view.

A departing Eastern Spotted Skunk

I’ve smelled skunk around the house recently, so I had a suspicion something was visiting, but seeing one in person was something else entirely. It was quick, quiet, and surprisingly beautiful. One of those fleeting wildlife moments where you barely have time to react before it’s gone.

That single evening gave us a perfect snapshot of what healthy habitat looks like:

  • A nocturnal bird calling from the woods
  • Wading birds communicating along the water
  • A small native mammal moving confidently through its territory

All layered together at dusk.

Out here at Twisted Creek Ranch, these moments don’t feel rare—they feel like rewards for paying attention.

And sometimes, even when you miss the photo, you still catch exactly what matters.

(I was able to get the tip of the skunk’s tail!)

Milam County Bats

Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall2 Comments

By Carolyn Henderson

The bats are in residence in a strip mall here in Cameron. I believe they are Mexican Free Tails. Every evening around 6:30 pm they exit their abode in search of the evening meal. I’m unsure where they get their water. 

The still shot is of a bar that appears to have gotten a leg stuck in the sign panels. It survived there for at least three days. Unfortunately. I couldn’t get it loose. 

Postcript

At our March chapter meeting, Michelle Lopez shared the results of our Milam County bat monitoring project from last year. In addition to Mexican free-tail bats, we have Tri-colored bats (these are rare), evening bats, big brown bats, and eastern red bats. Nine sites were monitored for a week each. Michelle spent countless hours analyzing the sound files.

Evening bat. Photo by David Armour

A Gray Cardinal? Discovering the Pyrrhuloxia at Twisted Creek Ranch

Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall2 Comments

by Michelle Lopez

The first time I saw it, I knew immediately it wasn’t a Northern Cardinal.

At a glance, it had that familiar cardinal shape, but something was different—more gray overall, with muted red highlights and none of the bold black around the bill. At the time, I didn’t know exactly what to look for, only that my eyes were telling me this was something else.

Later, as I learned more about the Pyrrhuloxia, one detail stood out: the beak. Unlike a cardinal’s thick, conical bill, the Pyrrhuloxia has a distinctly curved, almost parrot-like yellow beak. Once I knew that, everything clicked.

Not long after, I saw the bird again near the pond at Twisted Creek Ranch. This time, I was ready. The curved beak was unmistakable. As if on cue, the Merlin Bird ID app also picked up its call, confirming what I already felt deep down—I hadn’t been mistaken.

The Pyrrhuloxia, sometimes called the “Desert Cardinal,” is far less common in Central Texas than its bright red cousin. Seeing one is a reminder of why slowing down and paying attention matters. Sometimes it’s not about bold colors, but subtle differences—the shape of a beak, a softer call, or that quiet inner nudge that says, this bird is special.

Moments like this are exactly why I love living and observing nature here. Every season brings the possibility of something unexpected, and every observation deepens my connection to this land.

Keep watching. Keep listening. Nature always has more to reveal.

Did You Know?

  • The Pyrrhuloxia’s curved beak is specially adapted for cracking hard seeds, especially those found in arid and semi-arid landscapes.
  • Though often called the “Desert Cardinal,” Pyrrhuloxias are actually a separate species and lack the cardinal’s bold black facial mask.
  • Females are even more subtle than males, appearing mostly gray with faint red accents, making them easy to overlook.
  • Pyrrhuloxias are most commonly found in thorny brush, mesquite, and scrub habitats, which makes sightings in Central Texas especially exciting.
  • Their song is softer and less musical than a Northern Cardinal’s—another reason apps like Merlin can be helpful for confirmation.

Pepper Pot Mushroom: A Rare First for Milam County

Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall1 Comment

by Michelle Lopez

Sometimes the most extraordinary discoveries happen quietly—right under our feet.

While exploring Twisted Creek Ranch, I came across an unfamiliar mushroom growing beneath a mix of native trees. At first glance, it didn’t resemble the common fungi we see after rains. Its clustered form and unusual structure immediately stood out, prompting a deeper look and documentation.

After careful observation, photo documentation, and consultation, the mushroom was identified as the Pepper Pot mushroom—a species with only around 820 documented sightings worldwide. Even more exciting, this appears to be the first recorded sighting in Milam County, Texas.

Why This Find Matters

Pepper Pot mushrooms are not just rare; they are indicators of something larger. Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems—breaking down organic matter, recycling nutrients, and supporting soil health. The presence of such a rarely documented species suggests a healthy, functioning habitat with intact ecological relationships.

Twisted Creek Ranch is a National Wildlife Federation–certified wildlife habitat, and discoveries like this reinforce the importance of preserving native landscapes. Undisturbed leaf litter, mature trees, and minimal chemical inputs all create the conditions fungi need to thrive—but that are increasingly hard to find.

The Value of Paying Attention

This find is a reminder of how much there still is to discover, even in places we walk every day. Fungi often go unnoticed, emerging briefly and disappearing just as quickly. Without slowing down, looking closely, and being curious, moments like this are easy to miss.

As Master Naturalists, documenting these occurrences—especially rare ones—is invaluable. Each observation adds to our collective understanding of species distribution and habitat health.

I’ve included photos from the original discovery to help document this sighting and to encourage others to keep their eyes on the forest floor. You never know when your next walk might turn into a county first—or even a global rarity.

Discoveries like this are why I’ll always advocate for leaving the leaves, protecting native spaces, and staying curious.

The Third Time’s the Charm: A Rare Mushroom Find in Texas

Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall2 Comments

by Michelle Lopez

I was standing behind the barn the other day, not looking for anything in particular, when I happened to glance down at an old board on the ground. Growing right out of it was a small, unassuming mushroom—one of those moments where something ordinary suddenly asks you to pay closer attention.

Of course, I did what any curious naturalist would do: I took a photo and uploaded it to iNaturalist.

That’s when the surprise came.

The mushroom turned out to be Pleuroflammula tuberculosa, a species with only 527 documented observations worldwide—and just two prior sightings in the entire state of Texas. Mine became the third.

Finding something so rare without intentionally searching for it feels like a quiet gift from the land. It’s a reminder that nature doesn’t always announce itself with fanfare. Sometimes it waits patiently for us to slow down, look down, and notice what’s right at our feet.

Moments like this are why I love spending time outdoors. Nature never disappoints. There is always something interesting happening—fungi recycling old wood, birds passing through unseen, insects going about their lives—if we’re willing to stop and observe.

Who knows how many rare, beautiful, or important things we walk past every day without realizing it? This little mushroom was a good reminder to keep my eyes open and my curiosity alive.