It was chilly and misting on this month’s Wildscape workday. If you were wearing the right clothing, the weather was refreshing.
Amazing workers showed up and accomplished all chores for this month. Neil cleared Rock Rose from around the frog pond, Carolyn removed the Cypress vines from the arch where most want the Malabar Spinach to be again. Kim and Patricia pruned bushes and hauled away debris as Debra was again an expert pruner of the Gulf Muhly and other grasses. New student, Terri tackled plants including Sage and Passion vines. We all cut down the Turk’s cap.
The mighty workers.
Most plants, bushes and trees are leafing out just in time for the next freeze.
A male Painted Bunting, a Rat Snake in the trees, an Inca Dove, Cardinals on feeders, Pipevine Butterfly, Ruby-throat Hummer on feeder, Swallowtail Butterfly, and Mr. and Mrs. Bunny eating the bird seed.
Last Monday our chapter hosted a welcome celebration! Can you believe our Milam Wildscape is five years old now? Just think of how many hours of volunteer work have gone into making the Wildscape the sanctuary it’s become, and think how many people have been inspired to go home and start their own little wildscape!
El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist Chapter members at the celebration.
Twenty-two people attended, as reported by Wildscape founder Catherine Johnson. After food, drinks, and welcome ice cream (it was hot), the attendees met around the fountain at the Wildscape, where they learned inforrmation about the Sturgeon Super Blue Moon that was rising later in the evening.
Enjoying snacks
Those who have worked so hard on the Wildscape received recognition for their amazing contributions to the project, and everyone got goody bags and light-up star necklaces, perfect for the occasion.
Catherine Johnson receiving a certificate of appreciation from Carolyn Henderson, Chapter President.Happy with her certificateCathy giving her presentationLook at all those goodies.The turkeys also seemed to enjoy themselvesSome of the beautiful sights at the wildscape
The next part of the evening focused on our birding station, where its permanent name, Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary, was announced by Ann Collins. I was honored to have one of my suggestions chosen for the name. Ann shared her thoughts, which are reprinted below, and showed off the extensive additions to the site that the Wild Wings team have been creating.
The big reveal!Bird bath and feederSo many bird feedersGreat job, Ann!The raised beds make good seatsYes, it was hot.The Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary Dedication
After the dedication of the bird sanctuary, the attendees returned to the Wildscape, visited, and watched the beautiful moon come up.
The beautiful moon.
Thank you to Pamela Neeley, Janice Johnson, and Rosie Johnson, and Linda Burgess for photos.
Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary Dedication Remarks by Ann Collins
Four years ago, Gene Rek, Cindy Rek, and I began exploring the possibiity of creating a bird station at Bird and Bee Farm. Unfortunately, I had a very unscheduled emergency brain surgery. Needless to say, lots of things got put on the back burner! We did choose an absolutely gorgeous spot for the station.
Well, four years passed and we revisited the idea and had another look at the site. then Gene, Mr. Energy, got to work while I fell and broke my wrist, which was another setback for me, but it didn’t stop Gene. Lnda Jo Conn things I arrange my setbacks so othre people will step in to do my work. Maybe so, but folks did get excited and got to work for me!
Gene made a road to the site, ran a water line for a water source, built a fence, mowed, set up raised beds for native plants, and all sorts of other things that I couldn’t have done anyway! Catherine Johnson searched tirelessly online for benches for lounging while birding, and she found the most adorable vintage bench, rocker, and table. She got them cleaned up and installed. Thank goodness they are somewhat hidden away or I fear they might be stolen, they are that cute! And we got a birdbath “pilfered” from Rose’s garden (named after Gene’s mom), which is a favorite target of the cows, who knock it over.
Suna Kendall contributed a couple of bird feeders and has spent quite a bit of time canvassing the birds. She’s a kind of a computer nerd and knows her way around them. I’m more of a luddite myself, but I greatly admire her skill. She is putting a bird list on our blog for each month. Check it out, and check out our new web page chronicalling our activities!
(You are welcome to share any cool birds you observe – Suna)
We acquired several benches and chairs from Marketplace for the Wildscape and delivered them at noon, which is not as hot as later in the day. Many pollinators were flying around, including hummers.
Kim Summers and I went back late evening to water and stayed until 8:00 pm, resting by the big fountain in the shade, while Cindy Rek told us about the Rio Grande Turkeys being delivered to Bird and Bee Farm, where our projects are located.
Pictured are the new pathways in the birding station that Gene Rek has been working on. We also placed 100-year-old furniture in the Bird Station, which Ann Collins chose.
Pictures also show new beds, which will allow native birds to enjoy plants that are watered by a drip system.
We are excited to be viewing all at our full moon Wildscape Celebration later this month: Monday, August 19, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Guests are welcome.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 