Richard Blanton

And here is the old growth section of the preserve. One of the trees in the background was maybe 30 feet tall and you can barely find another example in my 4 county area bigger than eye level.

Another picture from Southmost Preserve. This one looking back at the trail we drove through to get to the Old Growth section of the property.

Coming back from my mailbox yesterday I was blessed with a wonderful display of gulls/terns circling overhead. No sooner did I cut the video they collected themselves and banked off to go about their merry way.

#bird 🪶

Here’s a more close up view of just one row of the plants getting started at Southmost Preserve in Brownsville, TX. Remember, this work is mostly done by one person! Astounding!

Last week I had the privilege of visiting Southmost Preserve, a Nature Conservancy operation normally closed to the public. We started by reviewing their growing area where they supply the government and other clients native plants for reforestation. Most of this work is done by 1 person!!

A friend of mine posted a picture of a local garden that has a mix of natives and non-natives, but I have to say that this is the design ethic that native gardens should shoot for. Not overly formal but a symbol to neighbors that it is intentional as not to call municipal leaders to rip it up.

Today’s post is simply RIP Jane Goodall.

Got to visit my favorite park in Matamoros last night. Mexico is very unique in that you can see the extremes of urbanization. Cities like this are mostly concrete and have almost no natural areas but in the rural interior you see some of the most pristine habitat in the world. ❤️ the Egret.
#bird 🪶

Regarding yesterday’s flyover, here’s a good resource for Raptor identification.

#bird 🪶

Walking back from my mailbox I noticed all of our resident pigeons acting very skittish. Wasn’t really sure what was up until I noticed what I believe to be a Broad-winged Hawk soaring above. Better to be safe than sorry I suppose. 😆

#bird 🪶

My car is in the shop and I’m missing the return of our monthly Native Plant Project meetings tonight. There also is a Jacana, which would be a life bird, at a local Wildlife Refuge. Waiting to get my car back is frustrating but this shall pass. Was nice seeing this rainbow on Sunday night.

Went to check my mail and this duckling was all that arrived save an electric bill. Hope this little fella reunites with his family.

#bird 🪶

Saw this Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp while cleaning up part of my porch last week. My native plants are bringing all the bugs to the yard.

Yesterday I spent my lunch break outside walking a vacant lot behind my apartment. Among a number of Palo Verde trees that have really taken off over the last few months was this Southern Annual Saltmarsh Aster. Absolutely beautiful plant. So glad I took some outdoor time.

Thinking about the White-tailed Kite that spent the better part of a summer a couple years ago hunting consistently in a vacant lot behind my apartment. It was a source of excitement and wonder for many days. I wonder where it frequents these days.

#bird 🪶

One of the best things about nature is that it can be a source of recognition that you are but a small cog in a large world. If more of us lived with the adequate level of humility this engenders, we would all be better for it.

Someone that has “Jack of all trades, master of none” in their profile must have varied interests, and indeed I do. One area that intersects my love for nature is my love for art. Today, I received the latest in a series called “Fat Birds.” If you like art, check the starter pack in my profile.

One has to wonder if they ever get a strong blow from a straw and think, “Man, I gotta wriggle free and ride this north wind before it dies down!”

When I volunteered on the Appalachian Trail to assist with bird banding, views like this on the way up were not uncommon. As fall migration starts to ramp up, a tip of the cap 🧢 to everyone managing a station or helping it to run efficiently.

My native milkweed plant, Zizotes Milkweed, is blooming quite nicely. I’m sending out the Bat signal for Monarchs. They should be arriving in a month or so in Deep South Texas. Keeping my fingers crossed.

A side-by-side of a Blue-headed Vireo and a Yellow-throated Vireo. I love the eye spectacle of both species. Maybe because I wear glasses and it’s almost like they do too. #birds 🪶

(Handling of birds done via federal permit.)

New insect on my porch today. No word yet from iNat yet what it is but hopefully someone will chime in over the holiday weekend. This little guy was truckin’ through.

A little story about a caterpillar I found in my apartment followed by what happened after I set it outside. 🦎

Believe it or not, this hairy thing pictured is actually an insect. What insect? I don’t yet know but I am working on an identification. At 1st I thought the thing was moving due to the wind but then I noticed a tongue-like protrusion pulling it along. Really wild!

Was on a cooldown from a late night run Wednesday night and I came across this millipede, Rhysodesmus texicolens. Turns out this species is pretty range restricted. Glad I got a photo and uploaded to iNaturalist.

As expected, my Night-blooming cereus did indeed bloom twice over last night. It was really beautiful but it is a one night only happening. It might be next year until I see it in bloom again.

I’m only days (or should I say nights) away from my favorite blooms occurring. This is a Night-blooming cereus cactus. This bloom will occur at night (as the name implies) and will be but for one evening. However, it is a brilliant, white flower. Looking forward to it welcoming me after a night run.

Nothing better than a native volunteer plant species. This Scarlet Sage wasn’t planted in this pot. It just bounced over from another pot. This has happened multiple times, in multiple different pots. Even better is that this will on occasion attract hummingbirds.

Motus Wildlife Tracking System - Explore Data Explore the tracks of all the animals in our database using this tool.

I previously described how important Motus tracking is some months ago. Recently, I found an interesting entry that shows a Northern Saw-whet Owl in the LRGV hitting two stations. I question one of the pings though as it seems out of place. Would love to hear from them on what might cause.

This is the one (Rose-breasted Grosbeak). Well that and Northern Cardinal. A fierce bite. If Roy Schieder were a bander, he might say, “we’re going to need a bigger banding table!” A lovely bird nonetheless.

#bird 🪶

(Handling of birds done via Federal permit.)