Exploring the Wild Destined to Become Wilder

There is a way that nature speaks, 

that land speaks. 

Most of the time 

we are simply not patient enough, 

quiet enough, 

to pay attention to the story.

–Linda Hogan

More ducks flying.

We are starting almost at the beginning of the story. I've a new friend who is engaged in the task of returning land to nature. 

I've written and rewritten that last sentence multiple times and I'm not sure I will ever find the precise words for what they (my friend and her husband) envision. Once part of the Blackland Prairie, this land has been a homestead for many years. And, while it has been under cultivation (hay/coastal bermuda grass) for grazing (cattle and horses), and is still pretty wild in places, the true prairie nature is gone. 

The cows ween't much amused by our traipsing through their field.

So there are many questions. How do you restore the prairie? Can you? Where do you start? Is there anything here to save? [And many more...] My friend has been doing her homework and a good deal of "work-work." There are brush piles and new plantings evident.

A couple of lovely horses were helping remove some of the invasives.

For today we were just planning to walk the land and see what winter birds might be hiding in the branches. We saw: goldfinches, Meadowlarks, Easter Bluebirds, mockingbirds, vultures, Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, kinglets, phoebes, kestrels, doves, starlings, and cardinals.We heard blue jays and woodpeckers along the river (We heard innumerable un-identified others as we barely know a little brown bird when we see it - recognizing many calls is still a bit beyond us). We did hear a hawk in the woods by the meadow. I'm thinking Red-tailed. I do know those. 

Eastern Bluebird

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Eastern Phoebe

Wildflowers teased us  - many roundels were coming up. The tiny bluebonnets seemed to whisper, "soon, soon!" from many locations. This wet winter has set up our area for a rich and colorful spring. Spring will be a big test of just what might be here. So many plants will be easier to identify with blooms. And some of the invasive species will also start to disclose their presence. The Chinaberry and Bastard Cabbage are pretty obvious - what else is here?

Bluebonnets will be blooming before we know it.

The tiny overlooked flowers have become an obsession. Corn Gromwell?

Tiny Bluet

We had talked about butterflies and while none showed themselves we discovered two pods of milkweed, seeds showing in one and the other a riot of seeds and the soft, fluffy, filaments broken loose from the pod. It was a sign. Well, at least it was an indication that there may be more native species here than they first expected. 

I'm told this is Asclepias asperula or A. viridi. This pod was just cracking.

This second seed pod was open and spilling seeds out so the wind could get to work.

Anyway, we are witnessing almost the beginning of the restoration and it is exciting to hear the plans and imagine what will come. We walked through the field and the meadow and along the the river. We gazed at the pond as a few mallards, startled, flew off to other nearby ponds. We imagined what sounds we might hear from the banks when the weather warms and the common species of frogs and toads (at least the ones we know to be in our county) begin their courting songs.

The Leon River

This is a special place. There is magic here. There is more - planning and hard work, yes - but also magic to come. 

What a gift to be here at almost the beginning.

Jack welcomed Zelda and showed her around. They made sure the dangerous birds, cows, and such stayed away.

NOTES:

Blackland Prairie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_blackland_prairies

Prairie Restoration - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairie_restoration

Milkweed Seed Processing - https://medium.com/conservation-service-in-action/how-we-collect-and-process-milkweed-seeds-for-monarchs-f6b5e899d878 We didn't find this much!

A neighbor curious about our group.

"What? I'll be right there! I'm playing!"

ZZZZZZZZZZ!

Bob Was NOT Amused

 A cold wind was blowing from the north, 

and it made the trees rustle like living things.
~ George R.R. Martin

The park was deserted - mostly, but we walked on. At times it seemed a little spooky - the sound of the wind a growl just before the cold, cold whoosh hit.

A few birds struggled against the wind and we headed to shelter against a wall when we saw Bob (we call him Bob because he has a "bobbed" tail). Bob the cat hangs out on the north side of our park walks - in and around the old church building. Today Bob was already sheltering against a limestone wall. He didn't seem to want to share the spot with us.

Bob was not amused.

Bob watching from the sheltered area

As we started to take shelter,  we got this look. Then he headed out for a different shelter.

It was almost too cold to pay attention. My face was frozen, my hands were numb, and Zelda's hair was blown flat against her head.

One runner came through. A young couple showed up to run their dogs (they waited to remove the leashes until Z was in the car). A patrol car drove into the park.

Other than those folks we were alone. A few wild birds and the "resident" ducks and geese huddled in spots sheltered from the wind or in places the early morning sun was warming. Very few photos were possible:

Crows near the parking area

A starling peeking out of the church.

House Sparrows at the fountain in Yettie Polk.

House Finches fluttered all around some shrubs at the edge of YPP.

Another finch

House Finches

I'm surprised we could even see these sweet birds as they were the color of the tangled branches.

Yellow-rumped Warbler in Harris Community Park - it wasn't alone, but they were hopping around in the sunlight, blurring the photos.

But the catch of the day was Bob. We've never been this close to him before. And he's a honey of a cat. What a face!

Don't mess with Bob!

NOTES:

I saw no herons or kingfishers or hawks. And I did not hang around to wait for them. We scooted home to warm up.

And on the 9th Day, the Heron Returned

Whatever pearl you seek,

look for the pearl within the pearl.

~Rumi

These parks are like a string of pearls. While they have history - like so many other places in the south, it's not heartwarming - these three gems along Nolan Creek now connect communities and people. Parts are developed and polished just enough for safe community use. Much remains wild-ish along the banks of the creek.

How could you not love this park?

 We usually from one to another along the hike and bike trail (I have only recently realized that was the correct name for the wide concrete sidewalk) greeting the dog walkers/runners and the saunterers - like us.  Then we walk back. I hear rumors that more pearls will be added, but that is not our concern today.

Today we gathered  - three women and two dogs. We talked about plans for the day and the rest of the week. We watched for the hawks and herons (the last heron - a Great Blue has been missing the last couple of days). I was determined to take some photos as I was so woefully unprepared yesterday (equipment failure because of operator error)...if only the birds would cooperate.

My companions

My friends and I were dazzled by the Red-shouldered Hawks. I see movement and shapes. VM sees color. She picked out both hawks - one on the park side and one across the creek. She is amazing. SC certainly has an eye for photography. Each day she captures in one shot the whole story of the walk.

Red-shouldered Hawk No. 1

Red-shouldered Hawk No. 2

No. 2 was in this tree across the creek. If you don't see it, don't fret. I didn't see it either. The camera did after VM told it where to focus.

The Osprey we saw yesterday had stayed along the creek allowing us the opportunity to watch it fly track the creek - fishing we decided. At one point we were within 20 or so feet as it flew past the elevated part of the trail...stunning.

The Osprey hovered a couple of times and seemed to miss one perch.

It flew past us and we were afraid it was done.

You can just see it flying off here. But it had not gone far. VM spied it at the edge of the creek.

It may be time to make a list of what we have observed here.

At the far end of our walk a Belted Kingfisher showed its stuff.

It flew to a utility wire facing upstream. I was trying to take a photo when it "took a dive." We thought it was gone, but it just changed position on the wire.

Now it was looking downstream. It glanced to the right.

And then to the left.  It continued to call and fish as we headed back to our vehicles.

My companions left before me. They had schedules and I wanted to see if I could find some of the smaller birds. The Cedar Waxwings and Goldfinches must be late sleepers. They showed up en masse.

One of the four bridges we see here. This is the oldest - graceful in it's ratty-old-self.

 

Oh, and the Great Blue Heron, missing for a few days, showed up under the Penelope Street Bridge.

Watching for fish.

I think this is the one that had injured it's wing - there is a similar mark.

Yes, we found pearls within the pearls. But then we always do. Here are some:

There were loads of crows today.

We saw "the boyfriend" with the other ferals (where the cats are fed by the bird lady - I think she'd feed me if she thought I was hungry).

We haven't seen all of the cats in a while.

Zelda and I walked to the footbridge and, surprise, saw yet another hawk. See - it's a little wild along the creek.

Hawk No. 3  was hard to see, but I had watched it fly up from the floor of the woods.

I know, I know. I hate squirrels too. But look at this cutie eating breakfast.

Some of the domestic fowl that hang out here. I took this photo for SC. She likes these crazy geese.

We are not sure why this camera crew was in the park. Student film, maybe?

Most of the time these guys are no cooperative.

Cedar Waxwings are such alien-looking birds.

They were very skittish...flying in and out. I just took the shots I could and hoped for the best.

They filled multiple treetops. I guess I should have estimated how many there were in the flock. Let's say 150 to 200 birds.

This is what they look like flying - not like their alien-selves.

 

There's always something to see. Always. So come on and find your park!