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!