tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18589558029708472732024-02-19T00:46:39.893-08:00East Texas Piney WoodsThe Woodlands Texas lies in the east Texas forest system. This blog is intended to link our scope of responsibility to its ecology and wildlife therein.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
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to main page</a>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-66707156529860985872012-04-30T12:28:00.000-07:002012-04-30T20:08:24.343-07:00You just happen to be the most beautiful bird in the world<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Bunting at bird sanctuary south of Freeport, Tx - Quintana</td></tr>
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Yes, I am in love with a particular bird species, Painted Bunting <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">(Passerina ciris) </span>that migrates through the Gulf Coast area and includes parts of Southeast Texas in its nesting range. I never see enough of these birds. To see a flock of them together is an outstanding sight for anyone. They tend to be reclusive within a natural habitat, so one may not see them even though they are within a few feet. Notice the eye, a very remarkable feature that ties its breast colors to its eye. Its markings are clear and distinct. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd8d7LJyF0WbulydA9j0bdzbGJTQuH-7SzbBT-pL5NLSoCq80t-iVY5tZqAvwMgAz6_Wmw2F4n6DFpt7TvkJq-KPTzffceIf8UY7dTXB2LWXryvqxwpDz7QAQv-r1MdvGwJSDy_eOzbg/s1600/Apr262012-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd8d7LJyF0WbulydA9j0bdzbGJTQuH-7SzbBT-pL5NLSoCq80t-iVY5tZqAvwMgAz6_Wmw2F4n6DFpt7TvkJq-KPTzffceIf8UY7dTXB2LWXryvqxwpDz7QAQv-r1MdvGwJSDy_eOzbg/s320/Apr262012-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Painted Bunting about to take a bath</td></tr>
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Not an extremely small bird, but not a large either, they are easily seen because of their vivid colors. The beauty of these birds is one reason they are on the decline. It is against the law to take them into captivity, yet people do that because it seems a cheap way to get a pet bird without having to spend the money at the pet store. Their diminishing numbers are probably due mostly to the lack of habitat rather than pet keepers, so we will focus here on what we can do to improve their numbers. Similar reason but very different approach than Bluebirds, many of us would like to improve the bird's chances of survival by providing more habitat. It's habitat has been diminishing for many reasons, mostly caused by man taking it away for farming and community development, but also the coastal prairies which provide a natural habitat are on the decline with heavy infestation by the banned-for-sale Chinese Tallow. This bird loves the prairie grasses. I watched them feed on the grasses in this sanctuary on the coast. They would disappear for an hour in the brush and come out to get a drink now and then.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr_RRGnVH3Ao_E5u7-UKVecY6ozf_Kc162rQiWOmOEdymXoHYv0aov3wzDArXdfxogk8qKWnwkLpl9nTc-JR578DAs0O5zX2M8Sq-Okkcupj69JPnv-E1mwol3hC51_81y9O5j2bPFkE/s1600/Apr262012-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr_RRGnVH3Ao_E5u7-UKVecY6ozf_Kc162rQiWOmOEdymXoHYv0aov3wzDArXdfxogk8qKWnwkLpl9nTc-JR578DAs0O5zX2M8Sq-Okkcupj69JPnv-E1mwol3hC51_81y9O5j2bPFkE/s320/Apr262012-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the edge of a feeding area (behind him)</td></tr>
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A Painted Bunting would come into our yards and perhaps nest if we had brush such as this with seeded grasses and plenty riparian (term to describe insects and seed fit for many species) food. To attract a Painted bunting into your yard, you need food on the ground in brush with plenty of cover for them to hide in, preferably a distance from the house. They will come to feed out of a feeder if kept away from the house, as well. They are particularly attracted to running water, not a drip, but something stronger like a waterfall or running stream.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwGUUyEINkqb1iZsYFlNTO1Npsrx5UwsOa53leBYYvmr-HeaKT6nkTzHlH772CYbFvabh_L34chyphenhyphenkfClFJk1AVCqED-Cpx1pEpXTEKu2kqbIqH_O4y2Sz24NeAwgpR1fM6lyUt5gjiL8/s1600/Apr262012-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwGUUyEINkqb1iZsYFlNTO1Npsrx5UwsOa53leBYYvmr-HeaKT6nkTzHlH772CYbFvabh_L34chyphenhyphenkfClFJk1AVCqED-Cpx1pEpXTEKu2kqbIqH_O4y2Sz24NeAwgpR1fM6lyUt5gjiL8/s320/Apr262012-27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water attraction - fast moving water with calm places to bathe</td></tr>
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The Painted Bunting is a Neo-tropical bird, the generic class of bird indicating it nests in North America but migrates to the tropics for the winter. Not all individuals necessarily do that, but in general, they do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgzGvN1IpBDb9ZidjpsCKMRKGr7SK28Hih0zmXYe5XQXj3TnNHEgR1vhFmYK5e0BRflaajLotvN06mu_OjCiicT4dXrr_tTHtpSj9j2yTtgnxTsV6iPsv3sNKS_XEuBnGAbS6oFLSjXE/s1600/Apr262012-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgzGvN1IpBDb9ZidjpsCKMRKGr7SK28Hih0zmXYe5XQXj3TnNHEgR1vhFmYK5e0BRflaajLotvN06mu_OjCiicT4dXrr_tTHtpSj9j2yTtgnxTsV6iPsv3sNKS_XEuBnGAbS6oFLSjXE/s320/Apr262012-37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy bird was dirty, mama bird came to supervise - sound familiar?</td></tr>
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The female is light green in color and the juvenile is grayish with a tinge of color. They stay together as a mated pair through nesting, fledgling and migration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6KiYuqO5nviDnG3D28j9d3CAJ9CjR8mdH6bPWTJ6hleIH0TuNs6_PvWO2SO2Q9HIxsMYdOee1j67zCtJwpL40Hm5htsThz5NDytFrSwmmmxC7hpmdm3EbVwRoVnqDTS3a1epkOcZLBM/s1600/Apr262012-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6KiYuqO5nviDnG3D28j9d3CAJ9CjR8mdH6bPWTJ6hleIH0TuNs6_PvWO2SO2Q9HIxsMYdOee1j67zCtJwpL40Hm5htsThz5NDytFrSwmmmxC7hpmdm3EbVwRoVnqDTS3a1epkOcZLBM/s320/Apr262012-29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drink and then bathe</td></tr>
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Yaupon is a good native bush to have in your yard for attracting this species, but do not trim the bushes; leave the low growth, because the birds will nest low to the ground. As a result, the nest and feeding areas need plenty of protection from enemies like cats and other predators. Let wildflowers and other plants produce seed in abundance to attract them. You can ground feed by a feeder low to the ground or on the ground in a private, bushy area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-c95jQLoLQOply6Kd15kAXJ24xXmoOVofx72tH2EJ0oehm_SaHzQjQ01GUdTcI0xyqBvFqc0QsaSWN1zdoftE3oEh2AO__7UDaIS2EeGFlSHSbjVZgrITL_mYEi-degWnHqO9LxCS5M/s1600/Apr262012-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-c95jQLoLQOply6Kd15kAXJ24xXmoOVofx72tH2EJ0oehm_SaHzQjQ01GUdTcI0xyqBvFqc0QsaSWN1zdoftE3oEh2AO__7UDaIS2EeGFlSHSbjVZgrITL_mYEi-degWnHqO9LxCS5M/s320/Apr262012-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attitude attitude!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">This is a territorial bird known to even kill others of its species in its territory. </span> From 1966 to 2000, the population declined by an average of 2.7% each year. Since 2000, annual spotting records indicate a continued decline. Assuming the same average decline rate, that would make the Painted Bunting population reduced by about 75% since 1966. They are on the watch list and have been for some time. They need our assistance, so they don't get on the endangered list. <br />
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<b><u>References</u></b><br />
1.<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://birding.about.com/od/birdprofiles/p/paintedbunting.htm">About.com Painted Buntings</a></span><br />
2. <a href="http://audubon2.org/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=156">Audubon Watch List - Painted Bunting</a><br />
3. <a href="http://paintedbuntings.org/" target="_blank">Special site just for this species</a><br />
4. <a href="http://visitwimberley.com/ourbirds/buntings1.shtml" target="_blank">Attracting Painted Buntings to your yard</a>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-75910023972387229502012-01-06T18:13:00.000-08:002012-01-06T18:13:03.679-08:00Social Behavior of Trees - communities of the forestApparently, more accurate and deeper knowledge is leading us towards an understanding of how trees interact among themselves and unite for the benefit of the whole.A rudimentary social behavior has been observed recently in studies of forest trees. Using their roots systems, a forest "community" has a natural way of survival by exploiting fungi to communicate among themselves. Where there is need, but in a healthy network, nutrients are shared among trees. So the microcosm of a tree stand, or the ecosystem of an area has trees playing certain roles. This video show the results of recent studies where a "mother tree" shares resources to younger ones in the area, irrespective of species. This concept is extremely interesting and can explain some of the strange things that can happen in a forest ecosystem. This is new knowledge, something to watch in the future, as we try to protect our ecosystems. Planting a couple of trees in the front yard of newly built homes just doesn't do the trees justice. Our planting habits tend to be like a zoo for trees. "There's a good spot. It will look good there." We need to change to consider the social behavior benefits of trees in a forest ecology network.<br />
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We are about to embark on another cycle of planting trees.I will keep this in mind as I plan my reforestation. Just think, assuming this is correct which I truly believe, we have destroyed the forest and expect our trees to survive a drought when their social infrastructure has been destroyed. The Woodlands Texas needs to better understand the relationships among our trees to be able to comprehend what it means to humans to live in the forest and to maintain a healthy tall canopy and a diverse ecology below it. Our motive is visual but our tactics need to be focused on their health. <br />
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<a href="http://blip.tv/the-university-of-british-columbia/prof-suzanne-simard-talks-about-mother-trees-5398161">The Mother Tree of the Forest </a>, Prof. Suzanne Simard talks about Mother trees<br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Video by: Dan McKinney; Producer: Julia Dordel, 2011</span>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-33422259350967462832011-09-07T16:56:00.000-07:002012-01-31T18:07:53.160-08:00Wildfire North of Jefferson and Marshall Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgweAKMd_IqJ0qS8sp_GTd7A2n1wmbLv2SW6TmDJ7YctiFbgwwQrH_AqtihdA0hxTMG1dLt8VjfN5ylQnAbV5MJUup_ybDhuaXFg3UT6dwWmoikog1UALAzYAUCRQXgjIeV2w6WZye0II/s1600/20110906-IMG_2058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgweAKMd_IqJ0qS8sp_GTd7A2n1wmbLv2SW6TmDJ7YctiFbgwwQrH_AqtihdA0hxTMG1dLt8VjfN5ylQnAbV5MJUup_ybDhuaXFg3UT6dwWmoikog1UALAzYAUCRQXgjIeV2w6WZye0II/s320/20110906-IMG_2058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If you are familiar with the deep Texas forests, chances are you have been among the pines of this farming community north of Jefferson. Yesterday when these photos were taken, the fire appeared to be headed directly for Jefferson, but overnight it apparently veered off. At the time of this writing, the fire had consumed more than 30000 acres and is continuing on its trek to destroy everything in its path.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildfire next to I59 in the woods</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer Fire Departments are very busy</td></tr>
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As in other areas of Texas, the residents here have been facing wildfires during this awful drought and heat this summer. Tropical Storm Lee added to the frustration and fear among the people here, as it brought strong dry wind from the north to exacerbate this summer's problems. Firefighting resources are scarce as almost every firefighter and truck is deployed to a fire. The age of some of the trucks appear to be some 50 years old or more. You see tractors and people moving about and guarding homes, ready to use their equipment to save homes and lives, but not anxious to expend their precious resources to save trees or actually fight the fire.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traffic passes by as flames shoot up within a few feet of the pavement </td></tr>
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Smoke and more smoke billow into the wind, especially when the fires consumes non-forest material, like a house. A distinct dark change in color from a grey will occur. Utility companies turn off electricity in the path of the wildfire to prevent additional issues. I was under a power line taking some photos when a resident warned me of the line and said that I needed to remove myself from under the line, because the fire was threatening to bring the line down. I moved, because you never can depend on the power being shut off.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power lines above the fire</td></tr>
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The fire develops from the dry grass in this area and then the dry limbs and pine straw catch fire under the trees. On the trees and bushes themselves, you find dry, dead pine leaves which burst into flames and will at times even reach the tops of the trees. I saw several trees on fire where the straw brought the flame to a dead limb, which in turn, became fuel for an even hotter fire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgweAKMd_IqJ0qS8sp_GTd7A2n1wmbLv2SW6TmDJ7YctiFbgwwQrH_AqtihdA0hxTMG1dLt8VjfN5ylQnAbV5MJUup_ybDhuaXFg3UT6dwWmoikog1UALAzYAUCRQXgjIeV2w6WZye0II/s1600/20110906-IMG_2058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgweAKMd_IqJ0qS8sp_GTd7A2n1wmbLv2SW6TmDJ7YctiFbgwwQrH_AqtihdA0hxTMG1dLt8VjfN5ylQnAbV5MJUup_ybDhuaXFg3UT6dwWmoikog1UALAzYAUCRQXgjIeV2w6WZye0II/s320/20110906-IMG_2058.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flames are noted on some of these trees - click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Families were everywhere, watching the fire and hoping they would not have to leave their homes. One young girl of about 13 was watering the grass in front of their house on the other side of the highway to prevent easy kindled fire and thereby risk the loss of her home. Just a few yards away, the home was in danger if the fire would jump the highway. A fire will jump the highway and as one resident said, the winds of a fire are not predictable, because it generates its own wind. A fire can move faster than a human can run in some cases and it lifts embers into the air to fall in a location, normally downwind. That is why we often have multiple fires in an area and why a fire often crosses a fire line intended to box it in and force it to die. In the fire itself, if a wooden object above the flames reaches 572 degrees, it will flash without touching the flame. Keeping the fire cool and the air below this temperature is sometimes very challenging. Most of what I was observing did not reach critical temperatures needed for spontaneous combustion.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH8mEXFJqvK9xYHWxYh5wJZgGAb7gFWjqSjW2Mg3RAvO45k0lKJ8RfvRQWNf1pQ8EWfNrwhd7AnNQAcXj8ORctV899g0-D-unqjEP84YyTjkMHTbMMJXOZeiyYDroOgypWy7q1f_7Q7g/s1600/20110906-IMG_2088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH8mEXFJqvK9xYHWxYh5wJZgGAb7gFWjqSjW2Mg3RAvO45k0lKJ8RfvRQWNf1pQ8EWfNrwhd7AnNQAcXj8ORctV899g0-D-unqjEP84YyTjkMHTbMMJXOZeiyYDroOgypWy7q1f_7Q7g/s320/20110906-IMG_2088.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helicopter helping by dropping water to cool the fire</td></tr>
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<div>
There were no winged craft to drop chemicals on this fire, but one helicopter was deployed to drop water on the fire. There were dozens of firetrucks deployed on the fire, along with volunteers and law officers directing traffic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g1mkP8SrrpjqTRUYKFEmmwWn91g068P1m5aNUC6CtdKgKrcdGEp7rcYuzUiHbnNpydoh-iCcBFz-O36C526Ibju1zNYfLFqkgOiJG0YeUfeCZEfhmm7zgAYEWbztDZgZSQd9uJfjNyY/s1600/20110906-IMG_2059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g1mkP8SrrpjqTRUYKFEmmwWn91g068P1m5aNUC6CtdKgKrcdGEp7rcYuzUiHbnNpydoh-iCcBFz-O36C526Ibju1zNYfLFqkgOiJG0YeUfeCZEfhmm7zgAYEWbztDZgZSQd9uJfjNyY/s320/20110906-IMG_2059.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke can make a forest totally obscure and blinding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Visibility is greatly reduced in a fire zone. As the sun set, I could see less and less of the highway. The smell of the smoke was difficult to manage. I coughed and had a terrible headache after I finally arrived at my home in The Woodlands that night. I could smell smoke there also, from local fires in Montgomery County. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivviCqTvcaXOifgNc7t0PXo8uAacgj_VwlbH7g0TQQZQG1gYeYh7KIFy6HG67S0IFPPjGuRN_aHIKqMEjcFL1Vqn43YNLdHiigo_hKs9Zjd_XwN2mfz0ahp6xHL2UHIduEqQr6trP3Un8/s1600/20110906-IMG_2092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivviCqTvcaXOifgNc7t0PXo8uAacgj_VwlbH7g0TQQZQG1gYeYh7KIFy6HG67S0IFPPjGuRN_aHIKqMEjcFL1Vqn43YNLdHiigo_hKs9Zjd_XwN2mfz0ahp6xHL2UHIduEqQr6trP3Un8/s320/20110906-IMG_2092.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marshall was miles removed from the threat but not the smoke</td></tr>
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Marshall seemed under siege by the smoke, although people moved about as normal. They were downwind and somewhat threatened by the movement of the wildfire but no direct danger unless the fire crossed highways and moved in direction. I saw many local people congregate at businesses nearby, wondering if they would be directly involved. I could tell from hand gestures that the fire was the main topic of discussion. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ0ZUPGwDxfbZWs-Ncn5BiEZJcc3wRBylzFmpgHdF0_SdRJVlIMw_BlvJcPQBnAFKUBE7A1E8UsfHaPidyrEazNMRJo4vOkAGCJSRrTuiQAEoMZ7iGIBfEXtyXwXRO_M_d_rrT3a_tIU/s1600/20110906-IMG_2097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ0ZUPGwDxfbZWs-Ncn5BiEZJcc3wRBylzFmpgHdF0_SdRJVlIMw_BlvJcPQBnAFKUBE7A1E8UsfHaPidyrEazNMRJo4vOkAGCJSRrTuiQAEoMZ7iGIBfEXtyXwXRO_M_d_rrT3a_tIU/s320/20110906-IMG_2097.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The silver lining - beautiful landscape from smoke as a light filter</td></tr>
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<div>
Smoke covered the countryside and settled in valleys among the East Texas hills. It was a totally clear day - no clouds at all and no rain for sure! We were on the backside of the Tropical Depression that was moving to the east coast. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSakZnUoVBYkINqUpipzBdhF6XZB6VxAIRicN46IMZOOhBpqELZhjzahs3yD-zNITY4Cd-GDlT95ZkPGhALA_D975cicqsMGMIGUnT8zdyDQ3yALvUbfPbWMroWcTNMfQIDMtB2TdqDPc/s1600/20110906-IMG_2046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSakZnUoVBYkINqUpipzBdhF6XZB6VxAIRicN46IMZOOhBpqELZhjzahs3yD-zNITY4Cd-GDlT95ZkPGhALA_D975cicqsMGMIGUnT8zdyDQ3yALvUbfPbWMroWcTNMfQIDMtB2TdqDPc/s320/20110906-IMG_2046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A structure still burns after the grass fire in the wake of the wildfire</td></tr>
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<div>
There were cattle in the fields just 1/2 mile downwind when I arrived. The were gone from the field when I left, as the fire continued its trek towards their farm. I assumed the cattle had been evacuated or at least moved to a nearby safer place.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I asked an attendant at a nearby gasoline station what she would do if the fire made it to her place of work. She said "run!", meaning of course that she was going to make sure she would be safe! <br />
<br />
Related Links and articles:<br />
+ <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/wildfire.htm">How Stuff Works - Wildfires </a><br />
+ <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2011/07/wildfire-in-dyer-mill-texas.html">Wildfire in Dyer Mill, Texas </a><br />
+ <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2011/08/forest-under-stress.html">Forest under Stress</a><br />
+<a href="http://www.ktbs.com/news/29101503/detail.html"> Jefferson Fire - KTBS.com</a><br />
+ <a href="http://ticc.tamu.edu/Response/FireActivity/">Texas Forest Fire Activity (map) </a><br />
+ <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/09/more-texas-wildfires/100141/">"More Texas Wildfires" by The Atlantic </a></div>
</div>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-10397602410922500732011-08-13T12:47:00.000-07:002011-08-13T19:25:32.026-07:00Ponds under stress<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-ovBaEfKEdpivKTdXX9CXuquFZdxvppAiZWdOhrozz0Qjf8Xj6IPEbe-tOnZd249tx3BrwsYS8Gl_C02C6IPeF-ifVPkWUUG3Vz0cE-Rc1h7f5Zgx-Ac3v2bAR28hJ-fqP2GpWJA1-0/s1600/IMG_1365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-ovBaEfKEdpivKTdXX9CXuquFZdxvppAiZWdOhrozz0Qjf8Xj6IPEbe-tOnZd249tx3BrwsYS8Gl_C02C6IPeF-ifVPkWUUG3Vz0cE-Rc1h7f5Zgx-Ac3v2bAR28hJ-fqP2GpWJA1-0/s400/IMG_1365.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Cypress near pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Among the several ecosystems in The Woodlands Texas having to endure the extreme drought of 2011 is the pond. Some of our ponds have Cypress trees like these along the banks. Others have various other types of trees. The Cypress is made to withstand a drought. Although its roots are shallow, it has a built-in defense to hibernate in the summer. This summer is no exception, but it was much earlier and for a longer duration. These trees I personally planted several years ago. They are benefactors of artificial grass watering, as well as nearby water. However, the pond has retreated several feet this summer and caused a stress that these trees had not known before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HxMoNSVE6iPpLA9B4HFH7oEWOU20-PEmBSMcjaZYHRNZRkewVpd74PMVTzY7iQdy1kuLyWuUNeBeqVBWZs9WvTJD7GCxUxjDGrsbFzaExoBiviTCv-Bcb6sQJimOm2ZkYESlAvs49_k/s1600/IMG_1367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HxMoNSVE6iPpLA9B4HFH7oEWOU20-PEmBSMcjaZYHRNZRkewVpd74PMVTzY7iQdy1kuLyWuUNeBeqVBWZs9WvTJD7GCxUxjDGrsbFzaExoBiviTCv-Bcb6sQJimOm2ZkYESlAvs49_k/s320/IMG_1367.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Struggling Bald Cypress further from shoreline</td></tr>
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Residents and outside visitors who frequent this pond remark about the low water level. They also note the trees are barely making it this year. In fact, the Parks Dept destroyed at least 8 small trees in the bulrushes, apparently thinking the trees were already dead, when they mowed down the bulrushes. I was glad to see this conspicuous one (which I planted first) still remaining. We all are praying for rain.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2yLZiXdYYNp-2QMP1WdHeLAxRaTZ-ctrckY1mGiYLxo1djA3jq-yn02VSZlub-d4ju00ia_0xp3sFvdSSTHLukNPMpL8Vhiqb3SNYwpqaI99zCqyaz5VHOsZjn5RN5j5AIeI8wz4ZOQ/s1600/IMG_1368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2yLZiXdYYNp-2QMP1WdHeLAxRaTZ-ctrckY1mGiYLxo1djA3jq-yn02VSZlub-d4ju00ia_0xp3sFvdSSTHLukNPMpL8Vhiqb3SNYwpqaI99zCqyaz5VHOsZjn5RN5j5AIeI8wz4ZOQ/s320/IMG_1368.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mowed bulrushes and pond ecosystem on left behind homes</td></tr>
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This area has long been the home of many turtles, frogs, a water bird estuary, a fish fry estuary, and a butterfly feeding haven. It is a very natural habitat that has taken about 15 years to slowly develop, with the help of the Parks Dept and neighboring residents. If it is not mowed again, it will come back alive once more. Plants are already sprouting along the bank and some of the reedy plants are coming back up by their roots. Normally, the bulrushes provide a sanctuary for almost every living thing in the pond. The bass lay in wait to prey on water creatures along the bank, their offspring feed and hide in the reeds, perch fry hide in it, and a multitude of creatures lay their eggs in it. The dead reeds generally protect the root systems of the live plants until the hot sun gives way to more temperate growing conditions in the Fall. Fortunately, we have an automatic watering system to compensate for the removal of the natural habitat, but that will do little for the fish, frogs, water birds and turtles. Some of our ponds are threatened by oxygen kills (lack thereof). This pond has a large surface for exchanging gases. Algae will take over in some years, so The Woodlands must control the algae. Now as the water recedes from the banks, the threat of algae becomes more intense. Without rain, our ponds suffer from lawn chemicals in water runoffs to the sewer system from irrgating the lawns. Then we have a more concentrated effect of fertilizers and insecticides accompanying lawn water moving down the storm sewers which exit into the ponds' ecosystem. When we have our normal rainfall, the pond overflows, exiting through a back creekbed and thereby dilutes these pollutants.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCI9ko7-twctrvD7CmEFrUcOKbHlwMVh9BUjL9u8zK385agFjNOqwuZU5GH5-3rdDs6HCxzr7vwbrutv-3k0xDJ-u2VfkJh5gahbV-Ppq_tyJ5nXEwpNCSjv-Xk64IT0Vk3UYaKdhVQE/s1600/IMG_1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCI9ko7-twctrvD7CmEFrUcOKbHlwMVh9BUjL9u8zK385agFjNOqwuZU5GH5-3rdDs6HCxzr7vwbrutv-3k0xDJ-u2VfkJh5gahbV-Ppq_tyJ5nXEwpNCSjv-Xk64IT0Vk3UYaKdhVQE/s320/IMG_1370.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
Our parks with and without ponds are all under some stress. These four pine trees in this park near the pond have been recently killed by beetles, which have leveraged the weakness of the drought-stricken trees to feed and multiply.<br />
<br />
It is not over! The worse could yet come. We have one advantage though, even if it does not rain for another month. The daylight hours are shortening little by little, relieving the sun's intense drying effect. But 102 degrees is still too much for the ecosystem! </div>
indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-21615326317753068142011-08-12T20:23:00.000-07:002011-08-12T20:25:21.767-07:00Forest Under Stress<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeKEab-7HXGlkMEQqgk2rcsyEXVr7oMgMfdyCw8vcv5e1eFmiC3QqrMurz2xSrusgNr8UAOgrW_cwyWyc4hSlIOU1mvPtczrVj-ulrsJSbZyWP_FpLNOdVDJeouOlXD9OmJcxhIo_Il4/s1600/IMG_1298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeKEab-7HXGlkMEQqgk2rcsyEXVr7oMgMfdyCw8vcv5e1eFmiC3QqrMurz2xSrusgNr8UAOgrW_cwyWyc4hSlIOU1mvPtczrVj-ulrsJSbZyWP_FpLNOdVDJeouOlXD9OmJcxhIo_Il4/s400/IMG_1298.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical roadway in The Woodlands with "dead" trees in August 2011</td></tr>
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Remember 2009-2010? Our forestss came under attack by beetles. Specifically, the pine trees were stressed by drought, making them vulnerable to beetles. We lost many trees, large and small in The Woodlands Texas, as did the whole of southeast Texas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA3Uc3kDRfB6EgFB95sphJf5hakb16wc9gx3KHa2ACFGhyzaxi9COgtLxPToM8SkNSB49fZntKrLqI3P21-6A0E-HPp_o4-P7EDydCwNHrUt-_Wq8Lw0ckmZVNWzI6xnwPEqwqYxRBgQ/s1600/IMG_1237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA3Uc3kDRfB6EgFB95sphJf5hakb16wc9gx3KHa2ACFGhyzaxi9COgtLxPToM8SkNSB49fZntKrLqI3P21-6A0E-HPp_o4-P7EDydCwNHrUt-_Wq8Lw0ckmZVNWzI6xnwPEqwqYxRBgQ/s320/IMG_1237.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine casualty of 2010 - remains standing</td></tr>
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Today we are in the worse drought we have ever experienced on record. It is super hot, with the temperature breaking the century mark daily, and we have had very little relief from rainfall. This situation has become more harshly evident in our forests in recent days as the drought becomes more prolonged.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx84Rp3Xpm_AqQaVwWEvKIiFfIzTyDN-W5OE3Q1CaVpKFINQ6svp-_HN3OWxaVoqWObWSvZq7cGatvKh3OlTkhoAc3lqYyMi-1MRZNVFsR6ucRbJ_2h5jHHx0fpjuy1GP7Q5HnVU344g/s1600/IMG_1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx84Rp3Xpm_AqQaVwWEvKIiFfIzTyDN-W5OE3Q1CaVpKFINQ6svp-_HN3OWxaVoqWObWSvZq7cGatvKh3OlTkhoAc3lqYyMi-1MRZNVFsR6ucRbJ_2h5jHHx0fpjuy1GP7Q5HnVU344g/s320/IMG_1347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest floor in George Mitchell Preserve covered in falling leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Conditions and results have been evident by wilting, leaf browning, leaf falling and a notable decrease in wildlife occupants since May. There were no birds singing in this area at mid-day and not one butterfly observation today. The pines are generally faring OK, but the hardwoods are really taking it on the chin, perhaps as a knockout blow!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-Lb-5wYHMMfsCFvnif5SDDPXvRbE5lXUGxuhRb1mzzLiC6qEYnpMdaZQFu7fX5jkwDXhyphenhyphenMM0HqpJuGWjH89vA4YXbPoJmgQu9BAKuE-WqY136zYgg1Nd3HVLbkZ8mYAiySoW-vat0Yw/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-Lb-5wYHMMfsCFvnif5SDDPXvRbE5lXUGxuhRb1mzzLiC6qEYnpMdaZQFu7fX5jkwDXhyphenhyphenMM0HqpJuGWjH89vA4YXbPoJmgQu9BAKuE-WqY136zYgg1Nd3HVLbkZ8mYAiySoW-vat0Yw/s320/IMG_1249.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Red Oak in green belt appearing completely dead, easily identified</td></tr>
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<br />
In one part of the green belt I investigated, nearly 1/2 of the hardwoods appeared dead. Are they? Maybe they are hibernating by premature sap withdrawal, essentially making Fall in July and August. I checked species and believe almost all of them are actually dead. It is difficult to believe they would survive one more month of high temperatures and drought. I could ascertain two different ways the leaves died - (1) wilting and then curling up, like being scorched with a blow torch, (2) Browning like in the fall, with the shape of the leaf retained.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGXRTKOYxEkyWvNCqFifR6pWSIik_mi73Y_eY2Z_To_FkZ3IMuPAtxGg2zSNUJ4U5d9nDi78DWK91uySGDde5OZ5_UUQZiRU0j3iU_pT9LaGWMONHxrfq2l0ni6IOkfEHj6qY2xwv-mE/s1600/IMG_1289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGXRTKOYxEkyWvNCqFifR6pWSIik_mi73Y_eY2Z_To_FkZ3IMuPAtxGg2zSNUJ4U5d9nDi78DWK91uySGDde5OZ5_UUQZiRU0j3iU_pT9LaGWMONHxrfq2l0ni6IOkfEHj6qY2xwv-mE/s320/IMG_1289.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curling of leaves reveals the withering effect on this partly green Elm</td></tr>
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<br />
It just depends on the species and the amount of water remaining in the soil. Everyone notices and most think that they understand, but the reality is not always obvious. It is hidden deep in the forest. After I gave this a bit of thought, I started seeking more understanding of the competitiveness of the various species in survival under these conditions. It looked like Darwin's theory of the survival of the fittest was taking place right before me. In some places, one species would be surviving. In others, it would not.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMV9eT00ZtVC3zL2-MpdBN2wzau3lDILH0LEyQsz6VljyAMmt09cEuA_4TSwVNzn56f9k3LMGxSy6-SDHeS9PmgzYejph8hRzgdf1P3iqkvcwPThl2hBTUXe5-f9wje_woQjPjL8PaUY/s1600/IMG_1250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMV9eT00ZtVC3zL2-MpdBN2wzau3lDILH0LEyQsz6VljyAMmt09cEuA_4TSwVNzn56f9k3LMGxSy6-SDHeS9PmgzYejph8hRzgdf1P3iqkvcwPThl2hBTUXe5-f9wje_woQjPjL8PaUY/s320/IMG_1250.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed pines and hardwoods in dense underbrush</td></tr>
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It is thought that the hardwoods generally win out in the forest over the conifers, but now the hardwoods appear to be not be able to compete in very severe droughts. The population density of the forest was about the same, size of the trees were large and mature, and the exposure to the western sun was about the same. There are many variables that need to be compared to understand the dynamics within the forest. That includes the age of the tree, the soil, exposure to disease, the surrounding underbrush and the share of canopy. All of these variables are unknown to me,although I could have gathered some of it. What is known is that all of the trees share soil proximity, similar companion brush, and similar floor cover. Most of the trees have trunks at varying angles to the ground further complicating the movement of water up from the root systems. There was no evidence of disease as evidenced by the bark being fully in tact on all specimens I noted. Fungal diseases of Oaks, such as the Red Oak, could be different in each individual. The ground was not flat, so the small variations in altitude could affect water runoff and thereby availability of water, but I tried to correlate that with the dead trees and came up empty. I could find no one thing in common that could cause higher mortality. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPDCLvVrAj8yyvqSsQqJJEK3KlT7ObNJz49Oh6OJKBFwCSPUhpo1P1_2nCSZiHxNTjHQ1qEyvNa_rDq9-3UVTjSgLmgJ0Z_xXB9VHApnh6pGFsv3_Ief52Y-_TiYsNxASuFigwr0ZomA/s1600/IMG_1337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPDCLvVrAj8yyvqSsQqJJEK3KlT7ObNJz49Oh6OJKBFwCSPUhpo1P1_2nCSZiHxNTjHQ1qEyvNa_rDq9-3UVTjSgLmgJ0Z_xXB9VHApnh6pGFsv3_Ief52Y-_TiYsNxASuFigwr0ZomA/s320/IMG_1337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No dead trees at Lake Bedias nor in most locations in the preserve</td></tr>
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<br />
In the lowlands near the creek, all the trees are doing much better than in the highlands just a mile or so away. The moist deep sands of the George Mitchell Preserve is significantly mitigating the effects of the drought. Although the drought is beginning to show its ugly head in parts of the forest, most of it remains alive. Wilt? yes! Die? mostly not, unless this extreme weather continues for another month or so.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOwyQFiUOcxAM67_S4W4WNenF3FamUgfraWxq3rUC6-H8o0ey8vGeNOr0ZrKG_olo883DT7ZG2RAdEFZZKKiHxNDoIP7j9chsBthXhSrl59h0t7-J7lgoflIvTn65uznOgTnJgXDXuJY/s1600/IMG_1326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOwyQFiUOcxAM67_S4W4WNenF3FamUgfraWxq3rUC6-H8o0ey8vGeNOr0ZrKG_olo883DT7ZG2RAdEFZZKKiHxNDoIP7j9chsBthXhSrl59h0t7-J7lgoflIvTn65uznOgTnJgXDXuJY/s320/IMG_1326.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Beauty hanging on with fruit</td></tr>
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<br />
The understory is faring much better than the canopy trees, but there is significant wilt to most of the plants, nearing death in some cases. I am amazed how well some of our plants endure this hardship. Yaupon is the toughest of all. Of all native plants, I revere this tree for its hardiness in recent winter and now summer environment extremes. American Beauty plant has managed to produce berries this year, although not heartily as it usually does.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSzCrkI_8eVaPl-_du1vkXv2i-eXzQW45shEH2GZFbVkGtd53hAKFWLBxIDCkUXuUdaxPQZpRWx3wxKmv62OnjZtvQdBcbOWpwpDymHe2bjQKVYnHb4XHQSmmckpUYnnjIMA07tNUQyQ/s1600/IMG_1345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSzCrkI_8eVaPl-_du1vkXv2i-eXzQW45shEH2GZFbVkGtd53hAKFWLBxIDCkUXuUdaxPQZpRWx3wxKmv62OnjZtvQdBcbOWpwpDymHe2bjQKVYnHb4XHQSmmckpUYnnjIMA07tNUQyQ/s320/IMG_1345.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palms normally living in coastal and forest wetlands are suffering</td></tr>
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It is my belief that there is going to be substantial loss but let's cross our fingers and hope that we do not lose a high percentage of the hardwoods in our green belts. These trees are responsible for hiding our homes from the street and vice-a-versa, plus they help to absorb some of the street noise. These majestic trees are decades old and help provide us with the feeling of The Woodlands forests. After all, The Woodlands is absolutely nothing without its forests and inhabitants. indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-82079748326234632132011-07-31T21:00:00.000-07:002011-07-31T21:19:26.543-07:00Wildfire in Dyer Mill, Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few feet between wildfire and no fire at all</td></tr>
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A trip deep into the forest and into typical ranch country of Grimes County just north of Montgomery County yielded this little story of a big drought, the 2011 disaster in the little community of Dyer Mill Texas. Driving along County Road 302, also known as Dyer Mill Road, one passes through some tall pine and oak country, what I call the "country forest". It was fairly dense but not as it is here in South Montgomery County. Yes, there are many trees, but the under-story is groomed and just not as dense - but very dry and highly combustible. Most of the land is divided into small ranches and ranchettes, many of them with homes on them. Timber is contiguous from ranch to ranch, where timber was planted in rows to harvest someday. There are livestock being raised and hunting leases in this area. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHUZcQjXlLf1osowDvIC-o1bW-hVlDJeN1BIhSqN92BVTOXRnErRBfq_GOv0rIHdKvTM7TGlow-_QQ1n2sbH-kRg-j7K_Cl00pnNcCOyjyTarCdWDGhNBkGFP99zypTb8A-AO3HuOPMg/s1600/20110730-IMG_1169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHUZcQjXlLf1osowDvIC-o1bW-hVlDJeN1BIhSqN92BVTOXRnErRBfq_GOv0rIHdKvTM7TGlow-_QQ1n2sbH-kRg-j7K_Cl00pnNcCOyjyTarCdWDGhNBkGFP99zypTb8A-AO3HuOPMg/s320/20110730-IMG_1169.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"No Trespassing"</td></tr>
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It seemed as if nothing ever occurred here as I first turned onto CR 302. Was there really a fire here? I questioned. maybe I am lost. Suddenly my truck, cameras and I reached what appeared to be a town. As I rode into this less sparsely populated area, I found on my right a burned forest and on my left some green grass and homes, with people moving slowly about on this very steamy Saturday afternoon. Obviously firefighters had been here, busy confining the fire to the east and keeping it on the right side of the road. Now a video began playing in my head. I could hear voices, commotion, frantic movements to save these homes, which were evacuated at the time. In a couple of places, I noticed some burned areas in the forest, where no homes exist. The fire was here alright, and it jumped the fire lines on this road in these several places, but never next to the road. I could hear firefighters alarmed as they saw a new fire started in the woods nearby. They had to extinguish it before it raged further to the west. "Hold that line!", as a helicopter might have coincidentally flown overhead. Embers had been pushed up into the air, in the smoke and transported by the fire-induced wind into the forest. Response teams managed to confine the fires in town, but in places it almost got out of hand on the left (western) side. The line was to be held on the road while teams extinguished the jumps.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some places were eerie with the feel of death & destruction</td></tr>
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1800 families were told to evacuate this area, from the town folks to the country folks. 32 homes were destroyed and some of the residents said they could have saved their homes. Likely they could have in some locations but the evacuation was mandatory, because there would be no search and rescue teams. Firefighters had more than they could handle to fight the blaze and keep safe themselves. As it turned out, there were no casualties. It is my understanding that some livestock was lost, but on the most part, everyone managed to evacuate and almost everyone moved their livestock out of harm's way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intersection of CR302/CR304</td></tr>
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I found two public businesses in town - a feed store and a general store. I do not know where people get their gasoline. I saw a few deer feeders in the forest, small service businesses and residents in the community. There was one particular ranchette home that is simply what I call "McDonalds farm" because of the diverse livestock and country atmosphere.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIR46C8-mSLHBSemnWM_yZHSoecWa24cs4p2bYpNd8SKYd2lRPxx7PX_rK_du6JLu44cDEelH8rT6AtdiCj9HvtRJczz4uYaKy3pvpgBFq1v4IEOnrY3m-r99WbsxWZ1ngJo9dPH0F6w/s1600/20110730-IMG_1199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIR46C8-mSLHBSemnWM_yZHSoecWa24cs4p2bYpNd8SKYd2lRPxx7PX_rK_du6JLu44cDEelH8rT6AtdiCj9HvtRJczz4uYaKy3pvpgBFq1v4IEOnrY3m-r99WbsxWZ1ngJo9dPH0F6w/s320/20110730-IMG_1199.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical scene in the forest on a ranch - some green tops, charred ground, dead trees</td></tr>
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Although I had little contact with residents, I did talk to one lady who didn't want to talk about the fire but would talk about the people and area. There's been too many news reporters here, I quickly realized. She would imply just that.<br />
<br />
Hello ma'am. "I'm just passing through to look at the fire damage and
take photos of the area", I said to the lady. "Do you know where I can find some ice cream in this little ole town?" She replied, "Sir, this is no ... town. The nearest town is Navasota. And yes hun, there is a general store down the road. You can find some ice cream there." "Boy it is so hot out here, I remarked. "Hun, do you know how much rain we have had?" "None?" Nope, nothing.", she answered. <br />
<br />
"Hun, I wouldn't do that if I were you." Taken by surprise, I replied, "Do what?" "Oh, go
out there asking questions and stuff. This place is jittery. We have
had some break-ins here, and people have their guns. I can tell you, I do and I am not afraid to use it!" I went on, "I get your gist. I am a native Texan and certainly understand that. I would not even approach a home here. I am just talking to anyone on the major public roads like yourself who I think might be sorta friendly. I love the forest, and so I am here to understand what happened here and picture it." "Well, just be careful. People will use those guns!" Ma'am, I certainly will. Thank you for talking with me. It's been a pleasure. I have to run now. Have a good weekend" "Hun, be careful."<br />
<br />
So I did go down the road, got me an ice cream bar and then continued with my exploration of the area, but a bit more tense than before I talked to that lady. I was watching everyone in their cars cautiously and was fairly prepared if someone was to be aggressive with me. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CR302/CR304</td></tr>
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In the community
located at intersection of CR302/304, there are quite a few homes on small acreage and a few
paved street neighborhoods. This is truly back-country, very quiet and laid back. I thought. I found the general store
there caters burgers and has a few necessities to purchase. Other than that,
there is a feed store across the street. This community is fairly remote and sits deep in the woods. They know fire! They have to!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fence burned in places, home totally destroyed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplQNQx_W3HxeQaWvzmCZVvKKEt18KzmqY1gFvjLya07JTYOaa0ts2nfIvDeXpXSnteffkvm7Fx0UhWA-uf4xrWNGu_LirTT6jAjBTextKuHlOE0Ksr6BXGr9JnQr-s_yXdnShyxH_Wq8/s1600/20110730-IMG_1203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplQNQx_W3HxeQaWvzmCZVvKKEt18KzmqY1gFvjLya07JTYOaa0ts2nfIvDeXpXSnteffkvm7Fx0UhWA-uf4xrWNGu_LirTT6jAjBTextKuHlOE0Ksr6BXGr9JnQr-s_yXdnShyxH_Wq8/s320/20110730-IMG_1203.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of where destroyed home has been cleared</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr43DB7nBvZ70j01xTzjh22_Ezio300yZCsaR-FI6l_12idTVIdVoZ2aIXq7NjHWY-v6hXRNncOZ_2fc58gl1N0it0LdUxtygSvTIn17i3i31N4HsMjrAFrxfD3-H5jxF7i9TWXsmfksk/s1600/20110730-IMG_1206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr43DB7nBvZ70j01xTzjh22_Ezio300yZCsaR-FI6l_12idTVIdVoZ2aIXq7NjHWY-v6hXRNncOZ_2fc58gl1N0it0LdUxtygSvTIn17i3i31N4HsMjrAFrxfD3-H5jxF7i9TWXsmfksk/s320/20110730-IMG_1206.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could not hold a line on CR302. Notice freshly bulldozed line.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxShX_PxwQ1IjEvIGwcqO_C0ROOZEo7ZhT18xVURdK091s_Ks8HIuBXEhbIL7gtlNjxZRksiLmt2-UxVSNs51abmEnNtUmIXiu5eaxpafOexXIt6SUTwkfJLp-nWtMO-f5o0KqOnPSTk8/s1600/20110730-IMG_1175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxShX_PxwQ1IjEvIGwcqO_C0ROOZEo7ZhT18xVURdK091s_Ks8HIuBXEhbIL7gtlNjxZRksiLmt2-UxVSNs51abmEnNtUmIXiu5eaxpafOexXIt6SUTwkfJLp-nWtMO-f5o0KqOnPSTk8/s320/20110730-IMG_1175.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracks of heavy equipment produce sounds of the struggle in my head</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3hxfjaxDRHTfZOJLx1vocJTkayNNF5wz5T41wk5AEyXUyx30FteATTcam37JkDFfLrEpx8Lv6S6L1c7Nu2lBjW_tC9Um4Xgn1fNwJub_MtpBqb8xlRRkcTfdTNP-PW5k67hqi6L43Rg/s1600/20110730-IMG_1178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3hxfjaxDRHTfZOJLx1vocJTkayNNF5wz5T41wk5AEyXUyx30FteATTcam37JkDFfLrEpx8Lv6S6L1c7Nu2lBjW_tC9Um4Xgn1fNwJub_MtpBqb8xlRRkcTfdTNP-PW5k67hqi6L43Rg/s320/20110730-IMG_1178.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An uncanny solitude now engulfs the remains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_Tu4x4vYbJ4I4Tz5EQhtYChiI8T1UORT6073w8eT9azNF89UtRPHsQU1yR1jBfCE0y5-DrnNfvGJI2UOgJYFPk1Ejl25yHqTdcfmtmlZCpBVAlBpy8gjGpBw951j158vQL09KxFpI_U/s1600/20110730-IMG_1167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_Tu4x4vYbJ4I4Tz5EQhtYChiI8T1UORT6073w8eT9azNF89UtRPHsQU1yR1jBfCE0y5-DrnNfvGJI2UOgJYFPk1Ejl25yHqTdcfmtmlZCpBVAlBpy8gjGpBw951j158vQL09KxFpI_U/s320/20110730-IMG_1167.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soot and destruction at base of trees </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5TjXxnqg7YoXBkI-A7M6jaOpmvT_E8-1M_CwPZXH9cS22qWOc_za_jgXzjhLM-633X223iVaI6y_HRqIsB3NlFWTv2nPBFLziCYNzLhUenfxsWAZyT1jOzClh0NsEPB7mcSZ70xiXJw/s1600/20110730-IMG_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5TjXxnqg7YoXBkI-A7M6jaOpmvT_E8-1M_CwPZXH9cS22qWOc_za_jgXzjhLM-633X223iVaI6y_HRqIsB3NlFWTv2nPBFLziCYNzLhUenfxsWAZyT1jOzClh0NsEPB7mcSZ70xiXJw/s320/20110730-IMG_1182.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charred bark of pine evident when light strikes at angle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqAFxIvY4yPKADceBk72kpgHl5SzcAtPMwj2ZoxDXC7A2lfkJKIAsVbP27rWsG_EafxQExjgtpuUYwMwtXGBTlAwgQCnkOi5uWFoGqTPSY8LT0XJfOpuYbO5BQQfgl1DOGkOV2uykC5g/s1600/20110730-IMG_1159-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqAFxIvY4yPKADceBk72kpgHl5SzcAtPMwj2ZoxDXC7A2lfkJKIAsVbP27rWsG_EafxQExjgtpuUYwMwtXGBTlAwgQCnkOi5uWFoGqTPSY8LT0XJfOpuYbO5BQQfgl1DOGkOV2uykC5g/s320/20110730-IMG_1159-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty of remaining forest is like Fall in the north</td></tr>
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But all of them are not careful, like one person said. "All we need to do is to get those knuckleheads who BBQ outside on their grills to stop. They don't seem to understand that fire causes fire! There was another wildfire near here just two weeks ago!" I could see obvious frustration. The drought has taken its toll here. People are selling much of their livestock, and some are even selling their property. It just costs too much to feed the livestock and find water for them in this year's harsh climate. Who is going to wait out the forest to get back to what it was? We are talking 20 years at least. The forest disaster coupled with continuing extreme drought is really pushing the nerves of the folk here. I saw some people starting to clear the charred brush out. It is a messy job. You should have seen me coming out of there with all the black soot on my legs and clothes! Yet I was told that business is just fine.<br />
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"What we need sir, is rain!" Amen, I'll drink to that !!! Good luck folks and good luck forest.<br />
<br />
+ <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1C1CHPC_enUS392US392&q=map+dyer+mill++texas&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1440&bih=799&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x8646c458675049cf:0xa7f495fb553c694a,Dyer+Mill+Rd,+Navasota,+TX+77868&gl=us&ei=r_k1Tu-dNaOusQK7voifCw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CDwQ8gEwAA">Google Map of area</a>. Basically the fire was in the forest area north of the noted location.<br />
+ <a href="http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/124270149.html">Related news article</a> from KBTX, Bryan/College Stationindianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-25365732170335566992011-05-15T20:47:00.000-07:002011-05-15T20:48:59.013-07:00Red-eared Turtle - common resident of ponds<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15ZIUp7FJSrRDjQBk3VWAzxZdwA5NUVRc18qD8-hAX53uWCiNRb106CFX-9AyPbp7rC23j3zyrWTjFjUOhKGhYqbx8_MoZyO_SNNO1pMrv5WKInflI_JvfIEcQE5PkWax-o36sQiY4d0/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15ZIUp7FJSrRDjQBk3VWAzxZdwA5NUVRc18qD8-hAX53uWCiNRb106CFX-9AyPbp7rC23j3zyrWTjFjUOhKGhYqbx8_MoZyO_SNNO1pMrv5WKInflI_JvfIEcQE5PkWax-o36sQiY4d0/s320/IMG_0010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Ear Slider hiding as it migrates in search of another pond. Note the red marking.</td></tr>
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Common among Southeast Texas forests are small bodies of water known as "ponds". Inhabiting these ponds are the Red Ear Slider turtles. Typically there are plenty of plants and food for these amusing creatures to flourish. Like other reptiles, they require the sun, which warms and dries them. Their common name comes from their shyness and ability to "slide" off of rocks and tree limbs. Their anatomy includes papillae which function as gills to allow them to remain underwater for long periods of time, and a shell, which covers their vital parts to protect them from enemies such as a snake. Unique to the turtle is its ability to live for an extended time. Its vital organs do not deteriorate like other creatures over time. Longevity of the human body is being studied relative to this phenomena. A turtle can be eaten but beware of salmonella, which it is known to carry. Their eggs can also be eaten, but it is made from a different protein than that of a bird. Note that it is generally not a good idea to eat something taken from a pond located in a human residential neighborhood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4kjw9z3jll5Fh4acW4NMxtUVvtQqGzt1u_RYLFxwRSLfpffQX8pFmLd3etLWLvfS446CyXwLZgaV8LOa278K5YYpG-gFr8Gfa5Cq5SrdWjf7EnO4rX_IoQRGFeG1TTjHV0Z2rIUnDsk/s1600/IMG_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4kjw9z3jll5Fh4acW4NMxtUVvtQqGzt1u_RYLFxwRSLfpffQX8pFmLd3etLWLvfS446CyXwLZgaV8LOa278K5YYpG-gFr8Gfa5Cq5SrdWjf7EnO4rX_IoQRGFeG1TTjHV0Z2rIUnDsk/s320/IMG_0043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Ear Sliders ready to slide off of the floating wood</td></tr>
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This particular turtle has been a resident of our forests for ages. Trachemys scripta elegans) is the most likely species to be seen in this part of the country and has been long long before man inhabited this continent. Eggs are laid in the soft sandy dirt of low-lying ponds and hatch without parental care. In fact, adults will eat their own young. Sliders will eat about anything from plants and animals to worms and fish. They will gorge themselves on fish waste (remains after cleaning for human consumption). Freshly hatched babies are popular as pets because they can be easily handled by a human without any consequences. I would not stick my finger however in its mouth. It can bite, if provoked, but it is not inclined to be defensive with its mouth. Its defense to withdraw its head into its shell. This strategy has worked some 215 million years to protect it from harm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0wdwz9JHRRJ-8C218ifFIf3aGumo_G90oc6RNS72V-S9bob56I69O-POLSI_Pyn5fBgxZcvJ_Tmbf9Zplfq-TF5ladAGoSJ3Df9yHyQ5qpPB9K1Nxtn0UtjTDXjXye2jyo1d7DFkC14/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0wdwz9JHRRJ-8C218ifFIf3aGumo_G90oc6RNS72V-S9bob56I69O-POLSI_Pyn5fBgxZcvJ_Tmbf9Zplfq-TF5ladAGoSJ3Df9yHyQ5qpPB9K1Nxtn0UtjTDXjXye2jyo1d7DFkC14/s320/IMG_1127.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Red Ear was in the street migrating from one pond to another</td></tr>
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You might notice that the reptile is not seen much in cold weather. It goes to the bottom of the pond and waits it out, like a bear retiring for the winter into a cave. It is affected also by drought. In a pond, there is usually a balance of numbers. It's population in a pond is founded on volume of water, which affects the ability of the pond to sustain life in general. The food chain dwindles with the reduction of water volume. Therefore, the turtle migrates from one pond to another to seek that balance instinctively. At the time of this article, I personally am experiencing an unusual frequency of sightings off the pond in abnormal places. Turtles can also migrate in order to find a mate or in search for an appropriate place to lay eggs. This year, the water's edge has retreated about six feet or more in the pond near my home, causing the normal vegetated shore to dry up and crust, removing the nesting habitat that normally exists. I expect to see attrition of our Red Ears during the current drought. There is nowhere to migrate to either lay eggs or to redistribute the current population.indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-83537210500176091132011-05-01T17:23:00.000-07:002011-05-01T20:36:24.609-07:00In search of the Pawpaw Butterfly - a strange beauty<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGOJNE4ezJHFHy9MGlOV5B4RgHtFe0dfyytKDPd08_jtDXv0Rpm8lzOHARXYUTONTZk9hYoHGpIOXCZGXpWrA-ZpdEYpxyUqOUJp7NwC7mFqL9WJ3Q14-DTOhSLa63pFBxhdIfwqiGMs/s1600/IMG_8214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGOJNE4ezJHFHy9MGlOV5B4RgHtFe0dfyytKDPd08_jtDXv0Rpm8lzOHARXYUTONTZk9hYoHGpIOXCZGXpWrA-ZpdEYpxyUqOUJp7NwC7mFqL9WJ3Q14-DTOhSLa63pFBxhdIfwqiGMs/s320/IMG_8214.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebra Swallowtail (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i>Eurytides marcellus) </i></span>drinking from dung after a short rain</td></tr>
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To start the month of May, I joined a group of Butterfly enthusiasts to search for specific species and in general to count butterfly species in one of the great national forests of East Texas, The Big Thicket National Preserve near Beaumont, Texas, a short day trip from the Houston area. When you see the Zebra Swallowtail, (Eurytides marcellus), you have no doubt whatsoever what you have seen. It is one of the easiest butterflies to identify. But seeing and watching are two different things with this species. With its size, it easily escapes your presence instantly with the speed of a race car and the aloof attributes of a Turkey. Often all one gets is a rather short glimpse of this species unless it is feeding. On this day we were lucky. We happened on a male feeding on dung after a rain. Yes, in order to mate effectively, the male feeds on urine, dung residue and rotten fruit to enable it to impregnate the eggs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgD_qOv-WYQnmo5BQwkVe1iKhrD2hKce7S74QWBhR1Ei5ycDPz0g8RwpITAByMB8-wmjs49ddSv8MJO6HcqIwRGTGuGMJr6ZEIu0WVdSm_T3oycs5dFmIpmbfM26EfLZUb7CHQZSK70c/s1600/IMG_8209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgD_qOv-WYQnmo5BQwkVe1iKhrD2hKce7S74QWBhR1Ei5ycDPz0g8RwpITAByMB8-wmjs49ddSv8MJO6HcqIwRGTGuGMJr6ZEIu0WVdSm_T3oycs5dFmIpmbfM26EfLZUb7CHQZSK70c/s320/IMG_8209.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PawPaw plant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XXHipHfJB7SnIxQ7tvr16NBThfxLUpTZYuCBWjZYXmY4-49FziXaQrFWrmClxBJGiDfCv0OfON22xTYafu6o90uYjrqpBMvRBuJX65FK-weRbvSQd9gI8RKM76LXjZLmEk1-757RHfI/s1600/IMG_8208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XXHipHfJB7SnIxQ7tvr16NBThfxLUpTZYuCBWjZYXmY4-49FziXaQrFWrmClxBJGiDfCv0OfON22xTYafu6o90uYjrqpBMvRBuJX65FK-weRbvSQd9gI8RKM76LXjZLmEk1-757RHfI/s320/IMG_8208.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pawpaw fruit</td></tr>
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Eggs are laid on its host, the interesting Pawpaw plant, abundant in the woodlands of the south. In a butterfly count, we expect to see the Pawpaw Butterfly, but not observe it. This day we watched it for 10 minutes as it feasted on its sperm food, then it returned again and again. It posed for the camera.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOma65ebPKAAr3uW0T5bJPbthWcYHOWx72eWOSjmtw114eSuPcBDIy5gkyyUeJilLKhF8N5XD3ZaCNZB94rNFgDbsp7UfTQs7JhTTiBdsu09Vruqn3joyCZEYIfeaGx55iyzAoprCigU/s1600/IMG_8224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOma65ebPKAAr3uW0T5bJPbthWcYHOWx72eWOSjmtw114eSuPcBDIy5gkyyUeJilLKhF8N5XD3ZaCNZB94rNFgDbsp7UfTQs7JhTTiBdsu09Vruqn3joyCZEYIfeaGx55iyzAoprCigU/s320/IMG_8224.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A member of the Kite family - note the tail</td></tr>
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This large butterfly inhabits only places where species of the Pawpaw plants exist. The larvae gets important nutrients from the plant that is found throughout its life cycle other than the egg. It is believed the survival of the fittest theory plays a role in this, because the chemical nature of the plant provides a "birdicide". It wards off attacks by birds, thereby enabling it to survive in the forest.<br />
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<b><u>References:</u></b><br />
<b><u>+ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_Swallowtail_Butterfly">Wikipedia</a></u></b><br />
<br />indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-64365552167608886702011-04-23T19:27:00.000-07:002011-05-01T13:49:13.755-07:00Surprise encounter with the worm of a Spicebush Butterfly<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD1fQvuTqJzm5YQnppcN7n-RSY49XjlWArieXNVheYDEn0otkfEdpgFFpzU41Oz3ylGMl8AVQzYVbiX1nPv052nJkhRc9_RXYLs5I9ywWDvsYQazUI-t_cC0ywiw8yRdnRrgaLDuJ2UQ/s1600/IMG_8056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD1fQvuTqJzm5YQnppcN7n-RSY49XjlWArieXNVheYDEn0otkfEdpgFFpzU41Oz3ylGMl8AVQzYVbiX1nPv052nJkhRc9_RXYLs5I9ywWDvsYQazUI-t_cC0ywiw8yRdnRrgaLDuJ2UQ/s320/IMG_8056.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar stage</td></tr>
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I have to say, I do not normally go out of my way looking for worms. However, in search of the butterfly, one becomes interested in all their stages of growth. A worm is a worm, right? Just something that chews leaves and destroys plants! Nope... on all counts. The caterpillar stage of the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly is an amazing creature, to some even a pet. This worm looks like it came out of a cartoon book. Its large eyes and mouth give it a snake-like appearance, one that Disney probably picked up on. Today, in a butterfly count, our team had the surprise pleasure of meeting few of them. It was a time of mutual respect. I could tell from the expression of one of these caterpillars. indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-68349260307141287212011-04-23T04:39:00.000-07:002011-04-23T04:39:29.078-07:00Butterflies beyond but among us - the two Crescents<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjh0y9WZgSWjDx5EpGJTX7fB6eftVMHsu_NK7xRWdCG8dsFiXEorJgwzCvSLur1gkkU9BQTBBnwrY6kngL2g0mqwroF4X8zBGJZiQFKd7fAAo0PRRQEmIOZwCMrw5_B-rHCVapv_wW3cs/s1600/IMG_7828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjh0y9WZgSWjDx5EpGJTX7fB6eftVMHsu_NK7xRWdCG8dsFiXEorJgwzCvSLur1gkkU9BQTBBnwrY6kngL2g0mqwroF4X8zBGJZiQFKd7fAAo0PRRQEmIOZwCMrw5_B-rHCVapv_wW3cs/s320/IMG_7828.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Crescent</td></tr>
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Strolling through the park, I have learned to look close to see what is normally beyond my view, but right under my nose. This was the case on a nice Spring day this month in The Woodlands, in the East Texas forest. Nature abounds here because it is the most valued part of the community to many. What is here is what makes this The Woodlands. So on this particular stroll, I noticed two butterflies fluttering from place to place on the ground. I was on a butterfly hunt, just to see what I could find and this marvelous little specimen, a Pearl Crescent, ended up in my viewfinder, as I crawled on the ground. Notice the blades of grass. Yes, St Augustine grass blades were just as big as it was!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLtBb8Dn5XABbORt85oiLURhLtk4v3hb-OCdbJ6Krs4WP2JuFByunTY4ECIAMoRRDvkfg2q5bSpIUQ9wj8ryiU9IV0q4lkVlqSyfy6JZ3-kQMayY4J7XlCvLdBKK_8zLlQLvnM7y_eco/s1600/IMG_7840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLtBb8Dn5XABbORt85oiLURhLtk4v3hb-OCdbJ6Krs4WP2JuFByunTY4ECIAMoRRDvkfg2q5bSpIUQ9wj8ryiU9IV0q4lkVlqSyfy6JZ3-kQMayY4J7XlCvLdBKK_8zLlQLvnM7y_eco/s320/IMG_7840.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaon Crescent</td></tr>
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His companion, a Phaon Crescent, was a bit more raggedy. But in this particular photograph, I wanted to point out the food source that was attracting the two of them to this one spot. This is nature at its best, the mixed diversity of plant and insect. You see, the mowers of this grass had no idea they were mowing over these butterflies the day after this photo was taken. I went afterwards to see if these amazing creatures were still there. No, they were not and neither were the little flowers. Man is so destructive, because he sees and values the macro ecology rather than its diversity. These White Clover (Trifolium repens) are wildflowers, the same as Bluebonnets or other macro ecology valuables we see in the newspapers or magazines. Micro-ecology reveals super beauty and useful specimens of biology. Yes, we need the grass cut in our parks. No, we need not destroy nature. Notice how small the flowers are in the white clover. Small cut blades of grass are 4-5 times its size. The nectar must be sweet, because there were beautiful nectar flowers 50 times the size of these within 10 feet of this location.<br />
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Thanks to one of our local butterfly experts, David Henderson, for his contributions on identifying these species. indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-16005498711891949162011-02-28T11:06:00.000-08:002011-04-23T19:38:01.785-07:00Searching for the beautiful Falcate Orangetip ButterflyWhat? Butterflies in February? Yes, in Southeast Texas and especially right here in The Woodlands area, we have a species that exists in flight only in late February and March. By April, the newly hatched caterpillars will transform into a Chrysalis and wait until next February to fly. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIk2hsA9w1MwPHy3AhVdTKXNopt1JWDop520jBUbRAt4_XuEZpmAvnDGxOv2cE2Q8BgGG8OgroYmAc_XkWqA6c35SR0dJqSue0q-3hfhopDBntSe6CMtCwEukq_EIC2m7TGQzLMzxSTU/s1600/92-01752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIk2hsA9w1MwPHy3AhVdTKXNopt1JWDop520jBUbRAt4_XuEZpmAvnDGxOv2cE2Q8BgGG8OgroYmAc_XkWqA6c35SR0dJqSue0q-3hfhopDBntSe6CMtCwEukq_EIC2m7TGQzLMzxSTU/s320/92-01752.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falcate Orangetip</td></tr>
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A small butterfly but very obvious in the forest as it moves from one flowering Spring Cress plant to another, this species can easily be found wherever there is Spring Cress. <br />
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This is the exquisitely colored male. The female is almost totally white with the dots on the wings. Photographing this butterfly is not easy. It is very skittish and is frightened off by small movements. It does not like to land near humans but when eating, it can be less observing.<br />
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The plant is very small and so is the butterfly. This is what it requires to photograph this beauty.<br />
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Spring Cress (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;">Cardamine bulbosa)</span> is an interesting flowering plant. It is one of the first wild flowers in the Spring to expose its blooms to the forest. As a butterfly plant, it hosts the eggs of the Falcate on its flower stems instead of the leaves. It's tiny eggs are orange and also intricate. Where is the egg? You will need to click on this photo to see how small it is. Hatching will occur any day now. After hatching, all the flowers will be stripped off by the caterpillar. Even though this plant will produce by seed, it survives the butterfly by replicating at the roots. No leaves are touched by the little caterpillars. <br />
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Our search took us to Sam Houston National Forest this day. Finding the bug was not easy. I made five sightings myself. This was not the only butterfly in the forest however.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Crescnt</td></tr>
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A surprise was the spotting of the Pearl Butterfly. This one had a damaged wing but he was able to get around just the same.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry's Elfin</td></tr>
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This butterfly (Henry's Elfin) was expected at this time of the year but difficult to spot, landed high in the branches of the trees and on this cloudy day was very difficult to photograph. Fortunately one of our group managed to find the right spot and had the equipment plus skill to take this photograph.<br />
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My thanks to Don Dubois and Hugh Wedgeworth, fellow members of B.E.S.T., for allowing me to share their photos with you.indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-5859790787317570512011-01-13T14:32:00.000-08:002011-01-13T15:05:17.285-08:00Let me introduce you to PhenologyIn The Woodlands Texas, this happens to be an important topic. Many of us highly value the nature that surrounds us. Phenology is the study of Mother Nature, sort of. It is focussed on cause and effect of natural processes, specifically the timing of those processes to plants and animals, including humans. An example is how weather delays or speeds up bird migration. I will address that separately in the weather commentary but will just mention it here. Another example is the dependence of certain bird migrations on certain plants. Outright survival for much of nature's wildlife is very dependent on the timing of annual events and location of those events. Global warming must include the consideration of phenology and vice-versa. Water, warmth, sun rays, and daylight play a role in phenology. Man's behavior also plays a significant role.<br />
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Although the organized global study of phenology is recent and just getting into high gear, observation data has been collected for decades and even thousands of ears to study some aspects of it. "For the past 1200 years, observations of the timing of peak cherry blossoms in Japan have been recorded." <sup>5</sup> The internet has enabled this specialized subject matter to be taken up in ways never before even envisioned. Personally, I started taking note of a new wave of knowledge in this field in my writings last year. The Cedar Waxwing comes through here in the Spring, getting drunk on the berries of the Yaupon tree. In a month or two, we will see these birds making their annual trek up north again. It hasn't been like this for ever. The name of this bird comes from a past migration path and feeding habits. They are called "Cedar" for a reason. They used to feed off of a species of Cedar trees in their migration, but with the demise of their food in the food chain, they had to find an alternative. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiau3RHctY88quCZKVVA7wHge1DvI6KKID_ZZnXlvuxa3UiVNU3Cozi9MyeQhmd9QhGwO8Djdr_Bp3nofsEZM_v5xmKIQJe3N1bq57h3YMJAm2qiAWJHw9JwUUMhn1z4x8cxjI6z6NO5lU/s1600-h/Trees-1021.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312432719829286674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiau3RHctY88quCZKVVA7wHge1DvI6KKID_ZZnXlvuxa3UiVNU3Cozi9MyeQhmd9QhGwO8Djdr_Bp3nofsEZM_v5xmKIQJe3N1bq57h3YMJAm2qiAWJHw9JwUUMhn1z4x8cxjI6z6NO5lU/s400/Trees-1021.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 400px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 267px;" /></a>The berry of the Yaupon is much higher in sugar content and stays on the branches over the winter, offering a berry to them relatively high in alcohol content. The berries are highly available and dense on the native Yaupon trees in the Spring in East Texas. So the beautiful Cedar Waxwing passes through here for their survival. Therefore their lives have changed partially due to man who has destroyed part of its primary migratory food chain. On the other hand, man has planted fruits and trees rich in fruit content to take the place of the cedar berries. These fruits are now fond in the cities and rural areas, facilitating existence outside of the forest. Actually if there are records to support it, I believe we have likely been a part of their migration path for centuries or longer. They may be coming through in greater numbers now than in the past due to the changes mentioned above but are just eating the fruits that are available as always. This article is not about the Cedar Waxwing though, it is focussed on the science of the timing of Mother Nature. <sup>3</sup><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispnkMJPBh6TFaruyekEoAarUReid-KgJ-rRiTdBaiIIBU905y1AV9xN8X_SwsFB8-YyzQ8V01klNAO9I7RDFXl8tQDwIXUONWPNBTEPNkSr03tq47rXxMdL_7zJt8snHYw8Dwwj1t-a0/s1600-h/IMG_8986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispnkMJPBh6TFaruyekEoAarUReid-KgJ-rRiTdBaiIIBU905y1AV9xN8X_SwsFB8-YyzQ8V01klNAO9I7RDFXl8tQDwIXUONWPNBTEPNkSr03tq47rXxMdL_7zJt8snHYw8Dwwj1t-a0/s320/IMG_8986.jpg" /></a><br />
My own interest in this topic has taken me to participate in a project to electronically capture historical bird migration records which document sightings and the timing of those sightings. This information will be used to correlate ecological events, weather patterns and the timing of birds in their migration over the period of history where there are records. Today, we have observers and data recorders to collect more information in real time into a database. This is expected to enhance our knowledge and give us direction of trends. Perhaps the butterfly observations and counts taken each year could be integrated with this effort as well. There are many more birders than butterfly observers however.<br />
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Although there are disagreements whether we are in a man-made global warming trend, it is easily apparent that we are in a natural global warming trend. How that will play out over the next century and beyond is not easily predicted, so we have the opportunity to utilize phenology as an additional tool for future generations, to enable predictions at least for short terms. These efforts may serve as an additional means to save our planet down the road.<br />
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The National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) is funded to serve us in this way. It "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">monitors the influence of climate on the phenology of plants, animals, and landscapes".</span><sup style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">1</sup><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"> The organization looks for data such as when a plant leafs out, or begins to bloom or other such milestone events during the year. A specialized organization/project called North American Bird Phenology Program (NPP) specializes in bird migrations. It is with this group that the bird observations are being cataloged electronically. Six million observations from just before World War II and earlier into the 19th century are being digitized in this project. "</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 4px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 4px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This program was started in 1881 by Wells W. Cooke, who wanted to broaden knowledge and understanding of (bird) migration.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 4px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 4px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"> <sup>2</sup> </span><br />
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So why am I writing about this in a local blog? We are part of nature here. That is our fundamental backbone of value. Why is it that we live in the woods anyway? That is the reason I came and the reason many others came to this community. We are in the path of bird migrations. That is part of our heritage and our ecological responsibility to sustain. That is one reason I am so partial to the Yaupon tree (bush). It is a contributor to phenology and an important part of our ecology. Therefore, I am a member of USA-NPN and NPP. I encourage others also to participate in one or more of these programs. You can rest assured that I will publish more articles in the future on this subject.<br />
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<b><u>Related links</u></b><br />
<sup>1 </sup><a href="http://www.usanpn.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">National Phenology Network website</span></a><br />
<sup>2</sup> <a href="http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">North American Bird Phenology Program website</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/"></a>
<sup>3</sup> <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2010/02/cedar-waxwing-just-passing-through.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Cedar Waxwing just passing through Southeast Texas</span></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white;">(Commentary)</span><br />
<sup>4</sup> <a href="http://woodlandstrees.blogspot.com/2009/03/yaupon-one-necessary-component-of.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Yaupon - One necessary component of the understory</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #351c75;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">Commentary)</span></span><br />
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<sup>5</sup> <a href="http://www.neoninc.org/budburst/phenology_history.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Project Budburst website</span></a>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-91132870285471177282011-01-13T11:56:00.000-08:002011-01-13T12:10:09.727-08:00Eagles in the sky for year 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_rsmj3q-cxMSlZ_k6RQNsGtvzSfdXrybNT2CdSMUYRR_LS0lvl-9Yu1duY2_MkuRXdpdyzZJh43fX698US-Puv2y78PKnhs3H6m6TJD8M-6M76i7Ayldn8fqs8XvM0U-FJreaOoNck8/s1600/IMG_5313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_rsmj3q-cxMSlZ_k6RQNsGtvzSfdXrybNT2CdSMUYRR_LS0lvl-9Yu1duY2_MkuRXdpdyzZJh43fX698US-Puv2y78PKnhs3H6m6TJD8M-6M76i7Ayldn8fqs8XvM0U-FJreaOoNck8/s320/IMG_5313.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
In The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston, we have the American Bald Eagle in our community. There is other natural wildlife as well. All of it is on the decline as the community continues to be built out. An Eagle needs space. We have had space for them over the years, and that is the reason they are here. That space is filled with large Pine trees and dense undergrowth. In the summer the birds migrate to the north, but by the time it gets really cold up north, they are back here to nest in December. The Woodlands development Company owns the current nesting grounds of the pair that I observe each year. It appears to me that their nesting ground will disappear within the next three years. Their previous nesting location here was dislocated by the construction of of apartments, condos and homes. The birds built a nest close-by when the previous site was threatened by that construction and human activity increased there about 5 years ago. They prefer to use the same nest year after year. It saves them time and energy, besides proving to be safe from prior years' use. Today they inhabit an area of about 10 acres which should be preserved for their use. The chance of that happening is extremely low. It is high value land. As our pine forests decline and is displaced by concrete and brick,one of our precious residents will lose their habitat. Will they move to Spring Creek? Will they move to the 242/1488 area near-by? They have are options, but prefer and perhaps even demand the dense forest and the undergrowth near the lake where there is plenty of food. There, the parents teach the birds to catch small animals like rodents, squirrels, snakes, rabbits, and other small animals. There, they teach their young to fish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAMI8gufGlSvzbpH63O83Eo5yMpTvkeWsgvxTZuYdKi9uTJy9MEKWhj6vP1yyMWFcPavrbTNj9NMlijjgdB8VrMccOf5knQoITrx4MYSEPhdoc-9kSqyrxYOnyTmMfRGDtlR-3FBAvTU/s1600/IMG_5332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAMI8gufGlSvzbpH63O83Eo5yMpTvkeWsgvxTZuYdKi9uTJy9MEKWhj6vP1yyMWFcPavrbTNj9NMlijjgdB8VrMccOf5knQoITrx4MYSEPhdoc-9kSqyrxYOnyTmMfRGDtlR-3FBAvTU/s320/IMG_5332.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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The preservation of their habitation is an opportunity for an organization and/or the developer. With pride, the residents of The Woodlands speak about our community - we have the Bald Eagle right here among us! Wouldn't it be great if we had something for our nearly useless boats on the waterway to observe from the boats, like an Eagle's habitat? We have an opportunity, but we can't see a vision by the development company to develop based on the natural ecology. The Woodlands is unique but it is becoming less so as the developer continues to displace its strengths and values with the developers' own vision of what those strengths and values should be.This is typical of development everywhere. There remains hope for these birds, as slim as it may be. Savvy business people know that you should leverage the strengths you have and build on it, not try to make it something else. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNIEXXkXz81JXdWaYSrw_TmPD9PoaqhwrnzuJ9wyZlNlTuhrW3fhwmSlfEfS3HUwEoIDb-HWtmEhEW83W7IRwpR5f4y1vmVjT6WC9dxrLB76sscO11nat7fGRGdMNKJ2CMFN3ISfbLUU/s1600/IMG_5360-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNIEXXkXz81JXdWaYSrw_TmPD9PoaqhwrnzuJ9wyZlNlTuhrW3fhwmSlfEfS3HUwEoIDb-HWtmEhEW83W7IRwpR5f4y1vmVjT6WC9dxrLB76sscO11nat7fGRGdMNKJ2CMFN3ISfbLUU/s320/IMG_5360-2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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The Woodlands maintains its parks for people, generally not for birds and animals (although it could be changing as I am working with others on a project to place Bluebird houses in the parks). People are not compatible with these large shy birds of prey. The Eagles are not birds which tolerate "tourists" who infringe on their hunting territory. To provide a safe place for their eaglets, they require a family atmosphere away from human threat. They need their space and a natural environment to fly, hunt and care for their little ones. We residents do get the thrill of seeing and hearing these birds in the Spring and early Summer. This year I hope to do some observations with a spotting scope. Meanwhile, I wanted to share this year's photographs with my readers. These photos were taken here in The Woodlands in December 2010 with careful consideration and respect for the birds' privacy before their eggs hatched.<br />
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If you want to read past years' articles on this mating pair of Eagles, please refer to the links provided below.<br />
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<b><u>Other Commentary articles</u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2009/02/great-news-for-eagle-fans-woodlands.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great News for Eagle Fans - Woodlands Texas</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">(2009)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; line-height: 25px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 25px;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2010/03/magnificant-eagle-downed-by-mans.html">A Magnificant Eagle downed by man's neglect to care</a> (2010)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_480975008"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2010/02/family-life-of-bald-eagle.html">Family life of a Bald Eagle</a> (2010)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2010/02/baby-eagle-wild-and-free-from-start.html">The Baby Eagle - wild and free from the start</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">(2010)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;">5.</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2010/02/is-eagle-dangerous.html">Is an Eagle Dangerous?</a> (2010)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2010/02/call-of-wild-eagle.html">Call of the Wild eagle </a>(2010)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2009/04/and-woodlands-eagles-fully-fledge.html">And the Woodlands Eagles fully fledge</a> (2009)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2009/03/and-eaglets-prepare-for-flying-lessons.html">And the Eagles prepare for Flying Lessons</a> (2009)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2009/03/eaglets-in-woodlands.html">Eaglets in The Woodlands</a> (2009)</span></span></div>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-2626898629670680272010-10-26T11:00:00.000-07:002011-03-01T15:25:48.642-08:00Tagging Monarch Butterfiles<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: purple;">Update 03/01/2011: so far there has not been any feedback on the location of these butterflies. Sometimes, information does not become available for as long as two years after tagging. I will follow up with an update if any information becomes available. </span><br />
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In my most recent butterfly count in Montgomery County Texas, our count team had the privilege of tagging 14 Monarch butterflies before their migration to Mexico. This year, there is a shortage of these insects due to cold conditions in Mexico last winter. It is a special year for tracking these beautiful creatures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi_fQBkBUlH9cTHrdFs6XWKjMYI2-qFDpkYSfk3c94l6O-uGe5-DulHV4w7p0qysIEWCxhYbdKdW3ZD8Gvyup5FNMyBO9bPpeP0ZpJSSqtU1LujpUnRRszdwBHnISRas6A67jRNP1YIw/s1600/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi_fQBkBUlH9cTHrdFs6XWKjMYI2-qFDpkYSfk3c94l6O-uGe5-DulHV4w7p0qysIEWCxhYbdKdW3ZD8Gvyup5FNMyBO9bPpeP0ZpJSSqtU1LujpUnRRszdwBHnISRas6A67jRNP1YIw/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
First we had to find and catch them. This attempt was successful. The Monarch was in flight about to land on this wall of flowers where it was captured.<br />
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Then a tag purchased from the NABA was carefully placed on the outside of the wing in a specific place. Each of us had the chance to tag a butterfly. I successfully tagged one. You have to be very careful not to harm the insect.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tagged Monarch</td></tr>
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The tag is uniquely numbered, so it is cataloged with the location, sex, and other pertinent information to enable an accurate record of its migration and/or ultimate destination if and when someone spots the tag and records the butterfly whereabouts. You can see the tag more clearly if you click on the photo. <br />
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Then the butterfly is put into a white mesh container which would eventually be opened to release the insects back into their habitat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don DuBois</td></tr>
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Our group leader, Don DuBois, organized this activity. He is a big local butterfly enthusiast.<br />
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On completion of the task, the tagged butterflies were released. We had two casualties of the 14 captured butterflies in the process. Well, actually one was given a splint in the hope it could make its journey, but the other will probably remain local and not survive the winter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch preparing to resume normal life </td></tr>
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A few just hung around for a while, not particularly anxious to fly off, but eventually got their wings and disappeared. Now we hope to hear the outcome and see if any are actually spotted in Mexico. <br />
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<a href="http://www.naba.org/">Link to the North American Butterfly Association (NABA)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.naba.org/chapters/nababest/">Link to the local chapter of NABA: Butterfly Enthusiasts of Southeast Texas - B.E.S.T.</a>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-7880053657083259722010-10-25T10:54:00.000-07:002010-10-26T16:04:02.637-07:00Identfying Butterflies in Montgomery County Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Each year, there are a number of butterfly counts sanctioned by the NABA (North American Butterfly Association) in Southeast Texas. This article is provided to help the novice identify common species in Southeast Texas. Identifying butterfly species is fulfilling but not exceptionally difficult.; in one outing, you may see the same species many times. It helps if you have some experience, but as a novice, you can identify species in these counts, even though you actually know little. Believe me, there must be an expert in the group to be able to count them efficiently and accurately, but every person available to assist in the process is appreciated. I know! I went cold turkey out in the field last year and found I could be a big help. I am a member of the local chapter of BEST, the local chapter of NABA, which organizes such activities in the Houston area. These counts are normally based only on observation; catching these insects in a net is normally undesirable and unnecessary. Those who have sharp eyes for subtle differences can see a butterfly at a distance and identify it as a specific species or subspecies. I am simply amazed at how they do it, but there are some rules of the road. Those who know their butterflies very well, know what species to expect in what ecology. So if we are observing these insects in an open field, a species is more likely to be seen than another that might like the shade of forest. Another way is to understand species of host plants and know what butterflies are attracted to which species. So it helps to know what species of plants are normally found in a particular location and conditions.<br />
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All photos in this article were taken on this one butterfly count in Montgomery County, Texas, just northwest of The Woodlands. Well-planted butterfly gardens will have abundance of the insects but other natural areas this year were much less abundant than last year. I am noting some late comers though on the open pond close to my home. <br />
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On this particular day, our group would also be catching Monarchs and tagging them. So we set out with nets and a cage to hold them. Our primary mission was to find how many species we could identify and in what abundance at benchmark locations. Our secondary mission was to capture Monarchs, then tag and release them for their subsequent journey to Mexico, where their discovery is recorded.<br />
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For all of North America, there were only 50 counts conducted in the Fall of 2009. Several of those were conducted right here by BEST. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in these events. This one was in our backyard, literally. A count covers an area having a diameter of 15 miles. Our area was north of FM 1488 and west of FM 2978. <br />
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I will give you some photos of common butterflies that were identified on this count. First a little background. There are six families of butterflies.<br />
<ol>
<li><u>Swallowtails </u>- generally large with distinctive prongs on their wings as "tails", e.g. Black Swallowtail</li>
<li> <u>Brush-footed</u> - generally has two pairs of legs. e.g., Monarch</li>
<li><u>Whites and Sulfurs</u> - soft distinct colors with colored markings, six legs, often seen "floating in the air". e.g., Orange Sulfur Butterfly</li>
<li><u>Gossamer-winged Butterflies</u> - medium to small butterflies which tend to shine in the sun and have colorful patterns on their wings. e.g., Gray Hairstreak Butterfly</li>
<li> <u>Metalmark Butterflies</u> - not often if ever seen here. They are a tropical variety and beautifully colored. </li>
<li><u>Skippers </u>- quite different from other butterflies, there are many species. They are short and stubby looking and move quickly about when they feed, "skipping" from flower to flower. e.g.,Fiery Skipper </li>
</ol>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Hairstreak</td></tr>
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This Gray Hairstreak is abundant and widespread throughout this continent. You are likely to find it in the sun amidst a home garden such as this one.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Hairstreak</td></tr>
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This Gray Hairstreak was spotted in another location , appearing a bit different in different light. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Cloudywing Skipper</td></tr>
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The Southern Cloudywing Skipper uses the same plant for a host as the Gray Hairstreak, Bush Clover.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiery Skipper male</td></tr>
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The Fiery Skipper was the most common butterfly in all in our counts.
Gardens were simply swarming with them. Several varieties of grasses
serve as hosts, especially Bermuda.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moth</td></tr>
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I have added this because what may appear as a butterfly, can easily turn into being a moth. There is a distinct difference between the two. The wing structure is totally different so they fly differently.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Buckeye</td></tr>
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The Buckeye is quite common all over the United States. I saw a few of these this trip but in Trinity County, saw many. They love the sun will utilize several types of plants as hosts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duskywing Butterfly</td></tr>
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This butterfly looks very plain when its wings are folded back but when spread out, it comes alive in brown colors. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Stripe Long-tailed Skipper</td></tr>
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A readily identifiable skipper that has a tail on its wings similar to the Swallowtails.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Striped Long-tailed Skipper </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Broken Dash</td></tr>
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Note the small white marks on the wings. It is best to have a pair of binoculars when identifying butterflies. No one could identify this except one person in our group. We had an expert of the skipper family with us on this outing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Skipper</td></tr>
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This photo provides better markings of the Clouded Skipper and a view of the wing structure of the skipper family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Sulfur</td></tr>
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The Orange and Little Sulfurs are similar. One typically sees the Little Sulfur on the ground but the Orange Sulfur stays on the plants. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnvsJwRJLBhcTIiXjz70YfrIIZUXgCptp-PhoShmVygIIIRNWXKwkw0Nju_mrZGT2vQTl-3znZDEMEreDcgrlzvbtAwMSb1Q7-Ahw_HE19fQ9CrYqFlrzY-HIr9k_1UlW2__1SKfP3Xs/s1600/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Sulfur</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYprx9_rxy1gQ_cR0MIT-j8x0HW2M-17FEFiDXsvER3AtjnstPahJBw0Clnoff9ozSJqsLVd1KkCgw3BPZm4I5B4FkMQ75nnGUCnpdoh8SM1OKLJob-Fe1gWxSOJvgSJE5uw-jAhFz9s/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3496.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloudless Sulfur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilxkS2YyeUH1Cu7cUlXXS0qY0W9UJw0aqoBwooe3palwzD7bW0xDsRq2Bj24w4IzDxtyZ7MiG1z0D4olXwmGdcbc3kDuY4-Dhbay9rvnLB5XMPxVYSfSPwnn3wqcGQzd_HNoYuXEO84g/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3454-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Purple Hairstreak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Not so common is the Great Purple Hairstreak, but we found several in one backyard that we visited. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBntEtE51wbQbff1vZtHZhfHzNg6qbflAOp-qwe0yOcK2MGksdhegWf82jfdZqHUL63Ksvp2Apc4pU89_65QjTDORMSK7wjDYcBKcfQV5YsD_Xx58Wn-D13Jsuceiql1djJghSnsDfm8/s320/Butterflies-6963.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulf Fritillary female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This butterfly is often called the Passion Flower Butterfly, because its host is the Passion Vine. There is a native species of the plant, but you will often find another variety sold at nurseries. The native species lays close to the ground. Their leaves are very similar, but their flowers and climbing characteristics are different.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgped7vc_d6t3bkmZvmxK3gsgXdYFrhKhDF05P5PGutOK7wEKsXfJODuAqF5luXz7uDtXTpBjn81VwcYHixVVR6uMOERBiP02TKqCZOPGR3fGHc0gkWCt0vME7-0TAejxNHzUdFrN4g-Fs/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3482.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulf Fritillary male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One of the amazing features of the Gulf Frit is its underwing. It is elaborate and shiny, resembling a masterpiece creation of the orient, such as with inlaid oyster shell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiMYPMKhzsL2KxSLnSW9lmWLtqslPgxyi19r2pdRaknmpr9ewjdMKz86AKh_gbBUaVmvrkIiUvsxQlYk6xOQrlADWzu_SihydWqyTP-tQmlmHYW_AUkCOXZfhY2YgmbC9GNeIJ0ADWWI/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3474.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Emperor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Another beautiful creature but less brilliant than some of the others. As you might guess by looking at it, it prefers the woody areas, especially on the edge of the forest where it blends into its habitat quite safely. It feeds more on sap and fruits, rarely on flower nectar. Its host is the Hackberry Tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_rvZ_KwfPzNEzInHvtJ7hRV3xEFtMt-0WKWf-GrZWEtMJrXDR-7BpRfv1SkfrRsUWgZYeO1s_JVrZI8dzYrGoV5-EQQLUouohrTX8yl1o6eKBXkIUJ4lzhguHx3w5sFHnrxCcNtmLEc/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3515.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I know; it looks like a Monarch. Well, although related, the Queen is smaller, darker and very beautiful. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIOrNZzM9MM4TYnOtPDqorn-3AjsErZqwMRUMkfWb439z5YkNQyBkxaDc_hvbG-uYm_d5jXUz3X-cT3n6c3AycIBaKUIEQg77s69Kt9T2HtwaleNNQVSYVwnM1h6IWeDGEbS3IF2cX7I/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3520.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Snout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One of the woody butterflies. This one normally blends in with its habitat by perching on tree limbs. I caught this one on a leaf, so that it could be seen clearly. It is a little blurred but you get the idea of this unusual butterfly. They migrate in mass in the fall, similar to the Monarch. Their host plant is the Hackberry tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3aBb1QvaKrU1Y-XD9tT5RJU0HwVg_ntR8BtSAv4IRLpUwvjwZd53eMas_ItI7BNS5heupVcVnmOn_ZvrrDThg8UDAVU9OcsjSKnCz7LNfHIK6KpDo4XLqXNTkxb9Tt-fBKSb6O4FRK0/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3522.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Checkered Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Moderately common here. Prefers sunny warm habitats. Host is Shepherd's Needles among flowering plants.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1PYuHAkJXHEHf3Qdu7xvD3B0GjwDum1tLWyUWB_W4kZtd5rymztLJ75daiYrz8QvlSXzlqKVzr_NT0CJng28L_BiP1t_AdAyszQsITicWioZefbQWVuAIwHjzs4u6mIzK8O8BWc81yA/s320/Montco+Butterfly+count+2010-3582.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This may be the one butterfly that almost everyone knows and can readily identify, except they get it mixed up with the Queen and other relatives. The Milkweed plant is its host. There is a fear that this butterfly will be extinct in 30 years due to illegal logging in Mexico and the dwindling habitats north of Mexico. Our reality is that the population will decline but not be quite as threatened as some conservationists believe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwu4B7ijBQDzqqScjyoW5xQBiOLsoIsobTfbmfBXKRV5YhGqMzbmPjdJxF1lJ9LH2cjyjnINNiEvzpRJncc4YbJLMXW6Eq1coQOkHDSFZCy4fKZiokbmmlzDsSN_-1zPJs1tbm9e7MgU/s400/2010+Magnolia+Count.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly Count Team left to right: <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Steve
Abbey & Z Anglin, Carol & Ken Fraser (Back row), Randy Scott, Pat Lee, Farrar
Stockton, Ednelza Henderson, Diane Cabiness, Hugh Wedgeworth, Diane Milano.</span></span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<u><b>Results of the count </b></u><br />
Total species: 52<br />
Total individuals: 842<br />
<u>Counts</u><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 366px;"><col style="width: 99pt;" width="132"></col>
<col style="width: 27pt;" width="36"></col>
<col style="width: 122pt;" width="162"></col>
<col style="width: 27pt;" width="36"></col>
<tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!B5:B11">Pipevine Swallowtail</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; width: 27pt;" width="36">13</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!D5:D6">Red-spotted Purple</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; width: 27pt;" width="36"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Polydamas Swallowtail</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Viceroy</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Black Swallowtail</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!D7">Goatweed Leafwing</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Giant Swallowtail</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!D8:D9">Hackberry Emperor</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Eastern Tiger Swallowtail</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Tawny
Emperor</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Spicebush Swallowtail</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Northern
Pearly-eye</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Palamedes Swallowtail</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">8</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!D11:D15">Southern Pearly-eye</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!B12:B15">Cabbage White</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Creole
Pearly-eye</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Checkered White</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Gemmed
Satyr</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Great Southern White</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Carolina
Satyr</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Falcate Orangetip</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Little
Wood-Satyr</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!B16:B24">Orange Sulphur</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!D16:D17">Monarch</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">34</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Southern Dogface</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Queen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Clouded Sulphur</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Silver-spotted
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Cloudless Sulphur</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">70</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">White-striped
Longtail</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">12</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Orange-barred Sulphur</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Long-tailed
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Large Orange Sulphur</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Southern
Cloudywing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Little Yellow</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">18</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Northern
Cloudywing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Sleepy Orange</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">10</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Confused
Cloudywing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Dainty Sulphur</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Glassy-winged
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!B25:B36">Great Purple Hairstreak</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Juvenal's
Duskywing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Soapberry Hairstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Horace's
Duskywing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Banded Hairstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Funereal
Duskywing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Striped Hairstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Wild
Indigo Duskywing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Northern' Oak Hairstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Common
Checkered-Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">18</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Henry's Elfin</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Tropical
Checkered-Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Eastern Pine Elfin</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Laviana
White-Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Olive' Juniper Hairstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Turk's-cap
White-Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">White M Hairstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Swarthy
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Gray Hairstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">16</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Julia's
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Red-banded Hairstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Neamathla
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Dusky-blue Groundstreak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Clouded
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">37</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!B37:B41">Ceraunus Blue</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Least
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Reakirt's Blue</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Southern
Skipperling</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Eastern Tailed-Blue</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Fiery
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">249</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Spring' Spring Azure</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Whirlabout</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Summer' Spring Azure</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Southern
Broken-Dash</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!B42">American Snout</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Northern
Broken-Dash</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!B43:B44">Gulf Fritillary</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">60</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Little
Glassywing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Zebra Heliconian</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Sachem</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Variegated Fritillary</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Yehl
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Silvery Checkerspot</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Broad-winged
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1858955802970847273&postID=788005365708325972" name="RANGE!B47:B56">Texan Crescent</a></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Dun
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">21</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Phaon Crescent</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Lace-winged
Roadside-Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Pearl Crescent</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Common
Roadside-Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Question Mark</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Celia's
Roadside-Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Eastern Comma</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Eufala
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">11</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Mourning Cloak</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Twin-spot
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">American Lady</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">10</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Brazilian
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Painted Lady</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162">Ocola
Skipper</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">Red Admiral</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 122pt;" width="162"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 11.25pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="15" style="border-top: medium none; height: 11.25pt; width: 99pt;" width="132">CommonBuckeye </td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;">130</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td><td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td><td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td><td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td><td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></td><td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></td><td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><u>Online Resources </u></b><br />
1.<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/81"> Identifying Bugs - I like this site but it needs some more depth</a><br />
2. <a href="http://www.naba.org/chapters/nababest/">B.E.S.T. - Houston Butterfly chapter of NABA </a><br />
3. <a href="http://www.naba.org/">North American Butterfly Association</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Related Commentary Articles:</b><br />
1. <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2010/10/tagging-monarch-butterfiles.html">Tagging of the Monarch </a><br />
2. <a href="http://thewoodlandsparks.blogspot.com/2009/10/trinity-river-national-wildlife-refuge.html">Trinity River National Wildlife Park (2009 butterfly count)</a><br />indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-54183142468370969672010-10-01T16:19:00.000-07:002010-10-01T16:19:32.267-07:00Red-Tailed Hawk : an amazing inhabitant of our forestsIts a B-52! No, it's a huge bird! The shadow of a large winged creature in the evening made this neighborhood in The Woodlands Texas, in the East Texas forest system, stand up and pay attention. The bird swooped down to about eight feet off the ground, so I ducked. What in the world was going on? Our neighborhood had been attacked by this squirrel hunter? It came in for a landing, but the question is, was it looking for a squirrel or the pet rabbit across the street? Maybe my little Toy Terrier?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqETROy01f8MY044bz-YovD4zxzkIKuhisz_nq-dnff7sMnaITIyzv6v6bkjvdwsYwhsZDBMGw1O-Cp3X4sExatdW3y9m9u5DdwgOaAeOMR4YmbsfYqWGhNSNhleE8AuqKxTfwCGpXNys/s400/Hawks+92-3107.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In flight to reach the position he seeks in a tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So majestic, so swift, so powerful! This bird of prey is a natural inhabitant of our forest. He chases a Grey Squirrel up a a tree by going to a limb below the squirrel. The squirrel escapes by going up the tree, seeking refuge from this feared enemy. That is exactly what this bird wants the squirrel to do. On a large Pine Tree, the squirrel moves up and so does the hawk. This happens repeatedly until the squirrel has no place to go. Then this hunter goes in for a swift capture in his talons.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 60-70 feet high overlooking his domain</td></tr>
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The Red-Tailed Hawk is a beautiful bird and a welcome resident of the forest. He is welcome here as well, on a residential street of The Woodlands. Yes, he casts a large shadow with his 3.5-4.5 foot wingspan. Just think! His wings stretch out the height of a human. He lives for 20+ years, so he is our neighbor and friend for much of our life if we stay here. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mated Red-Tailed Hawk adults</td></tr>
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On this day, we saw no prey being taken, but there were suddenly two birds i the tree. I have reason to believe they have been nesting nearby in a tall Pine. I particularly like their hunting ability of rats and mice. We need them as well as Coyotes and Owls to control the tree rat population here. They will also feed on rabbits and any small creature. They are not likely to be hunting cats or dogs. If you see one close to you, you are quite lucky. One landed on our fence once. The photo turned out poor so I never show it. I am very thankful on this day for this observation of such a beautiful creature. I wish I could have given you better photos, but this will have to do for now.indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-67250561253236205672010-06-12T08:00:00.000-07:002010-06-12T08:00:03.685-07:00Summer - time to catch a giant fish!<br />
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</style><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">David lives in Glenloch Farms near The Woodlands, Texas. On this Saturday, his dad brought him out to do a little summertime fishing. Sure it is hot, but the fish are in the water, and the water has not yet reached the temperatures to push them to the cooler depths. I heard David yelling in excitement. "Dad, this fish is huge!". His pole was bent over and he was struggling to keep the fish on his hook. His dad brought the net and held the rod while David reaped the fruit of his labor. Now this was a prize and I just happened to be there to photograph the event. Thanks to these visitors to The Woodlands, I am able to show what is happening today on our ponds. Congratulations on a nice catch! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ponds
in The Woodlands, like the other ponds in Southeast Texas, usually
contain Large Mouth Bass and Blue Gill perch among other varieties.
Sometimes, there will be catfish and crappie also. The food chain is
typically mosquito larvae, bugs, mosquito fish, worms, perch, and bass.
Crayfish and frogs also play a role in the food chain, especially for
bass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Like fishermen usually do,this boy gladly followed the rules of the park system and returned this fish to its home, hopefully to spawn next spring or even be caught a few times more. Fish get smarter after being caught, more wise in what to eat and what not to eat. </span>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-12207617853919089002010-06-11T15:00:00.000-07:002010-06-12T06:22:56.067-07:00Down on the pond - the jewels of the forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you ever given any thought to being a dragonfly watcher? Here in The Woodlands, like almost anywhere there is water, summer is dragonfly time! People talk readily about the popular outings of bird watchers, but you don't hear too much about Butterfly or Dragonfly watching. Dragonflies are interesting creatures. If you have the imagination of a child like I sometimes do, you know that this creature can be seen in a mysterious light. Check my story for children on the topic. It's not for children, it is for us too. We need to let our minds be open. Adults really do not need children to unlock their brains. I can definitely say however that children have been a key ingredient in my life to allow to see what I have lost over time, the ability to see the truth and beyond in nature.<br />
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Damselflies are usually less seen. Look at the wings placement that gives it the unique characteristic, readily identifying it. I looked for one today and found it quickly, but staying more in the background and away from the shore. <br />
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Have you ever imagined why the Dragonfly is just sitting there overlooking the water? Have you watched what they do with territorial struggles? Do you know why they are near ponds? Clue - it's summertime. These jeweled creatures hunt mosquitoes. In metamorphosis, they start their lives hatching from eggs on plants above the water and are first creatures of the water. During this stage, they eat mosquito larvae. Also they are a natural food source for baby fish. After the metamorphic change, they become creatures of the air, with jeweled wings that move independently. A Dragonfly can move what seems to be faster than a bullet, certainly faster than the human eye can detect. The Damselfly is a close cousin but cannot fly as well.<br />
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If a male mates a female in another males territory, the dominant male can remove the sperm of the intruder to ensure his offspring is only his offspring. He also usually plays a role in making sure the female deposits her (his offspring) eggs in his territory.<br />
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There are a number of varieties and colors on our ponds. Take time to observe them and seek them out. Taking your children out on a Dragonfly hunt is a great deal of fun. Listen to them and their questions. <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0892.pdf">Read the article at this link</a> and <a href="http://thewoodlandsforest.blogspot.com/2008/06/woodlands-reedy-pond-artificial-flood.html">read this story</a> that I wrote a couple of years ago. Then put your own story together. Be imaginative. That is what your children will do. Enjoy the moment. I guess I am just a child at heart, aren't you? <br />
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<br />indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-72344656338568404762010-03-07T13:46:00.000-08:002010-03-07T13:53:38.889-08:00Big Brown Bat - our neighborhood night flyer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I ran across a Big Brown Bat on the street last night, right at dusk. It had apparently escaped the talons of an owl, punctured in the chest by a talon. It soon died on the street after trying valiantly to recover and fly off. I feared it could have rabies, like many residents tend to do, so I ran home and got my camera and some gloves and something to carry the animal. On my return to the site, it had already died, looking more like a glob of mud on the ground than a mammal. I did retrieve the bat, placed it in a bag and took it home. <br />
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After calling agencies to find out the appropriate action I should take, it became apparent that no one of authority was concerned about rabies nor was there any advice except to bury the creature. Rabies is not as prevalent in bats as we might think. That is what makes the news, but the risk is not so much a reality. So after calling, I took a few photos and buried the creature. <br />
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The Big Brown Bat does not have prominent visible teeth like some bats. It is a very common bat species. It can number 1000 in one forest group. Here, there is no telling where its family might be, only that it should be very close-by, considering the time of day that I found it. I know of one home in this neighborhood that has a bat house attached to it. Maybe that was its habitat.<br />
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Our forests are amazing. They contain a large diversity of animals and plants.indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-80875495981125886222010-03-05T20:54:00.000-08:002010-03-05T20:56:02.501-08:00A Magnificant Eagle downed by man's neglect to care<i>This story by Annette King Tucker touched me deeply. I hope it reaches you in the same manner as I. The next time I am trying to rid my home of tree rats, </i><i>I will be more cautious!</i><i> Will you?</i> <br />
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What an honor it was on Saturday November 7th to be called upon by State authorities to care for one of our Nation's greatest treasures. This majestic bird was not only impressive to look at, but his presence actually seemed to change the climate in our wildlife clinic. It became "sacred ground" for awhile, and I could not have been more humbled to have been handed such a trust. I have never touched an Eagle, and here I was examining his massive body, running my fingers along his wing bones checking for breaks, opening the impressive beak looking for evidence of problems. I was shaking. The pressure to save his life was tangible, and the responsibility was overwhelming. <br />
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After finding no physical injuries, I clearly felt this eagle was fighting an internal battle. His breathing was slightly labored and he was somewhat thin, but in relatively good flesh. The thought of a poisoning came to mind, and struck a familiar chord of fear in me. Animals who ingest other animals dying from rodent poison fall victim to the same fate, but a far slower death would come. It would be too late to save this eagle if that were the case. From the tattered state of his tail, he had been on the ground for a few days at least. I had hope that I was wrong and this was a lung infection and nothing more. <br />
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"Spirit" as we called him, began to recover immediately. Although he was rejecting food, we continued to treat him for an infection and for a crop that had clearly shut down and had become rancid. We gave him some medication, and the listless bird turned around for us overnight. The treatments were working, and he began standing strong with his wings tucked away properly. He began to drink water on his own and was vocalizing from time to time. We gave him privacy and avoided handling him except for necessary cage changing. He was extremely cooperative with me for all of his treatments. I kept him confined so that I could medicate him quickly and avoid undue stress. He was an ideal patient, until yesterday. <br />
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Although he had passed all inspections for progress yesterday morning, by afternoon something had gone horribly wrong. Spirit was suddenly gasping for breath, and he was distressed. We didn't hesitate. We immediately took him to our veterinarian, Doctor Lesleigh Cash of Hooves Paws and Claws in Claremore. <br />
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Life support was given to no avail. His decline was sudden and unstoppable as his body began to shut down. Spirit had been showing the tell tale signs of rodent poisoning and was treated for such, but his progress had given us hope for a miracle. This condition is always fatal for wildlife as we do not get them until the toxins are well absorbed and the animals are unable to avoid being captured. People who use poison for rodents do not realize that they do not die immediately. They are likely to wander aimlessly for hours, becoming easy prey to hungry wildlife and domestic pets. I have cared for dozens of poisoned wild animals in my 14 years as a wildlife care specialist. I've saved none of them. <br />
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Last night I brought our beautiful bird back to my wildlife clinic, his empty cage standing before me, his lifeless body in my arms. Ceremoniously, I wrapped him in an American flag and lay my head on him with tremendous pain and regret. I thanked him for allowing me the hope of his recovery, and for fighting with us, as hard as we did, even though recovery was impossible. I apologized to him for the tragedy of his death, and the cruel contribution from my own species to his suffering. What an incredible animal! What Spirit! He will be picked up by a Federal wildlife agent soon and handed over to a Native American eagle feather program who will use his feathers with great respect and honor. <br />
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We at Wild Heart Ranch dedicate our lives to improve the lives of thousands of our original Americans, the wildlife with whom we share space. We feel this is part of our responsibility as the dominate species, to assist those creatures who are helpless against the infringement of people into their lives, and without care when tragedy finds them. We ask that out of respect for those who have no voice, that the use of poisons be rethought when dealing with rodents. There are other ways to cope that create no other victims. I would have rather never touched an American Eagle, than to have had one die in my arms yesterday. This could have been avoided, and I feel it is our duty to change our ways to avoid such a needless and devastating loss. <br />
<br />
We thought of our soldiers away from home in the bold and revered Spirit of an eagle that for a few brief days, touched the honored few who shared space with him. God speed. We are forever changed. We wish we could have released him to honor you all. <br />
<br />
As I look for ways to expand our facility to provide more suitable and substantial means to care for these animals, I will take with me each day the motivation I felt to save just one; the eagle that didn't fly. He represents all of them to me, as well as all of us. It is time for change, and it is time to do more for others and to be better Americans, even if it just means opting for mouse traps instead of bait. <br />
<br />
A few photos were taken at the few times we handled Spirit. They are now my treasures. I wanted to share his majesty and his story. I couldn't allow him to go without leaving something behind for us to learn. <br />
<br />
God Bless. <br />
Annette King Tucker Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue <br />
<a href="http://www.wildheartranch.org/">www.wildheartranch.org</a> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-62787543237184211242010-03-05T20:30:00.000-08:002010-03-05T20:30:05.726-08:00If you find a fawn ...<o:smarttagtype name="PlaceType" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="PlaceName" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><style>
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The grass is turning green, the flowers are starting to bloom and in
the Montgomery County area, babies are being born to wild creatures. <br />
<br />
Friends of Texas Wildlife is a non-profit organization that rehabilitates
orphaned and injured wildlife. It is often called upon to help what appears to
be an orphaned fawn when, in actuality, it’s not orphaned at all. Fawns are
often left alone for several hours while the mother is looking for food. Here
are some tips to help you recognize if a fawn needs help. If a fawn is obviously
ill, lying on its side, kicking, crying or is covered with fire ants, pick it up
and place it in a box or animal carrier. A light cloth placed over the animal's
head will sometimes calm it. Keep it away from pets and all human activity.
Petting the fawn, talking to it or holding it does not comfort it. This is a
wild animal. Human voices, odor and touch only add to the stress and will cause
additional harm. <b>DO NOT FEED THE FAWN ANYTHING</b>.<b> Call Friends of Texas
Wildlife</b> at once for help.<br />
<br />
If an uninjured fawn is seen, leave it alone and leave the area. The fawn
would not be there if the doe were not nearby. You will not see her mother. She will
return for the fawn only when there are no humans near. If you have removed
the fawn from its resting spot, TAKE IT BACK AT ONCE and walk away. The doe will be searching for her fawn and
will accept it even with human scent on it.<br />
<br />
In general, it is not a good idea to make a wild animal your pet. Not only is it not fair to the
animal, it is against the law. According to Chapter 63, Section 63.002 of the
Parks and Wildlife Code, no person can possess a live game animal (deer are game animals) for any
purpose not authorized by their code. The first offense for illegal possession
of a live deer is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 plus
court costs. There are similar laws for possession of other animals such as
raccoons.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWydbSUR3Qtr5Km-5vBIwb-KgpNiJ2A5HrU32yMhi6z_PZ1a7pEBIFeSRY5TeLm2UwvXd8lACZBU23OBr4bz3GLYjVZ2m159OLwgc8cQTtcYarILlpV8BFwKWjtDG83q8rhGRmdnXGoY8/s1600-h/Fawn+with+collar+and+leash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWydbSUR3Qtr5Km-5vBIwb-KgpNiJ2A5HrU32yMhi6z_PZ1a7pEBIFeSRY5TeLm2UwvXd8lACZBU23OBr4bz3GLYjVZ2m159OLwgc8cQTtcYarILlpV8BFwKWjtDG83q8rhGRmdnXGoY8/s400/Fawn+with+collar+and+leash.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The picture you see was taken in someone’s yard in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Windcrest</st1:placename></st1:place>
subdivision off of FM 1488. Apparently, someone thought this fawn was abandoned
and decided to make it their pet. After it was collared and leased, it escaped
and was seen running throughout the subdivision. Its chances of survival in such incidents are
extremely slim unless captured and turned over to a permitted wildlife
rehabilitator.<br />
<br />
If you have questions about what to do if you find an animal in your area or
even in your attic, call FRIENDS OF TEXAS WILDLIFE at 281-259-0039 or check their
website at <a href="http://www.friendsoftexaswildlife.org/">www.friendsoftexaswildlife.org</a>.<br />
<br />
My
neighbor once found such a fawn here in The Woodlands. He brought the
animal for all to see in the cul-de-sac. It was found in a green area
on the other side of his fence. It did not move when his dog kept
barking at it. So my neighbor reached over the fence and [picked it up.
It came alive and fought back. It was only obeying its mother to stay
there until she returned. I asked him to return it, as advised by
Friends of Texas Wildlife. We never knew the final disposition of the
creature, but I suspect its mother returned to fetch it.indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-31606537837872674902010-02-19T13:10:00.000-08:002010-02-19T13:18:42.098-08:00The Baby Eagle - wild and free from the start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAGzDXO_7x5nL_jYenu2-xzQdQcxlgxWIbRVarEvDwMBADdH3Q09IfqxDzn2vna5nqtwAPNEDU_j4fvhjygwNsccn_fA1g9C2t2KF6jY-kVLA3QTv6XWmzQzPgBe9KuQtNKr4ctJXqSM/s1600-h/Eaglet+in+Nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAGzDXO_7x5nL_jYenu2-xzQdQcxlgxWIbRVarEvDwMBADdH3Q09IfqxDzn2vna5nqtwAPNEDU_j4fvhjygwNsccn_fA1g9C2t2KF6jY-kVLA3QTv6XWmzQzPgBe9KuQtNKr4ctJXqSM/s200/Eaglet+in+Nest.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
An Eaglet is wild from the start. Think a second about its life. It hatched in January, about the coldest time of the year in this nesting territory. It is a carnivorous creature from day one. At the start, the parents kill the creature it brings to the nest, but after a while, doesn't bother anymore. An eaglet tears the meat with its sharp beak and claws, then gulps it down.<br />
<br />
Although I do not have a photo of that process, I have witnessed it. The meat is tossed in the nest and the eaglets feed off of it for a fairly long period of time, if its food is of any significant size. For example, it could be eating possum, rat, fish, cat, rabbit or dog for dinner. The parent can pick up and carry a 10 pound animal to the nest.<br />
<br />
This baby bird is about 4 weeks old in my estimate. It is very interested in what is found outside of the nest, inquiring on everything that is happening in the forest. He is aware that I am near; his parents have warned him. The glow in his eyes seem to indicate his desire already to leave the nest and fly free. Freedom rings in the Eagle. His posture is exactly that of a grown bird - one of astuteness, overseer, ruler of the forest, serious and highly perceptive, with far reaching eyesight.<br />
<br />
I think it is worth an extra click to see the full size photo.indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-11231483913212713932010-02-16T20:42:00.000-08:002010-02-18T08:35:26.148-08:00Cedar Waxwing just passing through Southeast Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrwiJFsgEjWX_zvMc9JNJe31xADw5u2j0OE5pzBmlRpf_tQfIlERzCQQ_ES2ecwz-57S9Lfu1sir3G8AAPZWiAbsAxEGbs0Sg0QjYXZD-4es17W4k-bU08zteoUG1ZZmkKVGSP4FTpPI/s1600-h/IMG_9002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrwiJFsgEjWX_zvMc9JNJe31xADw5u2j0OE5pzBmlRpf_tQfIlERzCQQ_ES2ecwz-57S9Lfu1sir3G8AAPZWiAbsAxEGbs0Sg0QjYXZD-4es17W4k-bU08zteoUG1ZZmkKVGSP4FTpPI/s320/IMG_9002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Birds are in a hurry, but old man winter is not cooperating. It is migration time again, and we still have two more weeks of winter. The Yaupon do not wait however. Their berries are ripe, perfect for the Cedar Waxwings and Robins to eat. However, the squirrels were the early bird this year. With the drought last year, the berries were more important this year than normal to the squirrels. They have been eating them like crazy! Nevertheless, there are enough berries to go around. The arrival of the masses of this species is exact every year, about Valentines Day.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmpJra6VInJEP_713rwjAyuLO6giNGmbEzDkYaxjT066ALCBmv73KVk_ysPB7VltU8gGhjTKZpLH0T2IXvNjyw8pOhd0S0ylOJWL7mv857u8rGEyBXfEeu4XVCZXQ4NqeO5gS5h5I3-c/s1600-h/IMG_9045-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmpJra6VInJEP_713rwjAyuLO6giNGmbEzDkYaxjT066ALCBmv73KVk_ysPB7VltU8gGhjTKZpLH0T2IXvNjyw8pOhd0S0ylOJWL7mv857u8rGEyBXfEeu4XVCZXQ4NqeO5gS5h5I3-c/s320/IMG_9045-2.jpg" /></a></div>
Amazing enough their arrival is always coincident with the first blooming and little noticed elm tree. Using photographic equipment, we are able to see the two wonders of nature singing in concert this year for spring time! It is not quite time to nest but time to bloom! Waxwings have the itch, you might say but they take their time getting back home. They dilly dattle around on their way up north, in no hurry, partaking as they go. No food? Move on! Eventually they will reach their nesting sites, but they move as slow as Spring moves, but start very early. <br />
<br />
These birds are very social and chat or fuss at each other while feeding. They are accompanied by a hoard of Robins. And no, I have not seen the Robins after worms. Robins do search for berries on the ground under the Yaupons, trying to eat the crumbs left behind. I have plenty of worms in my backyard, but have yet to see one Robin in the spot where I raise the worms.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispnkMJPBh6TFaruyekEoAarUReid-KgJ-rRiTdBaiIIBU905y1AV9xN8X_SwsFB8-YyzQ8V01klNAO9I7RDFXl8tQDwIXUONWPNBTEPNkSr03tq47rXxMdL_7zJt8snHYw8Dwwj1t-a0/s1600-h/IMG_8986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispnkMJPBh6TFaruyekEoAarUReid-KgJ-rRiTdBaiIIBU905y1AV9xN8X_SwsFB8-YyzQ8V01klNAO9I7RDFXl8tQDwIXUONWPNBTEPNkSr03tq47rXxMdL_7zJt8snHYw8Dwwj1t-a0/s320/IMG_8986.jpg" /></a></div>
Eating berries in a tree is not an easy job, even if your body is made for it. The berries are in the most awful difficult places to reach, like on the very end of a branch. A squirrel will just cut the end of the branch off, but the birds must pluck each berry from the branches. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpP4uavWp6kY_jl_N1zGDOI_lDGTjKoL7ZxGyz6yA6hyYbtVMqldBFJH2yiEeuTgXKLcX-Lp3l39qGT_j5KTNUlzkZjwiMAayElhzsQefY90nItv3opVe1tL3EsfZD77hzCTGatJxxCA/s1600-h/IMG_8960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpP4uavWp6kY_jl_N1zGDOI_lDGTjKoL7ZxGyz6yA6hyYbtVMqldBFJH2yiEeuTgXKLcX-Lp3l39qGT_j5KTNUlzkZjwiMAayElhzsQefY90nItv3opVe1tL3EsfZD77hzCTGatJxxCA/s320/IMG_8960.jpg" /></a></div>
If you are persistent and play the game right, you are rewarded with the fruit of your labor.<br />
<br />
Now for the unusual habits of this bird. Yes, they are very active and they eat fruit, especially well known for their affinity to the berries of cedar and thus their name, they often are tipsy and a maybe little drunk to boot! After all, fruit ferments when the temperature warms up. Right now, the berries are rich in sugar and on warm days, expect them to contain fermented alcohol as well.The birds may fly into windows and do other "silly" unexpected things as a result of this phenomena. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5Q-pgxcthgBVBDvsXO1l-p9Ktty98kfUN0lUrLW6fB4oEaIy-d9llHIcOgWiu-nyJtA2h-GE8wPZ2w9HzU2nTEqqUmrWM9UzbJuupgnILEQm1oKW-5noRMSXMDA4a1cGl0QxLSL-2gY/s1600-h/IMG_9028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5Q-pgxcthgBVBDvsXO1l-p9Ktty98kfUN0lUrLW6fB4oEaIy-d9llHIcOgWiu-nyJtA2h-GE8wPZ2w9HzU2nTEqqUmrWM9UzbJuupgnILEQm1oKW-5noRMSXMDA4a1cGl0QxLSL-2gY/s320/IMG_9028.jpg" /></a></div>
These birds are fun to watch. Take some binoculars and watch them closely. These masked silky lively colored birds are out to have a good time in the forests of The Woodlands right now. They will soon be gone. Not cold lovers, they have been hesitant to move on north. These guys seem to be keeping warm today, all fluffed up in the north wind and looking toward the horizon for what is coming next. Bad news - arctic air will arrive again in just a few days.<br />
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Although some will migrate as far south as Costa Rica, most go no further than South Texas for the winter. That way they are closer to returning back to their summer home and can take the first flight home. To heck with the old saying about the Robin! Last one's home is a rotten egg! Thanks for the berries Woodlands! See ya at happy hour again next year! Meanwhile, on to the next bar down the road.indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-71766252930491658082010-02-09T06:57:00.000-08:002010-02-09T07:04:09.760-08:00Family life of a Bald Eagle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjApYcWwgHng6UCK5kwGaeve5cT3HHqhP6TCqz7jvDrZwWWSXbDfjaOSwKGK0WQHpFtdUAtL-6jRq0zAZnM4m-8RkApdBvuhL_Cf2snCyrIbE2XtrSZhLYO87RPG_zjcGKIx45XCPmI8/s1600-h/IMG_8846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjApYcWwgHng6UCK5kwGaeve5cT3HHqhP6TCqz7jvDrZwWWSXbDfjaOSwKGK0WQHpFtdUAtL-6jRq0zAZnM4m-8RkApdBvuhL_Cf2snCyrIbE2XtrSZhLYO87RPG_zjcGKIx45XCPmI8/s320/IMG_8846.jpg" /></a></div>
Observing a family over the past couple of years in the forest of East Texas, I have grown emotionally attached. I think many people see their responsibility for the diversity of life on our planet. As a co-resident of our planet, a human and an Eagle share instincts developed through natural survival evolution through the ages. In the Bible, we are told that man has the responsibility to care care for what God provided upon this planet. We are placed here to make sure his work is kept in tact. It is a huge responsibility that we carry on our shoulders.<br />
<br />
Take this Eagle family for an example of the human / creature
connection. The Eagle will tolerate human presence but its family life
is, after all, what is most important to him. Both male and female
share the responsibility of the nest. This youngster is being cared
for by one of its parents. After bringing a small animal to the nest,
the parent leaves the animal with the children in the nest. One of
the eaglets can be seen here in the nest. The parent has done the work,
provided food for the baby and now is enjoying the wind and warmth of
the sun, cleaning itself while being close to the eaglets in the nest.<br />
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<br />
Sometimes, a parent must just watch out for predators such as a vulture, owl or a tree climbing coon. Life is dedicated to raising the eaglets. Typically, we find two eaglets in each nest and the eagles will raise only one family each year. They arrive in late December and prefer to use an existing nest. It takes a lot of effort and time to build a new one from scratch. I have seen three nests for this couple over the years I have lived here. I am assuming the same birds are nesting at this spot but no one knows the age of the birds.<br />
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Duties as a sentry also requires flight over the neighborhood to see what may be on the ground and to observe any threats in the distance. Reconnaissance flights are also needed to find close and easily caught food. A parent is always close. Maybe we don't see them all the time, but they will fly at very high altitude to find food. They see us and we have no idea they are there. "Eagle eyes" are well known to be highly developed for long distance precise vision. Their hearing senses are also excellent. Each time I have walked through the forest near a nest, they appear after I hear some calls. (See the Call of the Eagle).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ru6pWhtaYl5GOBh5-s2EZYKsW1Y2ZIkx6hwg-IN9ueiQgQ0zfzftftXBvTTT1Rdwqe8ZCXlRjBHPjAqCP3hP-HC9dU-LIxng__ccMxhvP87tMkbhQkcgS69pLrYQN7qbz8NWCV0YMVM/s1600-h/IMG_8836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ru6pWhtaYl5GOBh5-s2EZYKsW1Y2ZIkx6hwg-IN9ueiQgQ0zfzftftXBvTTT1Rdwqe8ZCXlRjBHPjAqCP3hP-HC9dU-LIxng__ccMxhvP87tMkbhQkcgS69pLrYQN7qbz8NWCV0YMVM/s320/IMG_8836.jpg" /></a></div>
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So how attached are they to their young? This is one of the amazing features of the bird to me. After caring for them day and night in the nest, they then teach them to fly, catch their food and then raise families. This is accomplished over about two years. The eaglets will migrate with their parents to the north during the summer and learn the places and means to make the journey. Up north, they continue to learn how to fish and catch animals with the help of their parents. This is one of the few birds that migrates south for the winter to nest, so when December comes, they fly back with their parents, another lesson in making and surviving a journey back to their nesting habitat.<br />
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As a sentry, the bird does not care what direction it faces. He can see in all directions from one perch position. He can turn his head more than 180 degrees and has peripheral vision to boot! <br />
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I have seen one of last year's eaglets, not full grown adults but not yet with full color, near the nest. Staying close to mama and daddy, it is content to fish and hunt with them until time to migrate back north. Then it will likely fly alone or with his sibling as this family will be caring for the two new eaglets needing their full attention all the way back north. They may find nesting locations near here but not likely very close because one of the criteria is to have plenty of range for hunting, not too near other families. However, our area certainly has its possibilities, with the new Lake Paloma and tree stands on Spring Creek. A second family started nesting here last year. I do not have any information on that nest this year.<br />
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The Bald eagle is a tremendous example of a responsible parent to us, working hard to ensure the best outcome and life for their youngsters. The Bald Eagle is truly a survivor and has been coming back strong in recent decades as a genuine and respected resident of many communities like ours.<br />
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In Central Texas, near Austin, there is a nesting couple that can be seen from the highway through binoculars. It is far enough away to not be bothered by visitors, but clearly visible. If anyone wants to know where that nest is, I can provide the information. Visiting that nest will not impair the family life of those birds. Photography is feasible there with a long or strong zoom lens. indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858955802970847273.post-15762155269398863652010-02-08T13:24:00.000-08:002010-02-09T05:35:33.884-08:00Is an Eagle dangerous?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZG9GDBrAEUre6spjfxQXbym19TNx-b5EZrtbS7vHf5hlmv6ecUzAYkWupper4sXy7w5nC9OZWks2vLelPZBfxTK8ezH8gYYxh_NUI4UntM0F8h_5WDdGA0_faNknBIrEj7GWyAcsA-g/s1600-h/IMG_8882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZG9GDBrAEUre6spjfxQXbym19TNx-b5EZrtbS7vHf5hlmv6ecUzAYkWupper4sXy7w5nC9OZWks2vLelPZBfxTK8ezH8gYYxh_NUI4UntM0F8h_5WDdGA0_faNknBIrEj7GWyAcsA-g/s640/IMG_8882.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
With three Bald Eagles in my vicinity one day last week, and with one suddenly bearing down on me in the forest, I asked myself a simple question. Should I be here around their babies alone, without a witness or anyone to warn me of danger? So I came back to the computer to learn that there are a few recorded incidents, but mostly with children. The sharp talons of an Eagle are capable of inflicting damage but an adult human is more able to incapacitate an Eagle than a small child. It is highly unlikely that an Eagle would attack any human. Very few incidents have been recorded. Although the bird is huge, it does not weigh much. There are many incidents with an Eagle attacking small pets and they can carry rather heavy objects, a 15 pound dog, for example.<br />
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Seeing one flying directly towards you can give a person a strong rush! One is put into a state of awe while at the same time, sensing power and danger just moments away. The bird is super fast in the air and is incredibly skilled in its flight, dodging tree branches and flying in relatively small spaces, as affords the typical forest. </div>
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The bird leaves its position on a branch with little warning and no sound. Literally a moment, just a blink, it has totally disappeared right before your eyes. I never feel actually threatened, but can be a little uncomfortable when I know the Eagle is looking directly at me and assessing every move. So for my purpose here, I have to say that an Eagle is not dangerous. It knows man can hurt him and it prefers to stay out of the way. However, I would never ever threaten one of their babies!indianspringsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039507565333544019noreply@blogger.com0