Prairie Notes:
February 20, 2007
Trout Lilies are one of the most unusual plants that grow in Tandy Hills Nature Area, and they grow abundantly, here. They are a reminder that Spring is just around the corner. They are also a joy to behold. A trip to THNA can be an effective stress reducer. See below for details. 20 Point Stress Reduction Therapy Plan:
- Enter Tandy Hills Nature Area (easternmost trail near 3600 View St.) at approximately 5:30 PM in the next 2 - 3 weeks.
- Bring water and your inner child. (leave cell phone in vehicle)
- Walk in a northerly direction, down into the canyon until you reach the upper bottoms. (that's just above the lower bottoms)
- Take a left turn into and through the thicket (watch those briars!) until you reach the creek.
- Cross the creek and carefully climb up the embankment.
- Open your eyes wide and behold: A forest of Trout Lilies! (aka: White Dogs-tooth Violet) Erythronium albidum.
- Study carefully the nodding, 2" diameter flowers. Notice their exquisite, trumpetlike shape and their pale, violet color with intense yellow centers.
- Observe their distinctive, elliptic-lanceolate leaves, mottled in shades of purple, brown and pale green.
- Record this vision onto your memory banks for future reference.
- Proceed in a westerly direction, up the slope (stepping gingerly around those lilies) until you reach an open and gently sloping grassy meadow.
- Position your body horizontally and gaze skyward. Take a deep breath and release. Repeat as needed.
- Notice the flock of ducks flying south and/or that little raptor that patrols the park.
- Close your eyes for 2 minutes and imagine yourself floating up into the sky.
- Resume a vertical position and proceed up the slope towards the westernmost trail.
- Carefully observe the tall grass shot through with sunlight and the emerging spring flora at your feet.
- Notice the colorful, fading sunset as you approach the trail. Record for future reference.
- Walk slowly up the trail in a southerly direction toward View Street.
- Thank your lucky star that Tandy Hills Nature Area is protected from developers and gas drillers.
- Enter your vehicle with a profound sense of well being.
- Make a mental note to attend Fort Worth Prairie Fest on April 28 at Tandy Hills Nature Area.