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Stalking the Wild Trout Lily

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:

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