PICS & PROVERBS - 2024
Prairie Notes are monthly photo/journal observations from Tandy Hills Natural Area by Founder/Director, Don Young. They include field reports, flora and fauna sightings, and more, mixed with a scoop of dry humor and a bit of philosophy.
They are available free to all who get on the FOTHNA email list.
Pics & Proverbs - 2024
Prairie Notes #217
January 1, 2025
1) Pics & Proverbs - 2024
2) Your Membership Matters
3) Field Report - December
4) Notable New Species in 2024
5) 16th Annual Manly Men Wild Women Hike!
6) Videos of the Year - 2024
7) Volunteer of the Year - Suzanne Tuttle
8) SPECIAL EVENT Film Screening: NOCTURNES
9) Prairie Proverb - Robert Redford
01) Pics & Proverbs - 2024
With Tandy Hills more or less at rest, January is a good time to review and reflect on the past year via 2024's Prairie Proverbs and a few favorite pics from each of the past 12 issues of Prairie Notes.
For me, 2024 was the year of women. All 12 proverbs in 2024 were by inspiring women and their connection to the natural world. I made an extra effort to do that for two reasons: I noticed that most past proverbs were by men and I wanted to correct that. Secondly, as our world becomes increasingly threatened by toxic masculinity, I want to do everything I can to counter the old, tired ways of the past that threaten the Earth and its inhabitants.
The Proverbs are a mix of wise words from women who have changed the world for the better despite a patriarchal society making their lives and works more difficult. When possible, I try to match the proverb to fit the theme of the issue from Hildegard to Mother Earth.
Herewith, for your consideration, Prairie Proverbs I - XII from 2024, with photos of the quoted authors selected pics from the same issue and a link to that issue.
Scroll SLOWLY for best results. Please click on photos to see them full-size. Thanks for reading and for your continued support
DY
Prairie Notes #205, (Pics & Proverbs 2024) - January 1, 2024
“Glance at the Sun.
See the moon and stars.
Gaze at the beauty of the green Earth.
Now think.”
There was pink magic in the sky in late December, 2023..
Prairie Notes #206, (Not So Dainty Sulfurs) February 1, 2024
“To reconnect with nature is key if we want to save the planet.”
(Not so) Dainty Sulphur Butterfly (Nathalis iole)
Prairie Notes #207, (Art & Artists / Inspiration & Creation) March 1, 2024
“It was in the 1920s, when nobody had time to reflect, that I saw a still-life painting with a flower that was perfectly exquisite, but so small you really could not appreciate it. I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty.”
Winter landscape, February, 2024.
Prairie Notes #208, (Rhapsody In Blues) April 1, 2024
“What I learned in Luna is that, if we get to that place where we understand that God – or the Creation Source — is in all things and in all of us, we can see that we too are nature, that nature is in all of us. I learned in Luna that nature is not separate from us – we are nature just as surely as the earth is. I learned in the tree that nature is not ours to possess, rather that nature is ours to protect.”
Nothing but blue skies at Tandy Hills on March 22, 2024.
Prairie Notes 209, (A Trip to Bountiful BB Hill) May 1, 2024
“We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own - indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty and wonder.”
Engelmann’s Sage (Salvia engelmannii) and Stiff Greenthread (Thelesperma filifolium) make for a magic meadow
Prairie Notes #210, (Beaucoups of Basketflowers) June 1, 2024
“I paint flowers so they will not die.”
The Iconic Meadows were carpeted in Indian Blanket and Prairie Bishop creating an uncommonly beautiful landscape in the month of May.
Prairie Notes #211, (From the Vault: Summer of My Roadrunner) July 1, 2024
“We are not separate from the Earth, we are part of it. Our ancestors knew this, and it is time for us to remember.”
After a four year absence, a flock of Barn Swallows returned to Tandy Hills in 2024, feeding daily on the insect explosion after a wet spring.
Prairie Notes #212, (Liatris Land) August 1, 2024
“On this issue of the environment, it is going to be about rejecting false choices and suggesting that you’re either in favor of the economy or you’re in favor of the environment. That’s nonsense. That’s a false choice which we just reject. We can do both.”
Sunset on July 18, 2024, was a stunner. (photo by Greg Hughes)
Prairie Notes #213, (Drawn to the Light) September 1, 2024
“Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don’t you know.
Butterflies all havin’ fun, you know what I mean.
Sleep in peace when day is done, that’s what I mean.
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me.
And I’m feeling good”
“Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean…”. A snap photo of a buttermilk sky revealed a Dragonfly on closer observation.
Prairie Notes #214, (Burning Desire) October 1, 2024
“Not doing this will be a detriment to our community,” says Parker. “We need to protect the North Texas prairie, the tree canopy, and the trails. It’s not all about sticks and bricks and building; we want to create a place to raise kids.”
We had quite a few Monarch’s migrate thru in 2024
Prairie Notes #215, (The Ghosts of Tandy Hills) November 1, 2024
“Some call me Nature. Others call me Mother Nature. I’ve been here for more than 4.5 billion years. I don’t really need people. But people need me. Yes, your future depends on me. Your actions will determine your fate.”
A pumpkin-orange sunset view on a hot evening hike in late October. False Gaura, Little Bluestem Grass and Prairie Broomweed fill the foreground.
Prairie Notes #216, (In Retrospect - 2024) December 1, 2024
“I’m very serious about the fact we have to change our way of, living in order to live a more gentle way with the earth.”
November 8th: This striking cloud formation fooled some folks into thinking the prairie was on fire.
02) Your Membership Matters
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made donations in 2024. I also appreciate your confidence in me and Friends of Tandy Hills to stretch every dollar received to help fund our outdoor education and habitat restoration programs.
Special thanks to the FASH Foundation, David L. Tandy Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas, Eco Blossom Nursery, Harvey McGrann Trust, Boogie Brothers, Native Plant Society of Texas (NTX Chapter) and to 80+ individual or family donors, like you.
Your tax-deductible donations are gratefully accepted HERE: https://www.tandyhills.org/donate
03) Field Report - December
The December field report is all about the prescribed burn that we were not expecting until next year. (I was warned that there would be short notice.) But Phase 1 did happen on December 19th and went according to plan after months of planning and preparation. Team leader and Certified Burn Specialist, Jared Hall, directed his crew who did an outstanding job of burning the three View Street meadows totaling about 5 acres. These 5 acres are among the most biologically diverse in the state of Texas and a visual bounty.
Jared was accompanied by experienced crew members from the FW Nature Center & Refuge, the FW Fire Department’s Wildland Fire Team and Tandy Hills summer intern, Paige Priddy. Also, on hand as observers were, Michelle Villafranca, Suzanne Tuttle, Cody McCoy, Greg Hughes and Debora & Don Young.
It was a long time coming but worth the wait. Additional phases will happen early in 2025. Experts say we can expect a rejuvenated prairie this coming spring. See photos below and a drone video by the drone master, Brian Luenser, who we recruited on short notice. Click the photos for captions.
Post-burn notes: Just days after the burn, we received several inches of rainfall dispersing the grey-colored ash of last years wildflowers into the magical prairie soil. I got my first chance to get a close look at the posy-burned meadows on December 28th. My first impression was how starkly different the meadows look. I have photos and memories of them being so densely packed, hip-high with wildflowers, that the narrow trail was nearly impassable. Looking at them now it’s hard to believe they are the same meadows. I saw lots of field rat dens and their trails crisscrossing the meadow and many thousands of white snail shells. I also took the opportunity to pick up all the discarded bottles and other trash before the wildflowers get started. To that hopeful end, I saw a single Orange Sulphur butterfly, finding solace in an unburned patch. I see that as a good omen for the spring.
Get ready for a rejuvenated prairie in spring 2025.
04) Notable New Species in 2024
The species count was unchanged in December 2024. Below is a selection of some of the most interesting new species from 2024. As always, you can view all 2,262 species at the Tandy Hills iNat Project Page HERE.
Note: We did pass another milestone in December, reaching 25,000 observations on the iNaturalist website.
05) 16-th Annual Manly-Men Wild-Women Hike!
Celebrate your NEW year with a hike on the NEW trails at Tandy Hills. January 1, 2025 at 10 AM sharp. Be prepared. Follow the PINK ribbons. Check the LINK below for complete details. May the force be with you.
https://www.tandyhills.org/manly-men-and-wild-women-hike-hills
06) Videos of the Year - 2024
If you prefer moving pictures, six short videos showing the amazing diversity and wonderment of Tandy Hills were recorded throughout 2024. Access these and many other videos, HERE: https://www.tandyhills.org/video
07) Volunteer of the Year - Suzanne Tuttle
In her own quiet and disciplined way over the past 30 years, Suzanne Tuttle has made a major impact on Tandy Hills. Consider this partial list of her activities at Tandy Hills:
-Worked with Wayne Clark at Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R) to study and document species at Tandy Hills (1989)
-Succeeded Wayne Clark as the Natural Resource Manager of FWNC&R and helped with land management at Tandy Hills (1995 - 2016)
-Led Wildflower Walks at Tandy Hills for West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association (WMNA) (1995 - 2004)
-Led Wildflower Walks at Tandy Hills Prairie Fest (2007 - 2015)
-Helped Don Young and many others learn to ID plant species at Tandy Hills
-Helped author and presented the FW Parks Dept. Master Plan for THNA (2008)
-Helped lead field trips for the Kids on the Prairie program (2010 - 2017)
-Helped plan and participated in the Tandy Hills Bioblitz (2015)
-Helped write grant and plan for new trails projects (2015 - 2021)
-Led the Trout Lily Walk at Tandy Hills (2024)
-Organized and led Prairie Seekers training at Tandy Hills for Native Prairie Association of Texas (2024)
-Founding President of the reactivated North Central Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) (1993 - 1997)
-Highlighted Tandy Hills as a demonstration site for the NPSOT Native Landscape Certification Program Level 4 class (2023)
-Organized and led training for Cross Timbers Master Naturalists (CTMN) at THNA (2024)
Along with NPAT (FW chapter) President, Kate Morgan, they have gone to great lengths to help us insure that Tandy Hills remains protected after the current FOTHNA leadership retires from duty. And, of course, Suzanne does not limit her volunteer time and expertise to just Tandy Hills. She’s all over the map advising, planning, leading, organizing and donating to various organizations and causes.
We are very lucky to have her at Tandy Hills. Thank you, Suzanne, for your many years of volunteer service.
08) Special Event: Free Screening of the Film, Nocturnes
Moth and Moth-ing enthusiasts, take note: Friends of Tandy Hills have arranged for a FREE screening of the 2024 film about moth-ing entitled, NOCTURNES. The screening will take place at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The date is January 25th at 2 PM. The 83 minute film is a New York Times Critics Pick, has a 91% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website and a Sundance Film Festival Winner in 2024. Local entomologist and moth-ing expert, Kimberlie Sassan, will introduce the film and take questions afterward.
Synopsis:
In the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths are whispering something to us. In the dark of night, two curious observers shine a light on this secret universe. Together, they are on an expedition to decode these nocturnal creatures in a remote ecological “hot spot” on the border of India and Bhutan. The result is a deeply immersive film that transports audiences to a rarely-seen place and urges us all to look more closely at the hidden interconnections of the natural world.
Admission is FREE and compliments of Friends of Tandy Hills. You can make a donation to Friends of Tandy Hills HERE:
09) Prairie Proverb - Robert Redford
“I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?”
Prairie Notes© is the official newsletter of Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. All content by Don Young except where otherwise noted.
