Prairie Notes #134 - Good Bone Structure
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.
Good Bone Structure
Prairie Notes #134
February 1, 2018
01) Good Bone Structure
02) Don't Forget > Membership
03) Why We Do What We Do
04) MM&WW HIke Report
05) 10th Annual Brush Bash Report
06) Tandy Hills Time Lapse
07) Trout Lily Hike w/Sam K
08) Ed Abbey Lives!
09) Big Rock Tandy Mountain
10) Blue Moon on the Prairie
11) Prairie Proverb
01) Good Bone Structure
The bare bones look and feel of the Tandy hills in winter is a comforting sight. For about three months of the year when most trees are leafless, you can more clearly see the hills themselves. Defined by drainages and seams of Ashe Juniper and Oak and free of the decorative wildflowers and flying insects the muted hills are silent and serene. The good bone structure of the place is better appreciated.
From the street this phenomena is not that noticeable. But once you hike in a-ways, the hills reveal themselves in all their topographic glory, inviting you to investigate the secrets hidden within each one. In some areas they tumble into each other likje a crazyquilt from several angles. Other places they stretch out in long dignified plains, reaching for the horizons, gradually levelling out to the flatlands beyond.
By early March, however, this bare-bones-monochromatic love affair loses its power and poetry, replaced by a burning desire for color. Before you know it, the lovely bone structure of the winter hills is gradually cloaked with wildflowers. Trout Lily, Lotus Ground Plum, Big Root and Creek Plum lead the way, followed quickly by the full tilt palette. One by one, the lavish carpet of wildflowers is stiched across the bony hills.
American painter, Andrew Wyeth, undrestood the winter landscape, capturing the mood and essence of rural Pennsylvania. (see Prairie Proverbs, below) For a few short weeks more, you too, can indulge yourself in the comforting winter hills of your local prairie. Come on in!
DY
02) Don't Forget > Membership
Friends of Tandy Hills depends on your support to help improve YOUR park. Your support helps fund outdoor education, conservation and restoration programs being done by Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area. Your membership also funds, Brush Bash, Prairie Posse, Wild Food Walks, Trout Lily Walks, Kids on the Prairie, Wildflower Walks and PrairieSky / StarParty. Please renew your membership today.
Become a Friend HERE: http://www.tandyhills.org/donate
Thanks to the following new and renewing 2018 members: Happy Gardens, Jim Marshall, Greg & Mary Kay Hughes, Becky Dobyns, Elsa Zamarripa, Betsy Booth, Wendy Elias, Don Ferrier, Jim Hart & Cathy Livingston.
> > > FYI - Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Tandy Hills.
03) Why We Do What We Do
This short video illustrates why Tandy Hills keeps inspiring our restoration and education efforts. We hope it will inspire your financial support. It aslo reminds that spring is coming again!
04) Manly Men & Wild Women Hike Report
On a bright and cheery 17 degree New Years Day morning with a 2 degree wind-chill factor, a group of 20 hale and hardy troopers. All 20 received a well-earned certificate certifying their Manly Men & Wild Women credentials for one full year.
05) 10th Annual Brush Bash Report
A small but dedicated group of 15 Brush Bashers showed up on January 27 and worked for 3 hours to help liberate a big chunk of prairie. More than 11,000 pounds of brush was removed. New scenic views are now evident along View Street, the Trailhead and Northeast Lookout Point. This dedicated group proved the old maxim that, just showing up is 80% of success. Thanks a mil!
06) Tandy Hills Time Lapse
As a photo documentary project, I stood at the same spot nearly every day for 17 straight months taking still photos of the Iconic Trail at Tandy Hills. That ridge contains possibly the most diverse collection of prairie biota in north Texas. I started the project on February 28, 2015 and stopped on June 9, 2016. This 7-minute video is the fruit of my labors.
07) Trout Lily Hike w/Sam K
The one and only, Sam Kieschnick, will lead a Trout Lily Hike on Sunday, February 25th at 2pm. RSVP here: info@tandyhills.org
08) Ed Abbey Lives!
January 29th was the birthdate of our patron saint, Ed Abbey. He's often mentioned in Prairie Notes for good reason. His words, deeds and his example have always been a major inspiration of Friends of Tandy Hills. The New York Times published a nice essay last week titled, President Trump, Please Read Desert Solitaire. The title refers to Abbey's 1968 non-fiction masterpiece. Both essay and book are highly recommended reading.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/26/books/review/edward-abbey-desert-solitaire.html
09) Big Rock Tandy Mountain
With help from FW Park & Recreation Dept., a couple of giant limestone boulders have been delivered to Tandy Hills and strategically placed at scenic overlooks for your use. They have quickly become useful as seating for contemplative park visitors gazing into the west and northeast. Debora Young hand selected the rocks from the PARD rockyard.
10) Blue Moon on the Prairie
On January 31, about a dozen moon gazers braved a chilly, pre-dawn breeze high atop Tandy Ridge to catch a glimpse of the Lunar eclipse and so-called Blue Moon. Patrick McMahon, of Fort Worth Astronomical Society, set up his telescope for the main event plus a nice view of Juliter and its not-so-blue moons.
10) Prairie Proverb
“I prefer winter and fall, when you can feel the bone structure in the landscape - the loneliness of it - the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it - the whole stroy doesn’t show.”
Photo by, Kirk Wilkinson, 1960
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.
