Prairie Notes #136 - No Place Like Tandy Hills
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.
No Place Like Tandy Hills
Prairie Notes #136
April 1, 2018
01) No Place Like Tandy Hills
02) Field Report - March
03) Prairie Helpers
04) Legacy Park Update
05) PrairieSky / Star Party Is Back
06) Notable Events in April
07) Plum Pretty
08) Prairie Proverb
01) No Place Like Tandy Hills
I've never been one to brag about Tandy Hills. - Just kidding. As head cheerleader, I never miss an opportunity to remind you of this amazing natural resource in the heart of the city. My job, each month, is to try and seduce you with words and pictures, to inspire you to walk these amazing hills and see for yourself what nature has wrought.
That job gets easier once April rolls around, when the prairie grass fades to background and wildflowers of many colors burst forth. The sheer beauty and diversity of April never fails to surprise this many-seasoned veteran. Seductive scenes are everwhere you look, such as, right now:
Hillsides dotted in the heavenly blue blossoms of Prairie Celestial; Hidden grassy coves of Wild Hyacinth; Secret patches of Texas Blue Star; Dew-covered stands of Purple Prairie Indian Paintbrush; Butterflies of many species, bugs, lizards, birds and a few mammals are out in force. The whole scene changes next week as more wildlfowers appear.
As you will see in the Field Report below, there really is no place like Tandy Hills, especially in April. So, lace up your red hiking shoes and come on in.
DY
02) Field Report - March
Most wildflowers were blooming at least 2 weeks later than last year. However, by the end of March, lots of rain seems to have helped. I'm also seeing a few species such as Prairie Celestial and Indian Paintbrush in areas not seen in my 20+ years of observation. On a March 31 walk, after 2" of rain, things are really starting to pop. Lots of cool surprises like the, Tersa Sphinx Moth, pictured below.
03) Prairie Helpers
On March 10th, Friends of Tandy Hills hosted 75 young people from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Fort Worth for a 2-hour volunteer work day. Led by Upward Bound Project Advisor, Mr. Abel Cerros, the enthusiastic bunch of teens helped put a major dent in our Privet problem, hauling off two giant piles of recently cut brush. Many of these kids had never volunteerd before and got a valuable life lesson. FOTHNA vols, Joseph Lippert and Debora & Don Young helped manage the project.
04) Legacy Park Update
The official signage for our well-earned Lone Star Legacy Park award was installed in March. It pairs nicely with our recently installed Great Texas Wildlife Trail sign. These signs represent the hard work of many volunteers over the past 14 years.
05) PrairieSky / StarParty Is Back
A new season of monthly star gazing in association with, Fort Worth Astronomical Society, began in March. About 40 people showed up on March 24th, to check out the action above the hills and learn interesting facts from the astronomers. The public is invited to attend on selected Saturdays, when skywatching is most interesting. Family friendly. No dogs, Please. FREE! Next party is April 21st. See full 2018 schedule here: http://www.tandyhills.org/events/prairie-sky-star-party
06) Notable Events in April
Tarrant County College South Campus is hosting and earth Day Celebration and Bioblitz on April 18. Check out the flier here:
07) Plum Pretty
Tandy Hills is home to at least 3 species of Plum trees. Experts have not yet reached consensus on the exact species data at the Tandy Hills iNaturalsit project page, but, Creek Plum (Prunus rivularis), American Plum (Prunus americana) and Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifloia) all bloom in March. While they all have magnificent blooms, I have observed fruit only on Chickasaw. Here's my photos of the three.
8) Prairie Proverb
“The discovery of spring each year, after the winter’s hibernation, is a discovery of the universe. This recollected smell of fresh loam in my nostrils is the smell of eternity itself.”
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.
