Prairie Notes #195 - Triumphant Trout Lilies
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.
Triumphant Trout Lilies
Prairie Notes #195
March 1, 2023
1) Triumphant Trout Lilies
2) Field Report
3) Trout Lily Walk - March 5th
4) Prairie Sky / Star Party Is Back
5) Fort Worth Report on $150K Grant
6) YOUR Membership Matters
7) Prairie Proverb - David Hockney
1) Triumphant Trout Lilies
Despite the icy beginning of February, I could hear and see Mother Nature revving up her engines at Tandy Hills, getting ready for spring. Right after the thaw, I observed the prairies were flickering with yellow-winged, Sulphur Butterflies. I saw the first Texas Spiny Lizard waking up from its winter brumation with senses on high alert. My Cornell Merlin Bird App picked up a number of migratory birds passing over Tandy Hills, including, Canadian Geese and a Bald Eagle. And, the sharply dressed Cedar Waxwings swept in to finish off the last of the cherry-red, Possumhaw berries. As it usually does, Spring seems to be starting the party early, not waiting for the calendar to read: March 20th.
And right on schedule, Trout Lilies (Erythronium albidum) were the first wildflower out the gate in mid-February, their mysterious, maroon-mottled leaves poking through the oak leaf litter, followed by little white, lily-like trumpets triumphantly announcing that spring is afoot.
Trout Lilies got their most typical, common name from the leaf patterning that looks vaguely like trout skin. They have other common names: Dog’s Tooth Violets named for the root corm buried deep in the soil that’s about the size of a dog’s tooth, (Note: they are in the Lily family NOT the Violet family) and Fawn Lily, again due to the leaf pattern similar to Deer fawn fur.
Whatever you choose to call them, they are undoubtedly a reminder that spring is in the air. I hope you will attend the 15th annual, Trout Lily Walk with our estimable guide, Sam Kieschnick on Sunday, March 5, 2023 @ 1 PM, to see them at close range.
DY
2) Field Report - February
A sub-freezing ice storm started things off on Feb. 1st, followed by rain and more rain. The trails have not dried out since last December. Please avoid them for a few more days. I saw few early spring plants as of Feb, 28th but I know things are about to pop. We did have a few warm days and some very pretty sunsets in February. One unexplained observation of note: On February 26, I witnessed a flock of more than 100 American Crows gathered at sunset. The established family of Crows at Tandy Hills is only about 8 birds. Migrants? It was sight to see! Finally, the new species count increased by a modest 4 species for a new total of 1818.
3) TRout Lily Walk is Set
The TL Walk was delayed due to no blooms but we are now set for, Sunday, March 5th @ 1 PM.
https://www.tandyhills.org/trout-lily-walk-with-sam-kieschnick
4) Prairie Sky / Star Party Is Back
The new season begins March 25th. Bring the fam and come see what’s going on in outer space.
https://www.tandyhills.org/prairie-sky-/-star-party
Here is the March sky commentary by FWAS rep, John McCrea:
For our March star party, we will still have the familiar winter constellations. Some of the most familiar are Orion (The Hunter) with Canis Major (The Big Dog) to the east with its brightest star Sirius. Above and to the left are Castor and Pollux of the constellation Gemini (The Twins). To the west of Orion is the bright red star Aldebaran of the constellation Taurus (The Bull) and the Pleiades (The Seven Sisters) just a little further west. North and west is the lopsided pentagon shaped constellation Auriga (The Charioteer) with its brightest star Capella (little goat).
The sun will set @ 7:44 PM on the 25th of March. The moon will be a 4 ½- day old waxing gibbous in the Constellation Taurus.
The planet Mars will be between Taurus and Gemini and inside the winter hexagon. The planet Venus will be brightly shining in the west between the constellations Aries (The Ram) and Cetus (The Whale). The bright star hovering around the southern horizon is the star Canopus of the southern hemisphere constellation Carina (The Keel). If you were in Sydney, Australia, you would find Canopus 71o above the horizon.
5) FW Report on $150K Grant
The Fort Worth Report is a relatively new, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that provides local journalism of the people, by the people and for the people. On February 24th, reporter, Juan Salinas II did a report titled:
“How a $150K grant will speed up makeover of east Fort Worth’s Broadcast Hill”
You can read it HERE.
6) Your Membership Matters
We don’t beg. We don’t plead or harass. But we will gently nudge you because we need your support. Become a Friend of Tandy Hills, HERE: https://www.tandyhills.org/donate
7) Prairie Proverb
“You can’t be bored of nature, can you? You’ve endless subjects in nature if you really look. ”
David Hockney pictured at his immersive show at Lightroom (Justin Sutcliffe)
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.
