So it took us about two and half to three hours to reach my last goal. Hence, the fourth goal will not be revealed today LOL. It’s the journey!
Winter is a wonderful time to spot nests, like this paper wasp nest!
This past year the Maximillian Sunflowers (Helianthus maximiliani) were thick! The evidence was clear from all the skeletons of the stems.
On several of the stalks, they were swollen in the middle. We could see that insects had made a home. I resisted and did not open one up.
The Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera var tomentosa) bared itself to us. LOL.
The red stems were well, red. The flowers on this patch will be a beautiful pink in late May or June.
A close view of a Prairie Rose’s thorn!
We were heading down the hill towards the woods. The Indiangrass this year had been thick as I have observed in many places here in North Texas.
Bones! We thought probably a hog. As in other places, the hogs do their damage at the Garnett Preserve as well.
Just as the paper wasp nests are easier to see, bird nests are too! This was a Painted Bunting’s nest.
The nest had lichens and mosses as part of its construction! All of the above photos were in the prairie. Next post I will take you into the woods. And then after the woods post perhaps, we will make it to the fourth goal. Remember it is all about the journey 🙂
To identify a nest, you need to look at several things. Construction, what materials are used, shape, size, how is it attached, location such as height, where it is placed, and what it is placed in (ie cavity, ground, grass clump, vines, trees, etc). My main reference book is Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds by Paul J. Baicich and Colin J. O. Harrison.
And thanks!
How did you know it was a painted bunting nest? Ive seen you identify other nests. Always impresses me.
To identify a nest, you need to look at several things. Construction, what materials are used, shape, size, how is it attached, location such as height, where it is placed, and what it is placed in (ie cavity, ground, grass clump, vines, trees, etc). My main reference book is Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds by Paul J. Baicich and Colin J. O. Harrison.
And thanks!
A beautiful day! Loved the article about Colombian bird resurvey.
I agree with Claire – very interesting article on the bird re-survey.