I really never go to the grasslands on the weekends, but Sunday I did not pass up the chance when I got the invite yesterday! It was nice to see people out on the trails from adults to families with small children. Yeah, I hope they all had fun! I know I did!
It was back to the barrens again which is upland limestone area. A chance to introduce more folks to Cymopterus (Vesper macrorhizus). This is one of the first plants of a new year. It can get up to 8 or 9 inches tall especially when it is trying to get above the native grasses. It was a favorite of my mentor, the late Shirley Lusk. She just loved the seed pods.This Trout Lily (Erythronium mesochoreum) was about finished. A beautiful silvery moss on a limestone rock!The colors at the base of the Arkansas Yucca (Yucca arkansana) were pretty. I don’t think this was a good sign for the plant, but it was a pretty color.We walked one of the horse trails. Several horses and people passed by us. I bet they were not noticing the small things, like this thalloid liverwort with its capsules (the umbrellas like part with globose spore packets underneath). It certainly would be hard to spot way up on a horse. But we were all enjoying the start of spring!I hope everyone was able to enjoy the first day of spring outdoors at your favorite park!While sitting preparing this post, this one hit my window. A few minutes later a second one, did the same. Oh what the headache! So it was a chance to get a close up of this male starting to molt. The male in full breeding plumage will have be bright yellow with a black toupee and black wings with a wing bar. Occasionally in late April or May, we can be lucky to see one that has not flown north to nesting grounds. Both birds survived and few away a short time later. Happy ending eh!
Did you get some rain today? We had a storm! We got .68″ and the tornados missed us. So no damage here. And the rain was most welcome!
You can avoid Bird-Window stricks by hanging black cords outside the window.
Ribbons or String
Ribbons or strings hung on the outside of the window can be an effective collision deterrent if they are spaced no more than 10 cm (4 inches) apart and run the entire length of the window. Consider spacing the strands even closer at 5 cm (2 inches) to meet FLAP Canada’s Guidelines for Visual Markers. You can order this type of product custom-made for your windows, or you can easily make your own.
Beautiful yucca. A few goldfinches in my yard have their breeding colors. Think theyre about to leave.
The latest I have had the goldfinches is late May. That is when I get to see the stragglers in full breeding plumage.
I love the goldfinches’ breeding colors and I’m always sorry when they leave. These photos show the transition very well.
Thanks!
Ouch! I’m glad both the goldfinches flew away. And also very glad you hear that you got no damage from the storm. Scary skies for sure!
WooHoo, I finally got some rain here in NW Dallas. 1.26″ all in about 30 minutes.
Oh that is wonderful! We have gotten 3.96” fot the year. Tisnt much. 🤷🏻♀️
You can avoid Bird-Window stricks by hanging black cords outside the window.
Ribbons or String
Ribbons or strings hung on the outside of the window can be an effective collision deterrent if they are spaced no more than 10 cm (4 inches) apart and run the entire length of the window. Consider spacing the strands even closer at 5 cm (2 inches) to meet FLAP Canada’s Guidelines for Visual Markers. You can order this type of product custom-made for your windows, or you can easily make your own.
Thanks Alan. But I have not much luck with that. 🤷🏻♀️ Very few have hit hard enough to die. Usually just dazed.
The little yucca in our yard glows orange on the string under UV if you haven’t checked yours yet
I had not but will now! The Spring Beauty anthers glow blue under UV too😊