The Barnett Ranch has been in the Barnett family since the mid 1800’s. Skip had invited us to visit again since the ranch was doing so well from the spring rains.
The ranch covers about a thousand acres. At the top of the photo the roofs of Denton are crowding up to the property line.
Bluebells (Eustoma grandiflorum) were gorgeous!
Nearby the spring-fed creek.
A Widow Skimmer paused along the creek.
Eastern Pondhawks (Erythemis simplicicollis) too!
The Dickcissel was trying hard to be heard. And the nearby development construction machines competed as well with their sounds. 🙁
At this stop I found a red mite. And the Spur-throated Grasshopper (Melanoplinae) that was its transportation.
Devil’s Claw (Proboscidea louisianica) glistened in the sun!
At the final stop an Owlfly (Ascalaphidae) paid us no mind.
As Skip told us the family history of this hay meadow that had never been plowed.
Read that blog post from Chris Helzer when he first published it and was surprised, because it was new information that refuted what I’d been told. But I’ve been pondering something for a while that I’ve been meaning to send to Chris to consider: how important are those deep roots for water infiltration and the recharge of our watersheds? I’ve used the argument that deep-rooted prairie plants increase infiltration along those roots, decreasing runoff and helping recharge the water table. But, like the myth of prairie grasses/forbs obtaining water from deep below the surface, I’m not sure if this is just something that I’ve always been told and seems intuitively correct, or if it’s really true. What do you think?
Let me know what Chris thinks. I have pondered it since I read a paper about. Your thoughts seem like a reasonable explanation. I just don’t know. 🤷🏻♀️
The Barnett Ranch and family are wonderful. So glad Fonda & Marshall introduced us to them and started field trips there. Love that place and the history.
What a beautiful prairie! A good size to be a refuge for prairie creatures!
Read that blog post from Chris Helzer when he first published it and was surprised, because it was new information that refuted what I’d been told. But I’ve been pondering something for a while that I’ve been meaning to send to Chris to consider: how important are those deep roots for water infiltration and the recharge of our watersheds? I’ve used the argument that deep-rooted prairie plants increase infiltration along those roots, decreasing runoff and helping recharge the water table. But, like the myth of prairie grasses/forbs obtaining water from deep below the surface, I’m not sure if this is just something that I’ve always been told and seems intuitively correct, or if it’s really true. What do you think?
Let me know what Chris thinks. I have pondered it since I read a paper about. Your thoughts seem like a reasonable explanation. I just don’t know. 🤷🏻♀️
Chips place looks wonderful – sorry I missed seeing it.
Hope the roots research continues – interesting insights so far.
😍 Prairie Love!
👍🏼❤️
I wonder how many springs are left in north texas. Hope that beautiful prairie lives for many more years. Love the research on prairie grasses.
I dont there are many springs are left but maybe more than I have heard🤞🏼
A very special place
Yep!
The Barnett Ranch and family are wonderful. So glad Fonda & Marshall introduced us to them and started field trips there. Love that place and the history.