January 25, 2024 – Thursday 6:00 PM – Click for more information. Coyotes are highly resilient creatures able to adapt to threats and acclimate themselves in almost every environment, including… Read More →
Flora and Fauna
Our Colorful Pond Visitors
Barbara Hibberd, Class of 2023 – “Starting in the fall (usually between Halloween and Thanksgiving) several other species of ducks arrive to spend the winter. I am fortunate to live by Big Lake Park in Plano which is home to many interesting ducks. My husband and I also often picnic at Bethany Lakes Park in Allen where we can find several species that don’t come to the creek by our house.”
Western Honey Bee’s in Tom’s backyard
Tom Shackelford, Class of 2018 – These Western Honey Bees have been working hard and enjoying the bird bath recently placed nearby for fresh water.
In my backyard? Are you kidding?
Sam Crowe, Class of 2021 – For years, I have been trimming shrubs and pulling out vines that have been determined to take over everything in my yard. That changed a little this year.
One day, I glanced out the window and saw what looked like a Gulf Fritillary laying eggs on one of the vines. For the next few days, I paid more attention to the area, and every day, Gulf Fritillary would stop by.
Texans … USGS scientists want your dead butterflies, moths
Article Submission by Leah Justice, Class of 2021 – Check out this article about USGS Scientists want your dead butterflies, moths.
2023 August Meeting with Nathan Rains | An evening with live Reptiles!
Michelle Connally, 2018 August 8, 2023 – Tuesday, 7:00 PM – Main Hall at the SRC building in the Heard Sanctuary About our Speaker: Nathan Rains, TPWD Wildlife Diversity Biologist… Read More →
Hummingbird vs. Hummingbird Moth
Balaji Devarajan, 2022 – This doesn’t happen everyday! So here I am sharing my firsthand witness of this rare interaction between a Hummingbird and the Hummingbird Moth (White-lined Sphinx Moth). I was birding at the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve with my camera to take pictures of the Dickcissel. While I got one shot of the Dickcissel, the photo highlights from that day were the Copperhead snake, Gulf Fritillary butterfly, and the Hummingbird Moth. This small post narrates the few minutes faceoff between a Hummingbird and a Hummingbird Moth.
Plano Parks and Recreation Summer Mothing Event – June 17, 2023
Leah Justice, 2021 – Plano Parks and Recreation and the Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist Chapter partnered up for a Summer Mothing Event with Sam Kieschnick on Saturday, June 17th It was precisely the kind of night you would hope for to attract the moths, hot and humid! Despite the sweltering heat, a large crowd of about 120-130 people assembled.
Hagerman for butterflies? – June 10, 2023
Sam Crowe, 2022 – On June 10, I took a trip up to Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge to see if there were any shorebirds still hanging around or maybe some already heading back south. I once saw a beautiful, breeding-plumaged American Golden Plover heading back south from their nesting range in the far north. No luck with the birds but the button bushes were blooming and the butterflies were taking advantage of the opportunity. I saw maybe 10 different species on one bush.
A Small Snail Story
Leah Justice, 2021 – As I started to clean a food dish from the decomposer tank at the Heard Museum, I noticed a very teeny tiny snail clinging to a piece of food. Is there such a thing as a baby snail? Not being familiar with the life cycle of snails, a bit of research was necessary to answer this simple question. It was soon apparent how large and diverse this class of creatures is!