Shaking the Trees Newsletter

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Edition 43 – Shaking The Trees – October 2023

Gulf Fritillary Caterpillar on Passionflower

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.
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Yellow Crowned Night Heron

Continued Observations of a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Colony

John W. Garbutt, Class of 2019 – On May 1st I set out to observe the herons hunting along the edge of the pond. I anticipated that with mouths to feed in the colony, I would find a lot of heron activity at sunrise. I laid on the ground using a Bald Cypress as a blind and its roots as a tripod as I awaited a heron to work its way toward me.
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If I were

Greg Tonian, Class of 2017 – If I were… Poem – A reflection on a Labor Day Weekend Backpacking Adventure on the 29-mile Eagle Rock Loop In Arkansas in The Ouachita National Forest.
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Edition 42 – Shaking The Trees – August and September 2023

Roadrunner Diet Ribbon Snake Photo by Bajaji Devarajan

Roadrunner Diet

Balaji Devarajanm, Class of 2022 – I enjoyed watching the Roadrunner parents hunt and bring food to feed the three chicks in the nest at Erwin Park, McKinney. Their buffet spread is huge with snakes, cicadas, caterpillars, grasshoppers, lizards, and others. I hope you like these photos!
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Stream Team Member Tom Heath Photo by Vicki Sanders

Protecting Our Water through Stream Team Monitoring

Vicki Sanders, Class of 2022 – Tom Heath is a great example of how we show our love of water by conducting regular testing. He has been a member of Texas Stream Team since 2005. He started out as an advocate for clean water as a member of For The Love of the Lake with White Rock Lake since 2003 and jumped on the opportunity to become more engaged by taking the Standard Core Testing Training offered by Texas Stream Team by the City of Dallas.
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Yellow Crowned Night Heron Photo By John Garbutt

Observations of a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Colony

John W. Garbutt, Class of 2019 – March was winding down. The morning was cool, which made for a lovely morning to make another attempt at locating the Cooper’s Hawks’ nest in the riparian area of the park. I finally found it on the 26th. It turned out that the Hawks were renovating the previous year’s construction. Excited with the discovery, I decided to head down the path to scout where the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron pair nested the previous year near the creek.
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2023 Blackland Prairie Chapter 2nd Annual Mothing Event Kimberlie Sason

2nd Annual BPTMN Mothing Event at Connemara Preserve – July 22, 2023

Michelle Connally, 2018 – The Connemara meadow provided a serene backdrop as the sun set on our annual Summer event. Bob Mione, the Connemara Restoration Manager, talked with guests about the meadow. Five mothing setups were presented by Rick and Lisa Travis, Jean and Michael Suplick, Melanie Schuchart, and Patrick Pilarski.
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When Bison Roamed the Blackland

Paul Napper, 2015 – Hiking at Oak Point in Plano is something Cindy and I enjoy. In March this year we were hiking part of the trail that gets close to the bank of Rowlett Creek. I noticed a place where we could climb down the bank and explore a small gravel bar. As we slowly walked through the gravel looking for interesting rocks or arrowheads I noticed a tooth and picked it up.
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Edition 41 – Shaking The Trees – July 2023

Vicki Sanders holding Emory the Heard Museum Rat Snake

Our Tribe’s Fortune 250 Hours – Vicki Sanders

Vicki Sanders, 2022 -“I just can’t believe I waited so long to get involved with TMN.”  I’m very excited to have reached this milestone! Attached is a photo of me volunteering at the Heard Museum with Emory the Rat Snake.  
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Hummingbird and Hummingbird Moth White Lined Sphinx Moth sharing Thistle nectar

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.
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Plano Parks Mothing Event with Sam Kieschnick identifying moths with young attendees.

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.
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Red Spotted Purple Butterfly on Button Bush at Hagerman Wildlife Refuge Photo By Sam Crowe

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.
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Edition 40 – Shaking The Trees – June 2023

Giant African Land Snails at the Holifield Learning Center

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!
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Dickcissel bird perching on Curly dock.

Bird on a Dock – Maybe not what you think. – May 14, 2023

Sam Crowe, 2022 – I think the plants are a type of dock. Photographed at Hagerman May 14. The plants were quite colorful. The Dickcissels were abundant and the males were shouting out their territorial claims. My experience is that after nesting takes place the Dickcissels can be difficult to find. Pretty nice video of the bird on the dock, and on a tree, singing different songs
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Tufted Titmouse with a Caterpillar in his beak perched on a branch.

Birding the Seasonal Shift – May 12, 2023

John W. Garbutt, 2019 – I have always disliked the end of the year and the subsequent arrival of spring. I like fall and winter. Time seems to slow down from October through December until the last week of the year. Then the next few months seem to go quickly. Perhaps this is some deeper psychological problem for those born on January 1st, which could only be understood after a call to Dr. Crane. Birding has slowly, secretly, made me long for the change in seasons.
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Photo of water stream

Jump on in, the Water’s Fine!

Vicki Sanders, 2022 – It’s heating up outside, so let’s talk about something that will cool us down – WATER! It’s everywhere, and every living thing needs it to survive. Each of us is made up of 60% water! So, how can we be more involved with caring for the water in our environment? Stream Team and Texas Water Specialists are two great opportunities.
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Edition 39 – Shaking The Trees – May 2023

Frisco Grand Park Mothing Event with Sam Kieschnick

Frisco Grand Park Mothing Event with Sam Kieschnick – April 29, 2023

Rick Travis, 2018 – On April 29, our chapter partnered with the Frisco Parks Department to hold a Mothing Event at Grand Park, in support of the iNaturalist City Challenge. It was a real treat and a wonderful experience for all those that attended, which included not only several members of our chapter, but also TMN’s from surrounding chapters, and several families from the Frisco area!
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Edition 38 – Shaking The Trees – April 2023

mosasaur SMU Angola, Africa

Heard Paleo Lab cleans Mosasaur remains collected by SMU

Deborah Canterbury, 2011 – Several months ago the paleo lab members who had been involved for at least 6 years in preparing fossils at the Heard were assigned a tricky preparator duty. They were asked to clean sandstone, a challenge for the most advanced of preparator, from the Mosasaurus remains collected by SMU at a site in Angola, Africa.
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Wintering Ducks

John W Garbutt, 2019 – I struggled on how to approach doing an article for the newsletter. I initially wanted to do one on ducks and the seasonal shift that brings them down in autumn. I also switched the theme from my enjoyment of them, my approach to photographing them, and interspersing information about the ducks into the text. After countless rewrites, this is mostly just the facts Joe Friday style.
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Edition 37 – Shaking The Trees – February – March 2023

lake with trees

Our Tribe’s Fortune 1,000 Hours – Heather Fell

Heather Fell, 2021 “It is great to see the students get excited about the labs at the Heard and I can share some of the knowledge I have obtained through our BPTMN training classes and working with so many of our wonderful volunteers.”
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butterfly on blooming plant

Our Tribe’s Fortune 1,000 Hours – Laurie Sheppard

Laurie Sheppard, 2017 – “I live in New England four months of the year but I can still be a part of BPTMN every month because of the efforts of the chapter’s BOD. I may not see people in person very often but I still feel welcome when I do.”
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clymer meadow

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 Hours – Paulette Platko

Paulette Platko, 2021 – “I’ve enjoyed projects that include prairie restoration, native garden maintenance, butterfly pinning, and working with children at the Heard. I love activities that facilitate my greater understanding and knowledge about the environment and ecology.”
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sign with text next to trail

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 Hours – Page Schreck

Page Schreck, 2016 – “Before I became treasurer I volunteered at the Heard and at the Texas Discovery Garden in Dallas….however this treasurer gig takes a bit of time and these days my grandmother duties preclude me from doing much more than that.” 
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Edition 36 – Shaking The Trees – January/February 2023

Smiley Woodfin Native Prairie photo for Orstead TNC news release

Preservation of Remnant Smiley-Woodfin Prairie

Rick Travis, 2018 – The article tells the story of how the remnant Smiley-Woodfin Prairie will be preserved versus being eliminated by the construction of a solar power farm. The company, Orsted developing the solar farm and the Nature Conservancy recently reached an agreement that will preserve about 1000 acres of the prairie. 
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Sweat Bee Illustration by Katie McElroy

Native Bees of Texas Illustrations by Katie McElroy

Michelle Connally, 2018 – There was a bonus at the end of the January 2023 Chapter meeting, like icing on a cupcake. Everyone was handed a tri fold hand out of the Native Bees of Texas, Illustrated by Katie McElroy, this was her project instead of a presentation. Katie used her artistic skills to demonstrate what she learned about Native Bees. She did such a great job, I wanted to share her work with everyone not at the meeting as well as Texas native bee seekers in the future.
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Eastern Phoebe against a bald cypress by Brenda Clark at the Canyon Creek Wetlands

Canyon Creek Wetland and Wildscape

Julia Koch, 2020 NTMN – I have to give another shout out to one of your members that is volunteering at the Canyon Creek Wetland and Wildscape project in NW Richardson.  Brenda Clark is not only helping us to remove invasive species and is caring for hundreds of plants in her greenhouse that will be planted this spring at the site but she is an exceptional photographer.
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Frankford Prairie Hyacinths by Cynthia Alexander-Coday

Wild Hyacinths (Camassia scilloides) of Frankford Prairie

Cynthia Alexander-Coday – reprint from Shaking of the Trees Newsletter First Edition dated April 12, 2020. Down in Dallas, east of the tollway but still in Collin County, there is a historic church & cemetery that were part of the Frankford settlement in the mid-late 1800s.
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Edition 35 – Shaking The Trees – December 2022

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 Hours – Charlise Hill-Larson

Charlise Hill-Larson, 2019 – My interests as a Master Naturalist includes birding, native landscapes and helping others to experience the wonder, beauty and healing power of the natural world. I spend the majority my volunteer time as a trail guide and a birder, though to be honest, serving as the Chapter VP is the volunteer work that has helped me to reach 500 hours.
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Our Tribe’s Fortune 250 Hours – Lisa Runyon

Lisa Runyon, 2015 – I’ve stayed involved in BPTMN because our chapter does two things well. First, our chapter excels in providing quality advanced training opportunities including the speakers at our monthly meetings. They have raised my awareness and inspired me in so many ways. Because of advanced training, I continue to grow as a naturalist. Secondly, our chapter does a great job of providing a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from.
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BPTMNs Attend TMN Annual Meeting in Houston Texas

Linda Nixon, 2018 – Just prior to the start of the TMN 2022 Annual Meeting (Meeting) in Houston Texas, we decided to ask attendees, both those in person and those online, to write about their experiences so we could share them with BPTMN members who did not attend this event.  We hope you will enjoy their musings and that what you read will inspire you to participate in a future Annual Meeting.
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LLELA’s Big Sit on November 5th, 2022

Scott Kiester, Elm Fork Chapter – November 5, 2022 6 AM: On one of the first really chilly mornings of the fall intrepid birders from across the Metroplex gathered in the predawn hours at LLELA. Why? To count the birds of course.
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Texas Master Naturalists, Blackland Prairie Chapter

Rick Travis, 2018 – 2022 was an eventful year for the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist Chapter! The Covid scourge FINALLY began to loosen its grip on us, and as the year progressed, we began transitioning back to in-person chapter meetings, classes, and volunteer activities. Online meetings helped keep us stitched together in 2020 and 2021, but (in my humble opinion) there’s no substitute for in-the-flesh gatherings.
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Edition 34 – Shaking The Trees – October/ November 2022

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 Hours – Leah Justice

Leah Justice, 2021 – Most of my volunteer time is spent working in Animal Care at the Heard Museum.  I really love taking care of the animals and watching how excited all the visitors are when they interact with animals and nature.  The Animal Care team is a great group of people to work with. 
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Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 Hours – Sue Makuta

Susan Makuta, 2021 – I volunteer at a variety of places and activities: Blackland Prairie Raptor Center – Rehab; and events;  Heard Nature Preserve – Gardens, Butterfly House, trail guide and  Special events; Heritage Farmstead Native Garden; PISD Holifield Science Learning Center – Animal Room and  Field Trip Guide.  Within the chapter, I am on the Training Committee, Hospitality Committee and the Natureabilty Committee.  
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Our Tribe’s Fortune 250 Hours – Barbara Dupont

Barbara Dupont, 2021 – Restoration at Erwin Park with the “guys” I volunteer mostly at various projects but mainly: Erwin Park in McKinney which is undergoing a prairie restoration and Heritage Farmstead in Plano where Master Naturalists maintain a native plant garden.
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A Summer Mystery

Leah Justice, 2021 – The sun was just setting, and I was going out for an evening walk in the neighborhood.  But wait, what was that unusual noise I heard emanating from the bushes?  It was a strange chirping, twittering sound. 
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JM Caldwell Park Pollinator Garden in Princeton

Dave Powell, 2007 – On our first workday three of us began the cleanup of the garden, most of which was removal of Western Ragweed. Kathy, Mary and Dave made good use of two hours and were rewarded by the butterflies that showed up which included two Monarch that began drinking nectar from the flower that we exposed.
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Edition 33 – Shaking The Trees – September 2022

Our Tribe’s Fortune 2,500 Hours – Rick Travis

Rick Travis, 2018 – “Livin’ the Dream, folks!” My wife and best friend Lisa and I joined the Blackland Prairie chapter training class in 2018. Since graduating we’ve been relatively active in the chapter, coordinating and/or participating in some special restoration projects, “doing our time” in various positions of responsibility within the chapter, and just having a blast immersing ourselves in nature with wonderful folks that share our love and passion for the natural world.
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Coneflower at Clymer Meadow

Chapter Project Grant Application is currently open

Michelle Norris, 2021 – The Grant Committee is excited to announce the new Blackland Prairie Chapter Project Grant Application Information is currently open on the Chapter’s website and will remain open until the end of the month 9/30/2022
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Erwin Park

David Powell, 2007 – Even in August with no rain and heat our team is at Erwin Park on Monday mornings. Yes we do clear underbrush from the tree lines within the circle and cut trees out in the prairie and that is all a beneficial contribution to the beauty of the place. It has always been as important for those of who are working to spend time examining the natural growth in the prairie. We enjoy this time to share our knowledge and learn from each other as we wonder amongst the vegetation.
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Frisco Northwest Park Bioblitz

Rick Travis, 2018 – It was a very crispy BioBlitz as everything had gone to seed. About 30 participants added approximately 300 Northwest Park observations into iNaturalist. Around 35-40 additional species were added into the Northwest Park iNaturalist Project.
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Edition 32 – Shaking The Trees – Summer 2022 Edition

My New Best Friend: Merlin Sound ID

Jean Suplick, 2018 and 2020-2021 New Class Director – Have you ever stepped outside on a fine morning, closed your eyes for a few moments, and taken in the soundscape? No doubt you will hear some human-generated sounds like tires on pavement, jets droning by overhead or maybe playing children. But wait. Hold on. Was that a bird you just heard?
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BPTMN STT 32 2022-05-28 Connemare Meadow Nature Preserve Photo By Connie Roschlau Ball

Honoring Frances Williams, Founder of Connemara

Bob Mione, 2012 – There have been lots and lots of great photos taken of the wildflowers at the Meadow.  I’ve never seen a better one than this, taken by Connie Roschlau Ball.  I call this plot the “Maureen” plot, named after a friend of mine’s wife, who really loved the wildflowers of TX.
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Erwin Park – Hawk’s Nest

Shari Navarette, 2018 and Chapter Photographer – In the early spring of 2021, while Covid kept most of us home, I spent a lot of time with my camera at the Heard Museum, at Hagerman NWR, and at Erwin Park.   One morning at Erwin, while the trees were still bare, I spotted a pair of hawks at a nest.  One was sitting on the nest, the other kept it’s mate company just off to the side.   I watched for a while. 
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Edition 31 – Shaking The Trees – May 5, 2022

Our Tribe’s Fortune 2500 Hours – Beverly Carpenter

Beverly Carpenter, 2013 – The Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist program seemed the perfect place for me to pursue my personal interest in life-long learning after my career in education. BPTMN was an opportunity to learn more about the environment around me and contribute through volunteering.
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Group of Volunteers from the Heard Plant Sale

2022 Heard Plant Sale

Deborah Canterbury, 2014 and Past President – More than 10,00 plants unloaded, cataloged, labeled and placed according to scientific name in 4 days for this years’ 36th Heard Plant Sale. It is one of the longest-running, largest, and best native plant sales in the state. BPTMN members play a big role in the pre-sale preparation and in helping customers choose the proper native plants for their gardens.
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Buckeye Flowers

Buckeye Pilgrimage

Greg Tonian, 2017 – The Trinity River Valley of North Texas drew us all here, Though we did not realize it. We may not know how or why, Perhaps it was for a glimpse of a Buckeye? John Neely Bryan built a cabin on a Trinity River bluff He founded Dallas in the 1840’s. Dreams were grand, but times were tough. When I drove out in ‘85, I asked myself, Where are all the trees?
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Our Tribe’s Fortune 250 Hours – Leah Justice

By Leah Justice, 2021 – As a newer member of the chapter, I volunteered for many different activities throughout the past year in order to broaden my knowledge.  I have worked in prairies at different times of the year, learned about tree surveying, and planted trees.
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Our Tribe’s Fortune 250 Hours – Paulette Planko

By Paulette Planko, 2021 – I’m a member of the 2021 class. I have been volunteering mostly at Erwin Park in McKinney, at the Heard Nature Preserve, and at Clymer Nature Preserve. I’ve enjoyed projects that include prairie restoration, native garden maintenance, butterfly pinning, and working with children at the Heard.
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Our Tribe’s Fortune 250 Hours – Tasha Patterson

Tasha Patterson, 2020 and 2021 Class Representative – I also do first Saturday trail guiding at Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. My favorite thing about being a part of the BPTMN is that every single person I have encountered is willing to share their knowledge and passion to help me grow in my pursuits.
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Our Tribe’s Fortune 250 Hours – Andy Hudson

Andy Hudson, 2018 – I was in Class 2018. People can usually find me serving out at Erwin Park or the 2 newer green spaces at Gray Branch and McKinney Greens. I live in McKinney, so that keeps me enjoying the fellowship and lively personalities of our Blackland Prairie chapter.
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Edition 30 – Shaking The Trees – April 5, 2022

Our Tribe’s Fortune 2500 Hours – Tom Shackelford

Tom Shackelford, 2018 and Past President (2020-2021) I was born in Great Bend, Kansas and grew up farming and raising cattle along the Santa Fe Trail on land south of the Arkansas River, from Fort Larned to Dodge City. I did not realize it at the time but our home and the pasture lands where we grazed cattle were undeveloped, never used for agriculture beyond grazing and composed of western wheatgrass, blue grama, prairie three awn, little blue stem – native mixed prairie lands. This was my “Playground.”
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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Sarah Densmore

Sarah Densmore, 2021 My major volunteer areas are with the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, where I am the Volunteer Coordinator, and with Texas Metro Wildlife Rehabilitation (I’ve submitted an application to be sub-permitted as a wildlife rehabilitator. I’m waiting to hear back from TPWD on whether or not I’m approved.), where I help rehab baby cottontails and juvenile opossums.   In regards to why I stay with the chapter, I’m not sure why I would leave.  I worked hard to get into the TMN program, I’m thrilled with all of the doors of opportunity that are available due to this certification,…

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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Susan Makuta

Susan Makuta, 2021 I am a member of the class of 2021. I volunteer at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. I am on the Monday rehab team caring for the birds of prey. I am with a great team and I have learned so much there. I have also assisted with some deconstruction work on the education enclosures. Additionally, I help with various activities with public events for BPRC. Susan Makuta, Class of 2021 I also volunteer at the Heard Nature Preserve. I have worked in the gardens with Amy, taken trail guide training with Dave Powell, assisted at various…

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Heard Fossil Lab Team in front of displayed dinosaur bones.

‘Dem Bones Update

Deborah Canterbury, 2014 and Past President Master Naturalists in the Heard Fossil Lab recently laid out Colombian Mammoth bones that have been prepped just to see how they may go together. More exist and they are trying to decide how to best display.
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Brandon Belcher

Last of the Blackland, A Nature Conservancy video

Charlise Hill-Larson, 2019 and 2021-22 Vice President I was spending time with The Nature Conservancy online this am and came across this short film on the Clymer Meadow. If we haven’t shared it already, it’s certainly worth sharing.
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Edition 29 – Shaking The Trees – March 7, 2022

500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Louise Frost

Louise Frost, 2010 I’m mostly a life-long Dallasite with gaps here and there. When I moved back here in 2010, I was looking for something to get involved with and the Heard came up. I’ve always been a nature lover, and loved taking my boys there as kids so I signed up and tried a few jobs. Trail Guide struck my interest and in addition to Dave Powell doing the training, there were a couple of other MNs in the group who encouraged me to join. I did and was so glad I did! I had so much fun with…

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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Duane Mortenson

Duane Mortenson, 2018 I grew up on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin, so I spent my youth outside most every day.  It was a beautiful area for hiking, camping, canoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.  For my career I decided to go into electrical engineering and I moved to Texas.  It was quit the change to swap endless days outside for an inside cubicle behind a computer, the hills and trees of Wisconsin for flat prairie land.  I did spend as much time outside as I could but it wasn’t the same. When I approached retirement, I started…

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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – John W. “Dub” Spencer

John W. “Dub” Spencer, 2017 I grew up in small central Texas town (Hamilton), working, playing, and loving the outdoors. After retirement I was searching for an activity or group that would allow me to spend time outdoors and and be involved with fun folks and the Texas Master Naturalist Program certainly provides both. I consider myself a nature generalist, I know a little about a lot of things, but not much about anything. As an example I know leaves are often green or brown, native plants are good, invasive plants are bad, birds often fly, etc.. Current chapter activities…

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Long Time, No Hear

Clyde Camp, 2011 Possibly a very frustrated male.  Or Female.  The same bird (I think) has been arriving around 11pm and sitting in the door trilling until around 3am.  Sometimes leaving and returning several times.  Sometimes taking a nap inside.  Sometimes trilling from inside.   And several times spending the day sleeping before taking off at dusk. sitting in the door trilling until around 3am.  Sometimes leaving and returning several times.  Sometimes taking a nap inside.  Sometimes trilling from inside.   And several times spending the day sleeping before taking off at dusk.
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Introduction to the Great Trinity Forest with Bill Holston

Charlise Hill-Larson, 2019 Please join our February Speaker, Bill Holston, on Sunday, March 27, for an introduction to the Trinity Forest. We will meet at 11am at the Pavilion at Bonton Farms. The address is 6915 Bexar St, Dallas, TX 75215. Bill will lead us on an easy and flat hike on the Ned and Genie Fritz Buckeye Trail. All total, we’ll traverse about 2.5 miles. Bonton Farms will also be open for lunch following our walk, if you’re interested. 
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Edition 28 – Shaking The Trees – January 18, 2022

Thank you, Tom Shackelford

Rick Travis, 2018 – Current President (2022-2023) – Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Tom stepped up to serve as Chapter President in 2020. Within just a couple of months into his Chapter Presidency, the covid pandemic exploded, requiring quick action to develop a completely different approach, and set of rules, for members to engage within our chapter safely. This wasn’t easy. There was no script or step-by-step guide for our chapter dealing with this health crisis…there hadn’t been this serious a pandemic since the influenza epidemic in the early 1900’s.
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Polymorphism or Spring Treasure Hunt at Raptor Center

Lorelei Stierlen, 2014 – Both photos are of the beautiful Blackland Prairie native coreopsis tinctoria or plains coreopsis. A member of the Asteraceae (Aster) family, it is an annual forb, and the blooms are described as yellow surrounding a reddish centre – but the blooms of one of these plants is all red. How can that be?
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Clymer Meadow Projects in 2022

Tom Shackelford, 2018 – (2020-2021 President) – Clymer Meadow Projects:  Remnant Blackland Prairie restoration, preservation, maintenance, seed collection, plant/ wildlife & insect surveys.  This project includes Clymer Meadow, Park Hill Prairie, County Line Prairie, Matthew’s Prairie and other outlying remnant prairies.
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Bird Prints in the Snow

Mental Wanderings

Sally Evans, 2006 – Founder & Emeritus – A wide swath of trees and vines and junipers has grown up along the back by a creek.  The front part was mowed several times a summer but often the grasses grew knee high and swayed in the breezes.  That lot became the resting place or home for the wild life that moved up and down the creek.  Birds roosted or nested in the trees and shrubs.  In one far corner a cottonwood tree grew twice as high as the rest of the trees and became the site for hawks sunning or scanning…
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Shells to warm your hearts

Lauren Bendiksen, 2019 – I am excited that the Lightning Whelk is the Texas Master Naturalist Program 2022 Annual Re-Certification pin. I grew up in Dallas, and our family’s vacations to South Padre Island were definitely a jumping off point for my love of nature due to the excitement of searching for seashells. I became absolutely obsessed with seashells. My maternal grandparents also lived near the coast in Florida, so you can imagine my joy when we were able to visit them and go to the beach, allowing me additional options for collecting seashells. 
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Reflections on Sara Dykman’s Bicycling with Butterflies Book

Greg Tonian, 2017 – Ideas are like Fireflies, Brief flashes in the dark, blinking. Talk is cheap, Life’s opportunities fleeting. Dreams evaporate. Yet Sara put mettle to pedal, She set out on her quest, Before it was too late. Her goal was simple yet mad. It would require lots of planning, Lots of charts, Though she wanted to be spontaneous, A journey of this type, Had many moving parts. Courage and persistence she did not lack She simply bicycled with the Monarchs, From Mexico to Canada and back. 10,201 miles, 232 days, Travelling countless byways.
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Edition 27 – Shaking The Trees – December 13, 2021

Member Emeritus – Deborah Canterbury

Deborah Canterbury was awarded the title Member Emeritus at the December 14 meeting and gifted a beautiful stain glass dragonfly Tiffany style lamp. MEMBER EMERITUS.  On June 18th of this year President Tom received a note from a Chapter member asking him to consider the following.  In the past there have been members who were awarded the title of ‘Emeritus’ due to their diligence with the chapter.  I would like to recommend that the chapter bestow a pat on the back to several other members of this chapter that have helped to make it so very special and are still working…

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Honorary Membership – Bill Woodfin

Longtime friend and supporter of the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist Chapter, Bill Woodfin received his Honorary Membership Badge at the December, 14th 2021 meeting for his volunteer efforts within our chapter and the community.
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Thank you, Mike Roome

At the end of 2021 Immediate Past President Mike Roome will be leaving the board. He served as President in 2018-2019 and as IPP through this year. During this time, he was severely ill, but as soon as he could he returned to his board duties. His leadership, positive outlook and grateful heart will be missed at the monthly board meetings.
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Plano Heritage Farmstead Light Festival

From Lu Anne Ray (BPTMN VH/AT Director): We all know that COVID has made it difficult for many of the places where we volunteer to continue to operate including The Plano Heritage Farmstead Museum. But hats off to the Farmstead Board and management as they continue to look for creative programs to help make ends meet and keep their doors open, including a new Lights on the Farm event. The Plano Heritage Farmstead Museum is partnering up with Professional Lighting Company First Choice Lights to create the Holiday event of the season. Lights on the Farm will run for 17 nights (Fri, Sat, Sun)…

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2021 Chapter Elections

At our November 9, 2021 chapter meeting Rick Travis was elected to serve as President for the next two years. At the same meeting Page Schreck was re-reelected to serve as Treasurer for the next two years. Page and Rick are both active Master Naturalists, Page is the incumbent Treasurer, serving since 2020. Rick served as Vice President in 2019-2020 and leads the Frisco Prairie Restoration projects. Please welcome these two invaluable members back to the BPTMN board.

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2021 Greensource DFW Green Project Award – Alex Dubovsky

Our very own BPTMN Member Alex Dubovsky and his Trinity Coalition Water Trail Team were awarded the 2021 Green Project Award from Greensource DFW. What an honor for all this team’s commitment and hard work on the Trinity River Paddling Trail. Read more about the award at Greensource DFW link and scroll down to Green Project.
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Edition 26 – Shaking The Trees – November 2, 2021

2021 Greensource DFW Sustainable Leadership Award – Bob Mione

The Texas Master Naturalist Blackland Prairie Chapter is pleased to announce that chapter member Bob Mione (Class of 2012) has been selected to receive a 2021 Green Source DFW Sustainable Leadership Award. Congratulations Bob!  Bob will be receiving the Unsung Hero Award for his work as volunteer manager for the Connemara Meadow in Allen. Over the past decade, he’s been leading the restoration of the meadow’s Blackland prairie. He has also been very involved working to reintroduce Bobwhite quail to Collin County.  “There are few others who have given as much of their time, energy, and passion to restoring the Blackland Prairie in the DFW…

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Our Tribe’s Fortune 1000 – Loreli Stierlen

I found the BPTMN booth at the 2013 Learn 2 Live Green event where I was a volunteer for Live Green in Plano. So I started attending the BPTMN meetings, got to talking with members and decided that was the organization where I needed to be. I started volunteering at BPRC right off the bat as a trail guide, and I’ve been there ever since.
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2021 Annual Photo Contest Winner

Janice James, 2018 We are so pleased to report that BPTMN member Janice James won first place in the Texas Master Naturalist 2021 Annual Meeting Digitally Enhanced Photo Contest with her entry entitled “Old Soul.” The red-eared slider turtle was just sitting on a log by the boardwalk at the Heard.  I was there with some dear friends from out of town that were visiting – the photo was the last ‘hike’, and the last ‘visit’, that I had for months, as it was on March 10, 2020.  So it resonates for that reason too. 🙂 The app was called Deep…

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2021 Annual Conference

Tom Shackelford, 2018 – President 2021 Annual Conference Blackland Prairie Chapter Members photo by Tom Shackelford 2021 Annual Conference Dave Powell 5,000 Service Hours Recognition photo by Tom Shackelford

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Frisco Arborfest Event Tree Planting, Woodland Walk, and Prairie Buffalo Stomp Seed Toss, Oh My!

The Frisco Parks Department held an extraordinarily successful “Arborfest Tree Walk and Buffalo Stomp” nature event at Frisco Commons Park on Saturday, Oct. 30. Several Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists played significant roles in both the preparation for this event, and as participants in the event itself. The “Buffalo Stomp” portion of the event is a native plant seedball toss in the prairie restoration area at Frisco Commons. Well, to make seedballs, you need seed! Several BPTMN’s helped harvest native flora and grass seed form a large natural area in Frisco’s Northwest Community Park. Over several late summer and early fall…

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New Trails page

Michelle Connally, 2018 Over the past year, chapter members Jean Suplick and Duane Mortenson have shared some great information about local trails in the area. We also have some monthly VH available by helping the North Texas Chapter with the Trinity Buckeye Trail Project. We wanted to create a central location to peruse these Trails posts involving our fellow chapter members. Now you can find the BPTMN trails page at – https://txmn.org/bptmn/trails/ or from the Menu, click on Members, Trails. Do you know of a great trail for flora and/ or fauna viewing or peaceful walk. Please share your experience…

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Edition 25 – Shaking The Trees – October 3, 2021

Our Tribe’s Fortune 1000 – Lauren Bendiksen

Lauren Bendiksen, 2019 I am a born and bred Texan, having grown up in Dallas. I only moved away from the area for college at Texas A&M-College Station. I have always loved nature. As a child, I would swing in our backyard for what seemed like hours. I loved to climb our home’s trees. I loved exploring the local creek. I have always adored animals so loved looking for toads, butterflies, caterpillars, birds… anything could keep me engaged outdoors. My very favorite item from nature was (and and probably still is) seashells. Anytime we ventured to South Padre for family…

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Prosper Butterfly Garden

Citizen Science in your community? You Betcha!

Georgette Guernsey, 2004 I have explored the Prosper Butterfly Garden in Whitley Place subdivision once a week since March.  Below is a checklist of the plants I have identified during these visits.  All have been confirmed by either iNaturalist, botany monitors or “Shinner’s and Mahler’s Flora of North Central Texas” by Diggs, Lipscomb, Reed, O’Kennon.  The plants for the most part are described as growing in clay or calcareous soils that have been disturbed or overgrazed.
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Fall is here

Sally Evans, 2006; Founder & Emeritus Leaves are fluttering down; Butterflies are fluttering around; Hummingbirds are fluttering as they nectar. Lizards are sunning; Squirrels are running; Red lilies are stunning in the back garden sector. A full harvest moon Makes young lovers swoon ; We know fall’s tune but can’t see the director. The cooler fall weather Has released the air conditioner’s tether, And I can’t tell whether I should be mentor For a Cook out, A hike or bike out, Or a full-blown party with Halloween décor. Whatever I choose; whatever you pick, Be it a steak or a…

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Lavon Lake Trinity Trail

Duane Mortensen, 2018 Lavon Lake is the largest lake contained within Collin County.  The length of its shoreline stretches 121 miles, and the managed wildlife area surrounding the lake boasts 6400 acres.  Given the fact it is so close to millions of people, why is it so little used?  Given the number of undisturbed acres, I would argue that it is under-represented in iNaturalist data.  Part of the answer lies in the poor condition of the parks surrounding the lake.  Road access, restrooms and signage are regularly in disrepair.  If you ignore the disrepair on the edges of the park,…
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Heard Sanctuary Fall/ Winter Volunteer existing projects

Tom Shackelford, 2018; President The Heard Sanctuary is seeking volunteers to assist in the restoration and preservation of multiple sanctuary projects at the Heard.  This is an existing project that has been in place for some time and there is now a renewed effort to address opportunities.  This is available to any interested individual and is a great way for interested Master Naturalists to earn volunteer hours.  Specific projects follow below.
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Annual Sunflower

Sally Evans, 2006; Founder & Emeritus The annual sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus) was one of the most plentiful and versatile plants the Indians had available.  It was convertible into a dye, a liniment, a medicine, a coffee, and a delectable food.  By boiling the crushed seeds, an oil could be skimmed off and used for cooking or as a hair dressing, whatever the need at the time.  Nature provides many teas, but few coffees.  Delicious coffee was made by roasting and boiling the seeds as we roast and boil the coffee bean.  Black and purple dyes were also derived from the…
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Edition 24 – Shaking The Trees – September 1, 2021

Sun over BPRC Park

What is happening at Brockdale park?

Michelle Connally, 2014 Have you been out to the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center lately? Take a gander at the recent photos provided by Lorelei Stierlen and peruse the new opportunities all in one place! 2021-08 BPRC Pond View – LStierlen Events happening at the BPRC include: Thursday, September 9, 2021 – VH Opportunity The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center is hosting an iNaturalist bioblitz in Brockdale Park.  Observations made during this event will count for the Fall Socially Distant BioBlitz project.  Enjoy the morning in the beautiful park and help the BPTMN accumulate points toward becoming the DFW master naturalist chapter…

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Frisco Northwest Community Park Volunteers - Leah Justice, Lisa Travis, Nick Ward, Michelle Norris, Jeff Witt, and Jean Suplick happy with completing another successful day of harvesting seed at NW Park

Northwest Community Park

Rick Travis, 2018 Northwest Community Park in Frisco is largely undeveloped, with a DORBA biking trail system. It’s very rich in native grasses and flora, and has been a great source of native seed and plants for Frisco Parks prairie restoration efforts. We’ll spend September and part of October at NW park harvesting seed, which will be redistributed into the prairie restoration sites at Frisco Commons and Cottonwood Creek Parks.
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Rattle Snake Master plant

New plant at Wylie Prairie

Dave Powell, 2007 While I was gathering grass seed at Wylie on Thursday I came across a new plant for the area. Yes the grass seed is starting to get where it can be harvested even though it is a little early. It gets quite hot at Wylie with few trees so you have to limit your time. Eastern Gama Grass has dropped most of its seeds already but Sideoats Grama is starting to be ready even though some of it is still blooming. Oh yeah the new plant is Rattle Snake Master. 2021-08 Rattle Snake Master plant. Photo by…

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Cicada

August in Cicadia

Greg Tonian, 2017 The neighborhood is abuzz. A hot, sultry breeze, Envelops the trees. Brown, papier mache creatures climb out of the loam, Clinging to brick and branch with tiny hooks, Soon to cleave asunder, Extruding, winged phantasms. I find these abandoned climbing nymph husks, And the fanciful flying creatures that they set free Scattered on the concrete byways of Cicadia. “Sweet dreams and” Flying “machines in pieces on the ground” (James Taylor), I think to myself.
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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Ernie Stokley, 2015

Deborah Canterbury, 2014 Curator’s Note: It is wonderful to know about the continuing individual involvements of our members that leads to milestone status. Now and then a member’s response says it all about what turns a Chapter into a tribe. Ernie Stokley’s musings sort of reflect the reasons why every person who stays with the chapter. The primary mission is to teach in order to arm every student with tools to go out and stamp out ignorance and become involved in their communities. Staying a chapter member is a choice. I like to think it is based on putting that…

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Edition 23 – Shaking The Trees – August 2, 2021

Kids in Nature

Introducing Kids to Nature from One Mother to Another

Daphne Lynch, 2019 Like many of you, I fell in love with nature as a child. I grew up in the rural mountains of Pennsylvania with acres of forest to explore at my feet. Fast forward to adulthood and I found myself starting a family in the DFW area. I now have two children of my own, two boys (a 3 year old and a 7 month old). It is a priority of mine to help them understand and appreciate the nature around them, but I have been struggling on how to accomplish this in the suburban setting. I…
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Check out the updated Outreach Topics!

What is your naturalist passion, what can you talk about for 20 minutes straight? We want to know! We have quite a few talented Master Naturalists whose interests align with our Outreach Program. Rhonda Sanchez our Outreach Director recently updated our list of topics to include Fish of the Blackland Prairie, Bobwhite Quail Restoration and Cosmology. Find out what other topics are available by clicking HERE or from the Top Menu, Click About Us, then Click Outreach. If you are interested in spreading your joy of nature with others, contact Rhonda at outreach@bptmn.org.

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Chapter Meetings now available online!

Chapter Meetings now available online though our Vimeo account. This link is also available in the Upper Right Hand Corner of our bptmn.org site. If you missed any of our recent chapter meeting presentations, you can now view recordings online!
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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Cindy Napper, 2017

Deborah Canterbury, 2014 Congratulations to Cindy Napper on her 500 hour pin. Cindy Napper, 2017 I graduated with the 2017 class and became a Naturalist because I saw how much fun Paul was having. There’s a whole chapter I could write on how he was revitalized before my eyes while going thru training and afterwards, and it was just so inspiring to see him be excited about something!  I wanted some of that… I was invited to be on the Ed. Comm. by Greg Hayden in 2018; I told him I didn’t feel that I could offer anything but he…

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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Michelle Connally, 2018

Deborah Canterbury, 2014 Congratulations to Michelle Connally on her 500 hour pin. Michelle Connally, 2018 Came across the Texas Master Naturalists training program on my quest to learn all things about growing food in North Texas.  Each year as a Master Naturalist I learn more about the beautiful clay soil, our local flora, specifically edible natives. The wide variety of programs offered to our members continue to expand my gardening and cooking experiences. In addition to my volunteer time at BPTMN, I tend to a donation garden 15-20 hours per week.  My 500 VH hours were accumulated by accepting the…

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Edition 22 – Shaking The Trees – July 2, 2021

Blackland Prairie TMN Graduation 2021

Summary by Jean Suplick, 2018 Meet the Class of 2021! These new members of the Blackland Prairie Chapter blazed a new path through our basic training program and are eager to get out there and engage in our volunteer activities. Be sure to introduce yourself to them the next chance you get. Class of 2021 initial certifications: Heather Fell, Sarah Densmore, Karen Driks, Lorrie Mathers, Sue Kacines, Nancy Riggs, Sue Makuta. Class of 2021 double certifications: Heather Fell, Sarah Densmore, Karen Driks

Photos by Charlise Hill-Larson, 2019

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Screenshot of Video

Ode to Virus

Michelle Connally, 2018 Starting in April 2020, the Shaking of the Trees newsletter provided myself and others a connection to our fellow chapter members in a time of isolation. Hooked from Edition 1 including posts about Cynthia’s Frankford Prairie Wild Hyacinths, Donna Cole’s brown snake, Clyde’s owls, a link to Carol’s World Blog, Susan’s Homemade mask request, Sally’s poem “Seeing ’round the bend, Laura’s Heard update, Tasha’s wildlife management approval, Ed’s covid tips and Beverly’s lovely azaleas, man I could not wait for Canter’s Edition 2 and here we are today on Edition 22. Over the spring of 2021, Sally…

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The Call of The Chattahoochee

Greg Tonian, 2017 The Chattahoochee flows from Blue Ridge Mountain To Apalachicola Delta, Past Helen and Suburban Atlanta. These two places I visited, The possibilities to explore, unlimited. All was swell in Roswell. Mostly Merry in Marietta. Dallas Georgia family, also near, Was mostly in the clear. But like the river, Clouded by ocassional rain, Like the area roads, Never without curves and dips, Ups and downs.
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What we have seen

Dave Powell, 2007 My three spiny Fence Lizards are here as is my Anole however I have noticed the insect population is down. I attributed it to the freeze which might have killed a lot of insect larva that was getting close to maturity, the rain does not seem to cause the same thing. Maybe someone else can give definitive answer.
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Expansion of the Great Texas Wildlife Trail

Jean Suplick, 2018 Our Blackland Prairie Chapter adopted the Lake Lavon and Tawakoni loops which include places many will be familiar with: Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve, the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Clymer Meadow, and Lake Lavon Trinity Trail.
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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Logan Plunkett, 2017 and Debbie Doyle, 2017

Debbie Doyle, 2017 My classmates might remember me as the broken legged lady that could barely do squat! (Literally!) I am still indebted to my friend and classmate Greg Tonian, who drove me to classes and meetings for months when I couldn’t drive. Despite my slow start, I now feel like an essential team member at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, particularly during the Covid lockdown when BPRC operated with only a skeleton crew of volunteers.
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Edition 21 – Shaking The Trees – June 10, 2021

Clyde’s Screech Owl box – Wildlife VRBO

Clyde Camp, 2011 Clyde has had little luck with the residents of his screech owl box making it through birth and fledging. You will laugh out loud at the attached videos titled Tree Rat Homemaking and Noon Scratch and Snooze. Turn the volume up. https://youtu.be/-voQ-yLg10w https://youtu.be/bFAC4pMCQzQ Find out more about Clyde’s Screech Owls at his website. http://www.crcamp.com

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2021 Re-certification Pin – Side Oats Grama

Deborah Canterbury, 2014 This year’s pin is the Side-Oats Grama, the state grass. So, here is your did-ja-know re: side-oats gramma. 2021-05-22 Tom Shackelford and Jennie SawyerChapter Pin drive-by eventPhoto by Deborah Canterbury2021 Texas Master Naturalists Recertification Pin Side Oats GramaPhoto by Deborah Canterbury First, local information. Dave Powell says that side-oats grama is on the three locations at which he volunteers/manages. “We seeded Wylie, it was already at Erwin Park in McKinney. All of the prairies at the Heard are at some stage of restoration however, it could have been on the edge of the pastures.” Bob Mione said…

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Tom’s Backyard

Tom Shackelford, 2018 – President We spend time in our back yard almost every day and sometimes I am quick enough to snap a shot with my phone.  Two years ago I took out about 1/4 of the grass and am attempting to get native grass and wildflowers to grow instead.  It is slowly starting to change and it seems that nature has started to assist with the remodel.  There is a definitely a more robust and diverse population than a few years ago. It appears that a new family has taken up residence in the vacant house in our…

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Musings from Paul

Paul Napper, 2016 – Project Manager for Allen Senior Center Native Plant Garden Generic Photo of Allen Senior Recreation Center Photo By https://www.ntmwd.com/ Paul brought up an interesting observation at the Allen Senior Center Native Plant Garden. He has noticed that since the freeze and rains seeds that had not sprouted in six years are coming up and that some trees and other plants are growing like crazy. He has also observed different habits in birds and fauna. Share your thoughts and observations with us for the next issue. Let’s have some good old citizen science reports…and of course, photos.

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man helping man sunset

Yes, We Can!

Deborah Canterbury, 2014 Over the past several months we have always posted a “if you need anything, let us know.” We have a few opportunities to help our tribe members. For various reasons, a few native gardens and yards are in need of some TLC. The homeowners would love to share the joy and explain their concepts. So, we need several volunteers willing to go chat, pull, plant and learn from these fellow members by helping them spiff up their property and sharing the joy of their gardens. If you would like to become a member of the native brigade…

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Aint Afraid of No Weed Whackers

Deborah Canterbury, 2014 The Heritage Farmstead native plot has had an interesting and inspiring past. Starting as a project by Master Naturalists and guided along as a Junior Naturalist project at a nearby school in Plano, it has tripled in size over the past decade as has the volunteer list. As reported several weeks ago, the caregivers thought that is was going to be a disaster recovery after an over-zealous property crew weed whacked everything down to the ground. The students who studied at the plot experimented with “buffalo stomping” with success and selective pruning seemed to make things thrive…

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Edition 20 – Shaking The Trees – May 10, 2021

2021-05 Heard Paleo Lab Green River Fish Fossil - Canterbury

Green River Fish to Feed the Imagination

By Deborah Canterbury, 2014 The Heard Paleo Lab prepared 16 Green River Fish fossils to accompany the latest addition to the Heard Museum, a high quality plesiosaurus. The fish, donated by chapter member Jim Dulian, represent six species of fish from 50 million years ago. Photos are of Mittie McDonald and Patti Tuck as they add finishing touches to a few of the fossils and photos of the fossils as well. The lab team under the watchful eyes of Pat and Margie Kline not only prepped the fossils but also constructed the display cases. Other team members are Karleen Hoffmann,…

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2021-05 Raptor Center Black Willow Update - Zartler

Raptor Center – Black Willow doing well

By Dirk Zartler, 2007 Looks like the Black Willow cuttings planted in the shoreline at the Raptor center are doing well. A recent check indicates about 80-90% are alive, rooting, and budding or leafing out…some are even flowering. Black Willow photo by Dirk Zartler Black WIllow photo by Dirk Zartler Original Shoring up the Raptor Center Shoreline Post by Dirk Zartler

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Milk vetch Astragalus crassicarpus

Clymer Beauty

By Tom Shackelford, 2018 Visiting and working at the Clymer Meadow is a siren song for Master Naturalists in this area of Texas. Enjoy the beauty in the photos (Click on each photo for new window of the larger image) Follow this link to learn about this Nature Conservancy land. remnant prairie, “Fleabane in foreground” Photo by Tom Shackelford Ground Plum / Milk vetch – Astragalus crassicarpus Photo by Tom Shckelford Purple paintbrush – Castille purpurea Photo by Tom Shackelford Yellow Wild Indigo – Baptisia sphaerocarpa Photo by Tom Shackelford

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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Laurie Sheppard

By Laurie Sheppard, 2017 Our Tribe’s Fortune – 500 Hour Pin Recipient (Hard in good times but “Wow” in a pandemic!) I do most of my volunteering at Hagerman NWR. I began volunteering there in 2009, shortly after I discovered the magic of the refuge. Every day is different and there’s always something new to discover. The Friends of Hagerman gave me an avenue to explore, identify, and report my discoveries. I did this through writing an occasional blog post, creating a handout, or simply posting photos of things I had seen along with a little description of my research.…

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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Matt DeLozier

By Matt DeLozier, 2013 (Alamo Area Chapter – San Antonio) Our Tribe’s Fortune – 500 Hour Pin Recipient (Hard in good times but “Wow” in a pandemic!) Most of my service comes from working with Texas Parks and Wildlife, which is how I was introduced to the program in the first place. If any park reaches out for assistance (no matter how far away) I will usually find a way to help – teach a class, work on trails, pull invasive species, etc. I even designed and installed a geocaching course at a state park that had received some grant…

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500 Hours Silver Pin

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Rick Park

By Rick Park, 2020 Our Tribe’s Fortune – 500 Hour Pin Recipient (Hard in good times but “Wow” in a pandemic!) I volunteer at both Connemara and the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. Both afford me the opportunity to be outside and keep busy even with COVID. These locations allowed me to volunteer while keeping a safe distance from other volunteers. Both locations provide projects which are physical and mentality enriching. It is satisfying knowing I am getting a good physical workout, learning about prairies/grasses and forbs while contributing to the restoration of our original fauna.

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Cicada

15 Baffling Cicada Facts

Article Submission by Tony Manasseri, 2007 Photo Submitted by Deborah Canterbury The year of the cicada has received lots of hype in the radio media. People rescheduling outdoor weddings, sharing recipes, relating experiences. Author of the article Olivia Young. Check out this article titled “15 Baffling Cicada Facts” published at Treehugger.com

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Heard Plant Sale 2021 Prep

By Deborah Canterbury with Photos by Shari Navarette In the era BPL (Before Pandemic Lockdown) we had a member, Shari Navarette, volunteer to be the chapter photographer. That job was shelved after the March meeting – which was her first official assignment. She was at the Heard sale setup last week and is back in business. While the number of plants was down for the 2021 Heard Plant Sale, the quality of offerings was top-notch with some not-always-seen items. Then came the storm threat on Friday. Fortunately it held off, the members-only line stretched through the parking lot to the…

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Dove Chicks in Nest

Doves nest location choices

By Clyde Camp, 2011 and Beverly Carpenter, 2013 Doves are not good nest builders as is apparent from photos from Clyde Camp and Beverly Carpenter. Beverly’s example is in a hanging plant. Dove Nest photo by Beverly Carpenter Clyde found a nest on the hose hanger on side of his house. Dove Nest on Hose photo by Clyde Camp Dove Chicks photo by Clyde Camp

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Jim’s Crowned Night Herons Update

Remember the Golden crowned night herons that have nested in Jim Dulian’s yard? (See Below for article and photos) They came back, hung around a bit, decided they did not like the tree trimming and left. Haven’t been seen again.

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An Acquaintance

By Sally Evans, Member Emeritus and Class of 2000. A cotton tailed rabbit in my garden dwells, lifting its nose to smell the smellsAnd lifting its ears to hear the sounds.It has eaten the pansies one by one; I’m not sure what other eating it has doneAs it makes its nightly rounds.It seems to have lost its rabbitly fear of the dog and two people who are living hereFor it often just stands its ground.Daily I do a garden ‘walk-about’ seeing which plants should be pulled outOr what new ones can be found,And the rabbit sits and watches me, letting…

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Edition 19 – Shaking The Trees – April 12, 2021

Winter Ducks at Russell Creek Park

By John Garbutt, 2014 To some, winter and Uri are now four letter words never to be spoken again as we enter spring.  As a birder, the harbinger of spring, Barn Swallows, have been here since the first of March and are flying past my window. The trees outside are leafing out. This however is about the ducks who visit us in winter. I always look forward to the annual arrival of wintering ducks. A favorite place to observe and photograph them is Russell Creek Park in Plano. I discovered it a couple of winters ago when using eBird to…

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After Weeding at Prairie Farmstead

Native Plant Garden at Plano Heritage Farmstead

By Bryan Beck, 2017 The native plant garden at the Plano Heritage Farmstead Museum has been through a lot in the past month or so.  First, came the boot-deep snows and the bone-chilling cold.  Next was the eighty-degree temperatures that we had at the end of February.  Then hail and even fog reared their ugly heads.  And, most recently we have seen the pre-April showers and wind that we are accustomed to getting around here.  But none of these plagues could stunt the emergence of our wonderful prairie natives at the Farmstead! Before weeding at Prairie Farmstead photo by Bryan…

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Quail Chick in Hand

Quail Quest 2021

By Bob Mione, 2012 The past three years, Kristin and Mark Payne have incubated and brooded BW quail chicks for us at Connemara. When the BW’s were old enough, normally about 6 to 8 weeks old, they would bring them to the Meadow where they were held in our big “acclimation” pen until they were released at the Meadow, Raptor Center, Bill and Fran Woodfin’s farm or within the City of Plano.  Bob White Quail chick photo by Leah Beck This year, the Payne’s did not have enough room to brood out the BW’s, so I reached out to the…

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Gorman Falls Waterfall

Bend in the River

By Greg Tonian, 2016 We came together at the river bend, To witness flowing milky blue green water, Laden with Llano Estacado dust, pulsing its lode toward the Matagorda Bay. Meeting half way between the angry clouds that enveloped us this morning and the vast, star-filled skies that would expand above us later that evening, We laced up our hiking boots for an exploration of time and space. I had squeezed between semis and sheets of rain in the dark leaving Dallas, While you evaded slowdowns in Austin only to arrive here a few minutes behind me. Somewhere past Lampasas,…

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Prescribed Burn by Firemen - Stierlen

Feeling the Burn: Controlled burn at BPRC

by Lorelei Stierlen, 2014 Our team, Dick Zartler, Rick Park, Steve Their and I had spent weeks preparing the fire breaks and cutting the cedars, applying all the lessons learned from the 2020 burn. We had implemented creative solutions to the problem of a lack of fuel on the ground in certain areas to ensure a complete burn on the entire west side. There were many pounds of seed standing by in my garage. Everything was inspected and approved by January. We were ready. Then it snowed, followed by what seemed to be never ending rain – and that did…

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Volunteers for Heard Plant Sale Needed

By Carol Clark, Laura Ragen, Fran & Bill Woodfin et al 2010, 2014, 2007 Photo courtesy of Heard Museum Plant Sale Best Testimonial ever: “A lot of what I have learned about native plants came from attending the sales at the Heard yearly.”– Carol Clark The oldest (two decades), largest and most consistent native plant sale in North Texas is up and running again this year at the Heard Museum. Beside this brief history of the Heard Native Plant Sale there are a few things to know. Despite the weather, growers were not drastically affected by the deep freeze and…

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Edition 18 – Shaking The Trees – March 1, 2021

Screech Owls

Curious George Settles in for the Day

By Clyde Camp, 2011 Curious George arrives at about 20 seconds into the video link and settles in for the day. He’s verbally accosted by a couple of jays and a squirrel about midway through the video. George is the male of the last breeding season (spring, 2020) – a grey-phase Eastern Screech Owl. His mate then was a red-phase female named Hunter. Their breeding attempt was unsuccessful with two clutches of eggs, neither of which hatched. They are both visiting the box off and on again and probably staking their claim on it in late fall 2020. https://youtu.be/HOEaihBhFfg You…

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Texas Alliance Logo

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Update

Written By Richard Heilbrun, TPWD Richard Heilbrun, who is well known by TMN’s and is Program Leader at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department,has been actively involved with The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. We recently asked him about its progress since not much comes out of D.C. nowadays that is not related to COVID. The Wildlife Act made substantial progress in 2020. The standalone bill, HR 3742, passed out of committee with bipartisan support. The text of that bill, slightly altered, was inserted into HR 2, which passed the US House on July 20 and was sent it to the US…

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Red buds blooming

What a Difference a Week Makes

By Sally Evans, Founder and Emeritus THEN: By the time anyone reads this epistle the Backyard Bird Count will be over, the Great Winter Storm will be over, Valentine’s Day will be over, and we will be working on the pandemic to be over!  It has been a difficult time for people on so many areas of their lives with survival being uppermost.  Actually the GBBC came at a good time because many folks could not do anything else except peep out the draped windows at the birds coming in to find what food they could.  Bird feeders came to…

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Frisco Natural Area Restoration Opportunities

By Rick Travis, 2018 Hurray!!! Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist Chapter and the Frisco Parks and Recreation Department have reached an agreement that allows our chapter members to provide VH eligible restoration and maintenance efforts within the natural areas located in various Frisco parks, such as Frisco Commons, Cottonwood Creek, Northwest Community parks, and the Stewart Creek Wetlands Preserve.   The Stewart Creek Wetlands Preserve Both weekend and weekday work sessions in the Frisco park natural areas will begin mid-March and can be found on the BPTMN calendar. Initial work will focus on the prairie restoration site at Frisco Commons…

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Squirrels in Snow

Chip and Dale Still Entertain

By Deborah Canterbury, 2014 As I have nothing better to do than stare out my window into the back yard, I have been highly entertained by the two squirrels who frequent my bird feeders and scoff at my futile attempts to deter them. So I did some fact finding to assure me that I am smarter than a squirrel and that I still know how to read and research. Fact #1: They Were Brought into U.S. Parks Intentionally Squirrels can be pests around your property, but did you know that they were introduced to American nature parks intentionally?After the Industrial…

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people on shoreline

Shoring up the Shoreline at Raptor Center

By Dick Zartler, 2007 During the first week in March a group of Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists, led by Rick Travis and Lorelei Stierlen and joined by Lisa Travis, Susan Abernethy and Dick Zartler, planted over 300 cuttings to help stabilize the BPRC’s eastern shoreline on Lavon lake. The eastern shoreline, on the open lake, steep and consisting of unconsolidated clays, has been eroded over almost 70 years by a combination of “wave wash” from passing boats and periodic changes in water levels. The cuttings were about 18” to 24” long and consisted of black willows and buttonbushes, both water-loving…

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Edition 17 – Shaking The Trees – February 1, 2021

Edition 16 – Shaking The Trees – January 11, 2021

Edition 15 – Shaking The Trees – December 1, 2020

Edition 14 – Shaking The Trees – November 1, 2020

Edition 13 – Shaking The Trees – October 15, 2020

Edition 12 – Shaking The Trees – October 1, 2020

Linda Nixon – September Membership Report

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Membership Totals:    ·  167-active members  |  28-in-training  |  312-inactive/interested members  Total Re-Certifications:  60New Re-Certifications:  ·  Brendan Blackwell, Tony…

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Edition 11 – Shaking The Trees – September 1, 2020

Edition 10 – Shaking The Trees – August 15, 2020

Edition 09 – Shaking The Trees – August 1, 2020

Edition 01 – Shaking The Trees – April 2020

Frankford Prairie Hyacinths by Cynthia Alexander-Coday

Wild Hyacinths (Camassia scilloides) of Frankford Prairie

Cynthia Alexander-Coday – reprint from Shaking of the Trees Newsletter First Edition dated April 12, 2020. Down in Dallas, east of the tollway but still in Collin County, there is a historic church & cemetery that were part of the Frankford settlement in the mid-late 1800s.
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