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.
Current News
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.
Aquatics class at Connemara Meadow Preserve – June 3, 2023
Vicki Sanders, 2022 – On Saturday, June 3, members of the 2023 BPTMN Class joined LuAnne Ray for a “make-up” class on Aquatics in Connemara Meadow.
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
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.
Wild Flower tour of Clymer Meadow with Brandon Belcher – April 29, 2023
Vicki Sanders, 2022 – On Saturday, May 29, Brandon Belcher of The Nature Conservancy hosted a group of about 35 guests on a chilly morning tour of Clymer Meadow.
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!
Oak Point Park Nature Walk with Carol Clark – April 19, 2023
Vicki Sanders, 2022 – Mother Nature is running a little slow this Spring, but we still had plenty to see on our walk with Carol Clark on the Natural Wonders of Oak Park Nature Walk on April 19.
Texas Environmental Excellence Award Winner – Bob Mione
Deborah Canterbury, 2014 – Our very own, Bob Mione was awarded the Texas Environmental Excellence Award.