Leah Justice, Class of 2021 – “Being outside is my happy place. One day, I came across a conversation on social media about quails in Connemara where someone mentioned Texas Master Naturalists.”
Shaking the Trees
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.
Cypress Basin Chapter 11th Annual Flotilla – April 22, 2023
Michelle Connally, 2018 – As the sunbeams started to hit the water and trees, the sounds of a Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Parula, Eastern Kingbird, Mourning Dove, Prothonotary Warbler, and Carolina Wren were identified using the Merlin Bird ID app.
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.
Our Tribe’s Fortune 2500 Hours – Lisa Travis
Lisa Travis, 2018 and 2022-2023 New Class Director – I retired from teaching in 2017, but still have a passion for learning and sharing what I’ve learned.
Our Tribe’s Fortune 1000 Hours – Rick Park
Rick Park, 2020 – I was a member of the class of 2020. My introduction to the master naturalist program came from Bob Mione who I had been working with on restoration projects at the Connemara meadows.
Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Nancy Riggs
Nancy Riggs, 2021 – I love being a TMN!! I love everything outdoors! I am into birds and volunteer on Tuesday at Hagerman for the Bird Census.
Our Tribe’s Fortune 250 Hours – Rhonda Sanchez
Rhonda Sanchez, 2019 and 2021-2022 Outreach Director – My favorite volunteer activities are outreach for the Chapter, the Heard Museum and for LLELA.
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?
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.