Dick and Lorelei guided about 9 tribe members through the prairie acres of the Raptor Center. They gave an overview of the needs for trail guides and of the exciting restoration and preservation efforts.
Photos compliments of Tasha Patterson, new class representative on the board. It was exciting to see Brockdale liatris among the prairie community members. And yes, that is Dick and Lorelei center stage.
September 12, 2020
This week is a big biodiversity search in our DFW area but I have been unable to participate due to other circumstances. So today I took a walk in my yard. I discovered I had missed three moon blooms last evening as their blooms were now hanging listlessly on the vine. BUT there is the promise of two more coming and very soon. I will have to be watchful after the sunset. As I looked at the blooms I became aware of a parade of ants going up and down a metal fence post. Those going up were ‘empty-handed’ but those going down were carrying egg sacks to a new destination on the ground in the ground cover. They had apparently taken those precious bundles to a high spot during the rains – which happens to be a hole in my fence. As a I watched them I was aware of another movement as a very small green anole moved along the fence and then jumped into a bush for a morsel to eat. This animal was less than an inch long but its tail was at least two inches long.
All over the yard are patches of surprise lilies in a brilliant orange red color. They suddenly pop up from the ground after that first fall rain – September 1 was the date this year – and they have continued coming up and blooming since them. Some have started their decline by losing their vivid color. I noted that in one area some were laying on the ground and something had stepped on them and broken them. Who or what was exploring my garden when I wasn’t looking? A tiny toad – about a half a penny size – moved away from my big feet. He could only hop a few inches but he did so quickly and disappeared in the ground cover of leaves.
I walked around a corner and found another anole of a more adult size. Part of its tail was green but the lower half was smaller and brown. I would guess it had met with a predator and was able to escape with just the loss of part of its anatomy. As I watched it climb up a wall of the green house a very small frog suddenly jumped high into the air and continued hopping towards a bush. I had finally seen one of the Rio Grande frogs that I can hear so often at night. Biodiversity journeys are often found at home.
Lu Anne: I heard this sweet guy singing this morning and found him in our backyard. A little sun beam on a very cloudy, wet day. Many thanks to all the folks working on the bobwhite restoration project at the Connemara.
Actually he did have a lady friend. She flew away as soon I opened my back door. He let me get within 10 feet of him and stayed around for quite awhile. I’m glad she seems to have some wild instincts…hoping next season’s chicks take after their mom!
Bob: We do too. Our plans are to purchase “wild strain” eggs next year, which means that at least one parent is “wild”. Lots of opinions about loss of DNA from domestic/pen raised BW’s, my vote is to go with seems logical, the more wild the better. We hope to work with a couple of breeders and after a few generations, have chicks we can release that approach 75% “wild”. If you get another chance, try to get a video to capture the “call’.
Well, as an added bonus listen in to this bird whisperer on You Tube by Texas Wildlife Association. You will enjoy:
PBS has a quick Gross Science edition just about Ant speak.
Click Here or on the Screenshot to go to the Page and Video!
Membership Totals:
· 167-active members | 28-in-training | 312-inactive/interested members
Total Re-Certifications: 60
New Re-Certifications:
· Brendan Blackwell, Tony Manasseri, Michael Petrick, Mike Roome, Curtis Schulze, Greg Tonian, Sharon Wagner, Susan Wilson, Carter Woodridge
Membership Changes:
· Transferred in – Francis (Ted) Bauman (North Texas Chapter Class of 2018)
· Re-Activated – Jim Manley (BPTMN Class of 2012)
Milestones:
· 250 Hours – Ted Bauman, Gregory Hupf, Rick Park
DOWNLOAD: Membership Statistical Report August 2020
Candidates for Board Positions
The BPTMN Officer Nomination Committee is currently seeking members interested in serving in several open elected and appointed positions on the BPTMN board of directors. The following positions need to be filled:
| Vice President | Elected position | Term: 24 months, begins January 2021 |
| Secretary | Elected position | Term: 24 months, begins January 2021 |
| Membership Director | Appointed position | Term: 12 months, begins January 2021 |
| Outreach Director | Appointed position | Term: 12 months, begins January 2021 |
Voting to elect candidates for the positions of vice president and secretary will take place at the chapter meeting on November 10, 2020.
If you are interested in serving in any of these positions, here are your next steps:
1. Get detailed information about the duties of each position – CLICK HERE
2. Contact the individuals currently serving in these positions to learn more:
Rick Travis, Vice President – rickt@bptmn.org
Valerie Dalton, Secretary – valeried@bptmn.org
Susan Smith, Membership Director – susans@bptmn.org
Susan Abernethy, Outreach Director – susana@ bptmn.org
You may also contact Tom Shackelford, President – toms@bptmn.org
3. Email a brief letter of interest stating your qualifications (skills and knowledge) by October 1, 2020 to: Mike Roome, Officer Nomination Committee Chair at mroome40@gmail.com.
Mike will set up a time to discuss the duties, requirements, and responsibilities of the office you are interested in and answer any questions you may have.
A Message from President Tom: Many of the current officers and directors, including myself, began serving on the board of directors several months after graduating as new Master Naturalists. What we all had in common was a desire to do what we could to serve our chapter and help make it one of the best in the state. So even though you may be just beginning to get your feet wet as Master Naturalist, you should know that serving on the board of directors is being on a team that works together and helps each other all the time.
