Springing Back to Life

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Walker Ranch Historic Landmark Natural Area, Panther Spring Creek Trails

Today's photos:

The South Texas landscape never goes completely dormant during winter, but this time of year as the Spring equinox approaches, new plant growth becomes vividly apparent and the fauna become more active.

• The first photo appears to me to be an Eastern Phoebe. This isn't the best angle and lighting for identifying birds and I really didn't get a much better look at this one when I was taking the photos, but from what I can see, I can't think of a more likely possibility of what it could be.
• The second photo is a Black-crested Titmouse.
• The third photo is a Lesser Goldfinch.
• The fourth photo is Scarlet Sage, also known as tropical sage.
• The fifth photo is the top of a Cedar Elm (also known as fall elm) that is setting new leaves.
• The sixth photo is Huisache. There were so many huisache blooming, the fragrance from the flowers filled the air along the trail. An extract from these flowers is a common ingredient in perfume.
• The seventh and eighth photos are Prairie Verbena. These verbena are blooming here and there, but aren't yet as abundant as they were last year.
• The ninth photo is the top of another Cedar Elm tree.
• The tenth and eleventh photos are close up views of one of the branches of the cedar elm in photo nine. These two photos show a better view of the emerging leaves.
• The twelfth photo is an overview of the vegetation along Panther Spring Creek. The large tree on the opposite side of the creek is a Cedar Elm. The most common trees in this area are the cedar elm, the live oak and the Texas red oak.
• The thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth photos are Tasajillo, also known as Christmas cactus.
• The sixteenth photo is a female Northern Cardinal.
• The seventeenth and eighteenth photos are close ups of newly emergent Cedar Elm leaves.