A few scattered patches of Orange Milkweed, also known as Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), grow along the Mission Reach. I'm not sure if the patch growing by the weir upstream of the pedestrian bridge near Roosevelt Park survived the May flood. The one growing by the riffle below the Confluence Park Trailhead did survive the flood and is in full bloom right now.
Given the current challenges to the survival of the Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), I was pleasantly surprised to see this Monarch taking full advantage of the Orange Milkweed's nectar:
Milkweed is also the larval host plant for the Monarchs.
This set of photographs was taken along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Monday, October 7, 2013.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Wildscaping
"Conservation and stewardship are not spectator sports. …"
"… Texas needs an involved and educated citizenry willing to demonstrate their commitment to conserving and managing the natural and cultural resources of Texas." - Michelle Haggerty, State Coordinator, Texas Master Naturalist Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Ms Haggerty wrote this specifically for a Texas audience. It applies everywhere, not just Texas. One must only substitute one's own local geopolitical area and it still applies.
Wildscaping is the creation of landscape, generally using native plants, specifically designed to attract a variety of wildlife. In a small but significant way, the wildscaping of yards in a neighborhood can help mitigate the effects of fragmentation of ecosystems that has resulted from urban development.
The Bordered Patch, Monarch and Queen butterflies and the Texas spiny lizard pictured here are only a very small sample of the wildlife that can be attracted to wildscaping in Bexar County.
These photos were taken this afternoon at the Texas Master Naturalist Wildscape Demonstration Garden on the San Antonio Riverwalk next to the intersection of Aubrey St and Old Gilbeau St just upstream from the Cesar Chavez Blvd bridge.
More information about Texas wildscaping can be found at this Texas Parks and Wildlife link.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
San Antonio River, Mission Reach, Roosevelt Park Trailhead
downstream to the pedestrian bridge
Today's photos:
There are numerous benefits to restoring the riparian ecosystem along the San Antonio River, such as reducing pollution, moderating the temperatures in the surrounding area, providing habitat for migratory animals (note the photo of the Monarch butterfly in the pickerelweed), etc.
Not the least of the benefits is that it also provides a location to at least momentarily leave the urban environment and refresh one's soul. Following an intense physical therapy session this afternoon, a short walk along the river was particularly refreshing.
