Flying Over Turbulent Currents

Thursday, January 17, 2013 *

I still have at least two more sets of photographs to post from the Elmendorf Lake walk, but it is going to take a while longer to get the next post ready for publication.

The following set of photos are from my walk along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, just over a week ago. The river was flowing swift and deep with turbulent currents due to rain that had fallen the previous two days.

The female mallard (pictured here) and her mate flew a short distance downstream, remaining low over the surface of the river. Based on prior observation, had the river been calm and flowing at its normal rate, I assume the mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) would most likely swim the relatively short distance they traveled. They probably flew this time in order to avoid swimming through the turbulent current: 

* Due to the full schedule I have this week taking a class, all posts for the week will be from previous walks.

On the Yanaguana Trail Approaching the End of the Year

Friday, December 28, 2012

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Mission San Juan Capistrano,
Yanaguana Nature Trail

Today's photos:

Following a couple of cold days, this was another very pleasant mild one. There is another weather related saying here in South Texas. We have two seasons: summer and winter. They sometimes alternate days in the same week. That has definitely been true this December.

This set of photos very effectively communicates my experience of this walk. I only have two side notes to add.

The orange Japanese ladybug (Harmonia axiridis) is native to Asia and was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s apparently to control a major aphid infestation. They were reintroduced on a larger scale in 1979 and 1980 by the USDA to control another aphid infestation this time that was destroying pecan trees in the southeastern part of the country.They have been very prolific in South Bexar County this fall.

The other item I find of particular interest is the abundance of Texas baby blue eyes currently in bloom along the Yanaguana trail. According to the Native Plant Database at wildflower.org, the Nemophila phacelioides, Nutt. are annuals that bloom in March, April and May: "This plant blooms early and dies by summer." So, I guess even the wildlife is having difficulty keeping track of what season it really is here.

Evening Meditation on a Mindful Presence, A Sunday Special Edition

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Evening Meditation on a Mindful Presence

"Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children."  -  Kenyan proverb.

These photos of a mallard and her brood were taken on my walk along the San Antonio River on Wednesday, June 20.