On the Bright Side of the Rain

Saturday, May 21, 2016

The riparian meadow at the Mission County Park portal to the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River is very colorful thanks to all the rain so far this year:

These photos were taken on a walk along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River downstream from VFW Blvd on both the west and east bank trails on Monday, May 16, 2016.

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Question Mark?

Thursday, May 19, 2016

One of the most common riparian woodland butterflies in much of the eastern part of the United States, including South Texas, will typically be found flying low above the ground and landing amid the fallen leaves:

With its wings folded closed, it is very well camouflaged amid the leaf debris:

But the question remains: how did this butterfly get its rather questionable name? On the underside of the hind wings are two very small, silverly white marks, one comma shaped and next to that a dot, that together appear to be a Question Mark:

These photos were taken on a walk along the Mud Creek trail in McAllister Park on Tuesday, May 10, 2016.

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The Bucks Stopped Here

Saturday, May 14, 2016

I don't know if there have been any formal studies, but I suspect the highest white-tailed deer population density in San Antonio's natural areas and green spaces is at McAllister Park:

These photos were taken on a walk along the Mud Creek trail in McAllister Park on Tuesday, May 10, 2016.

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A Lush Riparian Habitat

Thursday, May 12, 2016

It has been a couple years since I've walked at McAllister Park. Not much has changed, except the vegetation is far more lush now with all the rain the past year:

These photos were taken on a walk along the Mud Creek trail in McAllister Park on Tuesday, May 10, 2016.

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Riparians

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Apparently, the soft-shelled and Red-eared Slider turtles came together for an afternoon convention on the top of Espada Dam this particular afternoon. I can only imagine what topic they discussed. It may have had something to do with the current state of the river, or perhaps the state of the river current. Who knows what turtles think about and silently discuss as they bask in the warmth of the early Spring sun?

Meanwhile, the Creeping Opposite-leaf Spotflower is flourishing along one portion of the river bank and the Great Egret, living a territorial solitary life, isn't about to become involved in any turtle conference:

These photos were taken on a walk on the Acequia Park loop trail along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.

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