Tuesday, July 17, 2012
This set of photos was taken on my walk yesterday along the El Chaparral / Greenway Trail in the Medina River Natural Area. What is seen here and in yesterday's post is typical of the South Texas Brush Country, also known as the South Texas Plains ecoregion.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Medina River Natural Area, El Chaparral / Greenway Trail
Today's photos:
There are two primary ecosystems in the Medina River basin as it crosses southern Bexar County. The river channel is riparian woodland. The upland area along both sides of the channel is chaparral, more commonly known here as the South Texas Brush Country. My walk this afternoon on the El Chaparral / Greenway Trail was through the upland brush country.
This is only a small sample of the photos I took today. Tomorrow's post will be part 2.
Friday, July 13, 2012
John James Park*, Upland natural surface and paved trails
Today's photos:
Isolated thunderstorms were moving into the area when I left home to go for my walk this afternoon. I had occasionally been checking the weather radar and knew my time on the trail would likely be limited before the storms arrived. Once on the trail, I kept an eye on the clouds.
As can be seen in the photos, I was surrounded by the most remarkable beauty and wonder imaginable. Eventually, I could hear the distant rumble of thunder and knew it was time to return to the car. With all that I was encountering, it was difficult to force myself to turn back toward the parking lot, but getting caught out on the trail in a thunderstorm is too great a risk.
June was a very dry month. It is a welcome relief to have the rain return this month. The wildlife will continue to thrive and it will bring even more to experience on future walks.
* As a side note, due to the construction of a new, higher bridge over Salado Creek on Rittiman Rd just to the east of the entrance to John James Park, it is not easy to access the park. However, the park is still accessible and very much worth the effort.
