Prairie Notes #72: Prairie To The People! Solves The Mystery Of The Tandy Hills Signpost Hieroglypics

With today being the first day of the last month of 2012 it did not surprise me too much to see incoming email this morning from Don Young with Prairie Notes #72: Prairie to the People!

Prairie to the People! is the theme for the 2013 Prairie Fest.

This month's Prairie Notes includes the above Tandy Hills Trail Map, created by Eagle Scout, C.R. Wright. C.R. is also the creator of the newly installed trail sign posts on the Tandy Hills, with hieroglyphics denoting 5 different trails.

From C.R.'s Trail Map I learned I'd only correctly interpreted one of the signpost hieroglyphics, that being the Roadrunner Trail.

The trail I thought was the Eagle or Grackle Trail is actually the Hawk Trail.

The trail I thought was the Jackrabbit  Trail is actually the Cottontail Trail.

The trail I thought was the Sun Trail is actually the Wildflower Loop.

The trail I thought was the Grass Trail is actually the Bluestem Trail.

Bluestem is a type of grass, so I was a little close with that one.

Prairie to the People! I rather like the sound of that.

Making A Prairie Note Of Tandy Hills Prickly Pear Cactus

The Prickly Pear Cactus patch, on Lost Sunglasses Ridge, on the Tandy Hills, that I've been keeping an eye on due to the many blooms and their future harvest potential when the blooms turn into pears, was looking particularly fruitful today.

All of the Tandy Hills was looking particularly fruitful today. I've never seen the prairie vegetation as it is being this particular spring.

Apparently a group of Fort Worth school children have been hiking the trails of the Tandy Hills. I came to this conclusion today when I came upon dozen of orange flags stuck in the ground, most of which simply said "FWISD" on them.

Some of the orange flags had messages on them, like, "Help the Others", or "View St. This Direction".

The May Prairie Notes arrived this morning. In his Prairie Notes Don Young waxes quite poetically about the current state of the Tandy Hills....

The Tandy Hills are so lush and beautifully painted with wildflowers right now that, to walk upon them feels like an unspeakable act of cruelty. Standing on the trail, I watch the western sunlight cut through the living, breathing canvas rooted in ancient limestone and nurtured by micro-organisms, earthworms, lizards and crawling insects revealing a tangle of Sensitive-Briar covered in pink puff-balls and colored currents of standing wildflowers in colorwheel-shades of yellow, white, purple, red and blue supported by delicate green stems and what seems to be billions and billions of butterflies, moths, dragonflies and bees zooming, spiraling and humming in mad harmony above the swaying wildflowers as pairs of Rabbits and Roadrunners scatter scurry and birds of all colors and sizes float and feed like Martha Graham dancers in the clear blue sky above the mysterious, rare, sweet-scented prairie in this most natural of worlds.

It's an Ode to Joy, it's a Hallelujah, it's a Starry Night, it's La Dolce Vita, it's Lomas de Flores, it's Le Prairie #5. It's got everything on it. Come on in and get re-connected with YOUR natural world.

Methinks the numbers are increasing of people taking the suggestion that they re-connect with the natural world. I see more people than I've ever seen in the various parks I visit.

Major Tandy Hills Prairie Fest News Today In Prairie Notes #60

A Re-Imagined Re-Named Prairie Festival

I had not realized until it arrived this afternoon that the early morning of the day of a new month had not brought the latest Prairie Notes from Don Young to my emailbox.

Prairie Notes #60 contains major news about the Prairie Fest.

I have to say I think this change makes a lot of sense. Every year I think the Prairie Fest is tempting a bad weather fate by putting so much effort into one single day in the Spring that could go horribly wrong, weather-wise.

The latest Prairie Notes, with all the info and excellent photos, is not yet up on the Friends of Tandy Hills website's Prairie Notes page.

Below is a blurb from Prairie Notes #60...........

For 2012, Prairie Fest has been re-imagined and re-focused back to discovery and enjoyment of Tandy Hills, itself. Instead of a single event, there will be three festivals throughout the Spring on the last Saturdays of March, April and May. Event hours will be from 4 PM - Dusk. We call in Prairie Festx3.

The main event will be enhanced Prairie-Wildflower Hikes for kids and adults, specially designed by Heather Foote, a Master Naturalist and schoolteacher in Grapevine. More on that below. There will also be the usual, unstructured wildflower tours led by Suzanne Tuttle of the FW Nature Center & refuge.

In the re-imagined fest for 2012, we have eliminated Exhibitor booths. ("Virtual booths" will be available. Stay tuned for details.) There will still be live music and other entertainment, food, beverage and friends. The festival site will be a wide-open, kid-friendly playground for kite-flying, frisbee-tossing, stilt-walking, picnicking, guitar-picking, dog-running and other impromptu activities. 

Don Young's Haunted Halloween Tale Of The Engulfed Death Car Of Tandy Creek

The Tandy Creek Bed Engulfing A Death Car

Don Young has really outdone himself this Halloween. Two years ago Mr. Young terrified Tandy Hills aficionados with his gruesome tale of the Tandy Hills Witchey Tree.

This year, in a Prairie Notes Supplement, dated October 27, 2011, Don Young tells the tale of his encounters with "The Engulfed Death Car of Tandy Creek."

I have opined in the past that the Tandy Hills is the Twin Peaks of Texas.

Don Young's tale of his spooky Tandy Hills encounters with a Death Car is now the latest evidence supporting my belief that the Tandy Hills is the Twin Peaks of Texas.

And, apparently, haunted.

In Don Young's tale he references the various "wrecks" that are hidden on the Tandy Hills. I believe I have come across all of them, except for the Engulfed Death Car.

So, if you feel up to reading a frightful tale, go to the Tandy Hills Natural Area website and read "The Engulfed Death Car of Tandy Creek."

I'm Being Urged By Horizontal Grandeur To Drag Myself To The Tandy Hills As Soon As Possible

It is the first day of a new month. The first day of a new month means Don Young's Prairie Notes will arrive in my emailbox. Which is what happened at 9:41 this morning.

The title for Prairie Notes #58 is "Horizontal Grandeur."

Horizontal Grandeur is not available, yet, for viewing on the Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area website.

Below is a blurb from the start of this month's Prairie notes, a blurb which ends with Don Young urging me to drag myself to the Tandy Hills as soon as possible. I always do what I'm urged to do....

Just days before Henry David Thoreau died from tuberculosis in 1862, he dragged himself from his sick-bed for one last walk. The ever-curious Henry had to see what was new outside after a rainstorm the previous night. He described in his journal some patterns made in the sand by raindrops. Then he recorded the final line of his journal:

"All this is perfectly distinct to the observant eye, and yet could easily pass unnoticed by most."

Amen, Henry. Despite an epic drought, there is still plenty to observe across the horizontal grandeur* of Tandy Hills Natural Area. Not as much as normal, by a long-shot, but still there to the searching eye. With water in short supply, it seems like everything at Tandy Hills is searching more keenly than usual.

A single Monarch butterfly dances around the prairie, searching for an elusive bit of pollen; the silent, gliding of a Cooper's Hawk searching for anything that moves; prairie grass roots, searching deeper and deeper for moisture; and me, searching for solitude, inspiration and a photo-op or two.

With the advent of the Autumn Equinox on September 23, the days are noticeably shorter and the evenings cooler. A little rain shower on the night of 9/29/11 and a cool front is bound to liven up the prairie. I urge you to follow the lead of our friend, Henry, and drag yourself to Tandy Hills, ASAP.

DY

A Saturday HOT Hunt For The Trees Of Life & Prairie Notes On The Tandy Hills

An occasional cloud came between me and the sun today on the Tandy Hills, providing a short cooling respite from the glaring rays of the noon sun.

Yesterday I mentioned Don Young's Prairie Notes and the roadrunner he caught in his birdbath.

Yesterday I did not realize that Don Young's Prairie Notes are now memorialized for posterity on the Friend of Tandy Hills Natural Area website.

On the FOTHNA website you will find the latest Prairie Notes, with the latest currently being Trees of Life - Prairie Notes: #55.

I do not know what camera Don Young uses to take his photos. What I do know is he sure takes better photos than I do.

It is currently only 94 degrees at almost 2 in the afternoon. I don't think we are going to hit the predicted 100 degree mark today.

Don Young's Tandy Hills Prairie Notes #48

Possumhaw berries are a bright spot on the Tandy Hills prairie.

I've not blogged Don Young's Prairie Notes in awhile. Please note the plea for help with the Prairie Fest. I figured the Prairie Notes & Prairie Fest Plea need to get as big an audience as possible. 

Prairie Notes #48

December 1, 2010

Springing Into Fall

1) Field Report

2) Prairie Fest: By hook or by crook 

3) Wildflower of the Moment

4) Ladies' Tresses Orchids

5) Critter Report

1) Field Report

A brief period of chilly weather on November 1st made it finally feel like Autumn at our little urban oasis. Multitudes of leaves finally fell but Spring-like temps soon returned. The number of blooming plants that normally mature in the Spring was amazing. Meanwhile, Possumhaw, Aromatic Sumac, Mexican Plum and a few others brightened up the subdued landscape with their Fall colors setting off the Autumn grass that continues to be the Main Event.

Eye-catching fall foliage of Mexican Plum.

It's the "hills" that make Tandy Hills so remarkable.
As Winter approaches, the hills are more noticeable.

2) Prairie Fest: By hook or by crook

The November 23rd edition of Fort Worth Weekly reported on the growing pains of Fort Worth Prairie Fest. You can read the report by Jeff Prince here. Volunteers are urgently needed. Our Number 1 need is for a Volunteer Coordinator to recruit, train and supervise event day volunteers. Please let us know ASAP if you will take this critical responsibility.  

Against all odds and by hook or by crook, Prairie Fest 6 will happen on April 23, 2011. Exhibitors and Sponsors, get ready. You will be hearing from The Best Outdoor Cultural Event in Tarrant County very soon. Watch a little video snapshot of the 2010 fest here.

3) Wildflower of the Moment

A single Purple Paintbrush in full bloom on November 7th? How rare can that be? It made a nice contrast with the Autumn leaves in the background.

Purple Paintbrush fooled by Mother Nature.

4) Ladies Tresses Orchids

The amazing and wonderfully aromatic Ladies Tresses Orchids of THNA have just finished blooming. Are they Nodding Ladies Tresses or Great Plains Ladies Tresses or both? Experts disagree. Either way, the similar-looking species are one of the many Fall pleasures at THNA worth celebrating. 

Trout Lily and Ladies Tresses expert, Jim Varnum, took a day-trip to THNA in November. He documented his trip in the November edition of Jim's This and That. Check it out here.

5) Critter Report

On the evening of November 28, I witnessed a Great Horned Owl with a 4'+ wingspan descend into the darkening twilight of Tandy Hills Natural Area. The thrill of seeing such a magnificent creature in its natural habitat reminded me once again of the wise words of poet, Mary Oliver:

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

DY

Don Young's Prairie Notes: Celestial Terrestrials Have Landed

Visual and Verbal Poetry from Don Young....

Prairie Notes: April 05, 2009
Prairie Celestials, Easter Eggs & Plum Bliss

No, it's not a 50's sci-fi flick, but close. Prairie Celestials (Nemastylis geminiflora) have landed at Tandy Hills Natural Area but these purple beings mean you no harm. I suspect they began emerging from the Earth after the recent rain and lightning storms. They are now mature and releasing saffron-colored pollen from their pleated, purple petals to the bees and butterflies that have also invaded THNA. WARNING: Homo prairiens are particularly at risk of being overwhelmed by their startling beauty.

There are very few colonies of Prairie Celestial at THNA which also means they are very rare in north Texas. After a year of miraculous preparation, each flower lasts only one day. Please, show them respect and tread carefully around them. Viewing is best before noon.

Many other purple/blue wildflowers such as, Blue-eyed Grass, Wine Cup, Engelmann's sage, and even a Bluebonnet or two, are starting to paint the prairie. A spectrum of colorful wildflowers are on the verge of exploding in coming weeks. Stay tuned.

One of the advantages of living across the street from THNA is the abundant wildlife, including lots of birds, that often make our yard part of their habitat. We enjoy their company and help them out with a steady supply of sunflower seed and nesting material.

Starting about a week ago, one resourceful little bird decided to ... um, push the envelope on our open door policy. The following photos tell the story pretty well. This swift, but shy mother bird built her *nest so quickly last Sunday that, by Monday we had to get a new mailbox for our own use. (Note the snakeskin material used in the nest)

Resident bird expert, Tom Stevens, has ID'd the bird as either a Carolina or Bewicks Wren. She has dutifully laid six tiny eggs in our mailbox. Each egg is about 1/2" long. I'll keep you posted on their development.

A few days ago while hiking at THNA, I had the pleasure of discovering, off the beaten path, a hidden grove of Creek Plum in full bloom. For one beautiful, sunlit hour the Monarch butterflies and I had a profound convergence inside the blooming oasis. Here are some snapshots of my "prairie vacation". I hope they remind you, as they do me, of the duty we have to to protect THNA and other prairie treasures. We are Prairie Keepers and we are be born under lucky stars.

Come to the prairie and wish upon a Prairie Celestial before they depart for the season.

DY

PS: Prairie Fest is only 20 days away. Be there.

Don Young's December Tandy Hills Prairie Notes

REMINDER: Prairie Fest is April 25, 2009. Applications for Exhibitor space are now being accepted. Brave Combo is already lined up as our musical headliner.

Most of you have probably noticed the rather late and colorful autumn tree foliage in north central Texas. Ideal weather conditions are, apparently, responsible for this phenomenon.

One doesn't usually associate vibrant fall color and trees with tall grass prairies, but Tandy Hills Natural Area (THNA) is Unique with a capital "U". Experts have noted that, the range of elevations, soil types and other factors have conspired to make THNA an ecological rarity. They point out that THNA has more botanical diversity in the smallest amount of space than anywhere else in the state of Texas.

Right now, the Oaks, Cottonwoods, Elms and other trees that inhabit the drainages and lower elevations of THNA are at peak Fall color. (The photos were taken just before the recent frost.) The native but invasive Ash trees, now leafless, allow panoramic views of the towering bottomland hardwoods.

December is also a good time of year to appreciate the "Hill" part of Tandy Hills. Over the years, I have attempted, unsuccessfully, to express in words or capture in photographs the essential profundity of the hills. Their soft, grass-covered contours and (mostly) gentle slopes are elemental to THNA. I view them as the essence of the place even more so than the 500+ plant species they nurture. The most reverent sense of the timeworn phrase, "Mother Earth", comes to mind.

These hills are or have been home to a surprising variety of wildlife, considering the proximity to I-30 and downtown. I have personally seen Red Fox, Wild Turkey, Coyote, Wolf, Bobcat, Cottontail Rabbit, Great Horned Owl, Screech Owl, Coopers Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Buzzard, Roadrunner and many other bird species.

This past October, when Chesapeake Energy completely removed one of the nearby hills, it affected many of us like the death of a loved one. The thought that they also own 50 unblemished acres of the Tandy Hills greenbelt is especially difficult to accept. I'm keeping a wary eye on that hill.

I have a treasured memory from the late '70's of a Red Fox, its long tail fully fluffed, the setting sun catching the red highlights as he scampered up the same, lovely hill that Chesapeake recently obliterated. It is observations and memories such as these that can inspire one to activism.

Come to the meadow - FAST - and catch autumn's fading color wheel and see with your own eyes where the Red Fox once ran free and what words and photos cannot capture: the irreplaceable essence of Tandy "Hills" Natural Area.

DY

"Be as I am a reluctant enthusiast...a part time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here."
~Ed Abbey