Our Nature Journal
On online collective of imagery from members at the Preserve at Walnut Springs. Through art and observation, these photos and quotes lend a place to expand your knowledge, observations, and relationship with the 1,500 acres of open space shared throughout the ranch.
Submissions are taken through the DEW committee, shared in an email thread and hosted here.
Submissions are taken through the DEW committee, shared in an email thread and hosted here.
"If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude than sorrow, we must achieve more than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse of the world as it was created, not just as it looked when we got through with it." - Lyndon B. Johnson |
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Garden Tiger Moth If disturbed the moth displays its orange hindwings with blue-black spots and can produce a clear yellow fluid from two ducts just behind the head.
The larvae can be seen from August to late the following June. The larvae are hairy and known as the "Woolly Bear". They sometimes feed and bask in sunshine and may be seen moving rapidly across bare ground when fully grown. They pupate in a thin cocoon among vegetation on or near the ground. More info |
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It's a drizzly morning and the Nostoc is abundant. I wanted to share this strange ancient cyanobacteria. When I was giving guided nature hikes out at Wild Basin Preserve, this was a favorite among the kids. We'd pick up the dried pieces that looked like green potato chips and put them in a little jar of water I carried, and at the end of the hike, it would have rehydrated to form this gooey structure akin to "slime". They oooh'd and ahhh'd over it. So if you ever need a little science project, this is worth it. More info |
Beautiful leaves of the Chinquapin Oak.
The Chinquapin Oak is a member of the beech family and grows up to 70' in well drained soils and near limestone outcrops.
It is extremely drought tolerant.
They produce acorns that are sweet and eaten by wildlife and humans. Acorn meats can be processed and dried or roasted and used to make bread dough, muffin batter, or as a coffee substitute.
The chinquapin oak is also the larval host for the Gray Hairstreak butterfly and the flowers attract hummingbirds in April and May.
You can see the Chinquapin Oak tree down at the natural pool, on the south side of the Preserve at Walnut Springs, also in front of the clubhouse.
It would be the perfect addition to any landscape to add color, shade and support wildlife.
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Each year the HOA conducts a Spring & Fall Bird count as a census for our Wildlife Management Plan. Longtime friend to the ranch, Jane Jones usually leads the charge with a handful of Audubon members. This year a smaller group will gather on the Clubhouse patio around 7:30 before heading out on the ranch individually to conduct the census.
We're asking for your help! If you have a backyard feeder and would allow the birders to observe your feeder, please let us know by email at mary@walnut-springs.com. Or if you observe your birds from your backyard and want to submit your personal census we welcome that as well! Report your observations to our DEW Chairs: Gretchen or Robbin 
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Wildflower Season and List of flowers identified on the ranch
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Wildflower season has been slow due to the freeze in February, but more and more flowers are making an appearance all over the Preserve. This is an informative list of what has been identified here at the Preserve (both north and south sides) by month. A great resource book is also, Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country by Marshall Enquist
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