Our Library, Our Trail

Yesterday's first-Saturday-of-the-month hike on the Madrone Canyon Trail at the Laura Bush Community Library was a hot one! I came prepared to lead the monthly hike, in Jean's absence. I was particularly curious to see the canyon after two months of no guided hikes. When no one appeared by 10:05, I did the one-hour-long hike alone. Each hike is a different experience, but this time was like no other. The canyon was filled with the songs and calls of birds! Our group hikes are usually devoid of bird sound. I suspect, because I was walking slowly and quietly, my presence didn't alarm them. With my binoculars I was able to see a Black-crested titmouse and/or a Tufted titmouse. Travis Audubon says these two species hybridize and their ranges overlap in Central Texas.

Desert willow Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet is a native tree that blooms ethereal in summer.

The Queen of the Canyon, Texas madrone Arbutus xalapenis, is sprouting forth new growth.

The exceptionally hot temperatures this summer and low rainfall have left the canyon parched. There is plenty of nocturnal life as evidenced by the scat I've seen on the trail, loaded with seeds of the Texas persimmon Diospyros texana Scheele.

Devil's shoestring Nolina lindheimeriana (Scheele) S. Watson offers its seeds to a trail passerby.

I hope you show up at the Trailhead by the sign and bench for the next guided hike on Saturday, October 6th from 10 to 11 o'clock. And if we're very quiet, we may see and hear birds!

Paula Tuttle

Texas Master Naturalist