Richard Blanton
@taviduprix.bsky.social
Jack of all trades, master of none.
And here is the old growth section of the preserve. One of the trees in the background was maybe 30 feet tall and you can barely find another example in my 4 county area bigger than eye level.
October 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
And here is the old growth section of the preserve. One of the trees in the background was maybe 30 feet tall and you can barely find another example in my 4 county area bigger than eye level.
Another picture from Southmost Preserve. This one looking back at the trail we drove through to get to the Old Growth section of the property.
October 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Another picture from Southmost Preserve. This one looking back at the trail we drove through to get to the Old Growth section of the property.
Coming back from my mailbox yesterday I was blessed with a wonderful display of gulls/terns circling overhead. No sooner did I cut the video they collected themselves and banked off to go about their merry way.
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
October 15, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Coming back from my mailbox yesterday I was blessed with a wonderful display of gulls/terns circling overhead. No sooner did I cut the video they collected themselves and banked off to go about their merry way.
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
Here’s a more close up view of just one row of the plants getting started at Southmost Preserve in Brownsville, TX. Remember, this work is mostly done by one person! Astounding!
October 14, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Here’s a more close up view of just one row of the plants getting started at Southmost Preserve in Brownsville, TX. Remember, this work is mostly done by one person! Astounding!
Last week I had the privilege of visiting Southmost Preserve, a Nature Conservancy operation normally closed to the public. We started by reviewing their growing area where they supply the government and other clients native plants for reforestation. Most of this work is done by 1 person!!
October 13, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Last week I had the privilege of visiting Southmost Preserve, a Nature Conservancy operation normally closed to the public. We started by reviewing their growing area where they supply the government and other clients native plants for reforestation. Most of this work is done by 1 person!!
A friend of mine posted a picture of a local garden that has a mix of natives and non-natives, but I have to say that this is the design ethic that native gardens should shoot for. Not overly formal but a symbol to neighbors that it is intentional as not to call municipal leaders to rip it up.
October 3, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A friend of mine posted a picture of a local garden that has a mix of natives and non-natives, but I have to say that this is the design ethic that native gardens should shoot for. Not overly formal but a symbol to neighbors that it is intentional as not to call municipal leaders to rip it up.
Today’s post is simply RIP Jane Goodall.
October 1, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Today’s post is simply RIP Jane Goodall.
Got to visit my favorite park in Matamoros last night. Mexico is very unique in that you can see the extremes of urbanization. Cities like this are mostly concrete and have almost no natural areas but in the rural interior you see some of the most pristine habitat in the world. ❤️ the Egret.
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
September 30, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Got to visit my favorite park in Matamoros last night. Mexico is very unique in that you can see the extremes of urbanization. Cities like this are mostly concrete and have almost no natural areas but in the rural interior you see some of the most pristine habitat in the world. ❤️ the Egret.
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
September 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Walking back from my mailbox I noticed all of our resident pigeons acting very skittish. Wasn’t really sure what was up until I noticed what I believe to be a Broad-winged Hawk soaring above. Better to be safe than sorry I suppose. 😆
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
September 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Walking back from my mailbox I noticed all of our resident pigeons acting very skittish. Wasn’t really sure what was up until I noticed what I believe to be a Broad-winged Hawk soaring above. Better to be safe than sorry I suppose. 😆
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
My car is in the shop and I’m missing the return of our monthly Native Plant Project meetings tonight. There also is a Jacana, which would be a life bird, at a local Wildlife Refuge. Waiting to get my car back is frustrating but this shall pass. Was nice seeing this rainbow on Sunday night.
September 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
My car is in the shop and I’m missing the return of our monthly Native Plant Project meetings tonight. There also is a Jacana, which would be a life bird, at a local Wildlife Refuge. Waiting to get my car back is frustrating but this shall pass. Was nice seeing this rainbow on Sunday night.
Went to check my mail and this duckling was all that arrived save an electric bill. Hope this little fella reunites with his family.
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
September 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Went to check my mail and this duckling was all that arrived save an electric bill. Hope this little fella reunites with his family.
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
Saw this Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp while cleaning up part of my porch last week. My native plants are bringing all the bugs to the yard.
September 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Saw this Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp while cleaning up part of my porch last week. My native plants are bringing all the bugs to the yard.
Yesterday I spent my lunch break outside walking a vacant lot behind my apartment. Among a number of Palo Verde trees that have really taken off over the last few months was this Southern Annual Saltmarsh Aster. Absolutely beautiful plant. So glad I took some outdoor time.
September 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Yesterday I spent my lunch break outside walking a vacant lot behind my apartment. Among a number of Palo Verde trees that have really taken off over the last few months was this Southern Annual Saltmarsh Aster. Absolutely beautiful plant. So glad I took some outdoor time.
Thinking about the White-tailed Kite that spent the better part of a summer a couple years ago hunting consistently in a vacant lot behind my apartment. It was a source of excitement and wonder for many days. I wonder where it frequents these days.
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
September 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Thinking about the White-tailed Kite that spent the better part of a summer a couple years ago hunting consistently in a vacant lot behind my apartment. It was a source of excitement and wonder for many days. I wonder where it frequents these days.
#bird 🪶
#bird 🪶
One of the best things about nature is that it can be a source of recognition that you are but a small cog in a large world. If more of us lived with the adequate level of humility this engenders, we would all be better for it.
September 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
One of the best things about nature is that it can be a source of recognition that you are but a small cog in a large world. If more of us lived with the adequate level of humility this engenders, we would all be better for it.
Someone that has “Jack of all trades, master of none” in their profile must have varied interests, and indeed I do. One area that intersects my love for nature is my love for art. Today, I received the latest in a series called “Fat Birds.” If you like art, check the starter pack in my profile.
September 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Someone that has “Jack of all trades, master of none” in their profile must have varied interests, and indeed I do. One area that intersects my love for nature is my love for art. Today, I received the latest in a series called “Fat Birds.” If you like art, check the starter pack in my profile.
When I volunteered on the Appalachian Trail to assist with bird banding, views like this on the way up were not uncommon. As fall migration starts to ramp up, a tip of the cap 🧢 to everyone managing a station or helping it to run efficiently.
September 8, 2025 at 3:19 PM
When I volunteered on the Appalachian Trail to assist with bird banding, views like this on the way up were not uncommon. As fall migration starts to ramp up, a tip of the cap 🧢 to everyone managing a station or helping it to run efficiently.
My native milkweed plant, Zizotes Milkweed, is blooming quite nicely. I’m sending out the Bat signal for Monarchs. They should be arriving in a month or so in Deep South Texas. Keeping my fingers crossed.
September 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM
My native milkweed plant, Zizotes Milkweed, is blooming quite nicely. I’m sending out the Bat signal for Monarchs. They should be arriving in a month or so in Deep South Texas. Keeping my fingers crossed.
A side-by-side of a Blue-headed Vireo and a Yellow-throated Vireo. I love the eye spectacle of both species. Maybe because I wear glasses and it’s almost like they do too. #birds 🪶
(Handling of birds done via federal permit.)
(Handling of birds done via federal permit.)
September 2, 2025 at 6:04 PM
A side-by-side of a Blue-headed Vireo and a Yellow-throated Vireo. I love the eye spectacle of both species. Maybe because I wear glasses and it’s almost like they do too. #birds 🪶
(Handling of birds done via federal permit.)
(Handling of birds done via federal permit.)
New insect on my porch today. No word yet from iNat yet what it is but hopefully someone will chime in over the holiday weekend. This little guy was truckin’ through.
August 29, 2025 at 8:29 PM
New insect on my porch today. No word yet from iNat yet what it is but hopefully someone will chime in over the holiday weekend. This little guy was truckin’ through.
A little story about a caterpillar I found in my apartment followed by what happened after I set it outside. 🦎
August 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
A little story about a caterpillar I found in my apartment followed by what happened after I set it outside. 🦎
Believe it or not, this hairy thing pictured is actually an insect. What insect? I don’t yet know but I am working on an identification. At 1st I thought the thing was moving due to the wind but then I noticed a tongue-like protrusion pulling it along. Really wild!
August 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Believe it or not, this hairy thing pictured is actually an insect. What insect? I don’t yet know but I am working on an identification. At 1st I thought the thing was moving due to the wind but then I noticed a tongue-like protrusion pulling it along. Really wild!
Was on a cooldown from a late night run Wednesday night and I came across this millipede, Rhysodesmus texicolens. Turns out this species is pretty range restricted. Glad I got a photo and uploaded to iNaturalist.
August 22, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Was on a cooldown from a late night run Wednesday night and I came across this millipede, Rhysodesmus texicolens. Turns out this species is pretty range restricted. Glad I got a photo and uploaded to iNaturalist.
As expected, my Night-blooming cereus did indeed bloom twice over last night. It was really beautiful but it is a one night only happening. It might be next year until I see it in bloom again.
August 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
As expected, my Night-blooming cereus did indeed bloom twice over last night. It was really beautiful but it is a one night only happening. It might be next year until I see it in bloom again.