— by Cindy Chrisler
Grant Critchfield hosted this field trip at the Critchfield Conservation Preserve outside of Jarrell, TX. The preserve is very close to the Pecan Springs Karst Preserve managed by the Hill Country Conservancy and shares the same geologic structures and an arm of Pecan Creek.
Recent rains at the Critchfield Preserve made for an interesting hike for the dozen members attending as we had to skirt puddles of mud and water. The transition from spring to summer meant that there were fewer blooms, but didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the group. We toured a pasture dotted with openings to small karst caves and Gaillardia, forded a swollen creek, and toured along the creek bed and an elevated meadow.
Although identification was a bit difficult, we identified three species of milkweed vine: pearl, anglepod, and plateau (a fourth, star milkweed vine, is present on the preserve as well). Antelope horn milkweed are setting pods. Prickly poppy and Texas thistle were still blooming to the delight of many pollinators. Two mature bur oaks were encountered, one along the creek and the other providing a magnificent canopy.
See photos from this field trip and others in our album=>
See field trip plans on our Home page.