Walking in the Wild

We have been gardening with native plants on campus since the spring of 2000. This has afforded us  countless cool encounters with wildlife. But, heading out on our nearby woodlands trail always seems to provide a little extra magic. Today during 8th period was no exception.
Ostensibly we were searching for invasive species, but we also noticed a variety of seed types we have been studying. We identified the fiercely invasive Chinaberry by its clusters of yellow drupes before we even reached the trailhead.  Once on the trail, fortunately, we did not find any more.

April showed her classmates how to recognize (and harvest) wild onions. She found these where the trail crosses Williamson Creek.

On our return trip taking a different trail spur, Ashley asked me why the prickly pear was white and bumpy. I had walked right past it. We backtracked and had a teachable moment. The white bumps are a colony of cochineal (Dactylopius coccus). The eggs and bodies contain carminic acid which was used by Mayans and Aztecs as a crimson dye for textiles and food coloring. It is sometimes used as a food additive today.

Yet another natural wonder awaited us near the back bike racks on campus. What murdered the mockingbird, and why did it leave the wings hanging in a Bois d'Arc sapling? 

Speculations included an eagle, hawk, dog(?), and an owl. The general consensus was an owl. Students also surmised that since the wings were still moveable, it was a recent kill. They noted a spray of feathers on the ground as well. Could it have flown into the tree? Where is the body? the head?

Moral of the lesson: There's a lot of cool stuff outside.