We first discovered the Fort Worth Nature Center back in March when we found two baby opossums in our back yard;

We Found Two Baby Opossum in Our Yard

The mother of these cute little opossum babies had died nearby and we were left with these wonderful little babies to take care of. We researched for a local animal refuge and eventually contacted the Fort Worth Nature Center who mentioned to us that they could rehabilitate and eventually release these little opossum. We drove through rush hour traffic to the nature center and our little baby opossum were greeted with a warm place to sleep and lots of nourishment.

Today we re-visited the wonderful Fort Worth Nature Center under more relaxed circumstances and found an amazing nature preserve which plays host to many wonderful native Texas animals;

The Fort Worth Nature Center - A Wonderful Wildlife Refuge

Their Mission:

“To enhance the quality of life by enrolling and educating our community in the preservation and protection of natural areas while standing as an example of these same principles and values in North Central Texas.”

The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge (FWNC&R) is located just inside the city limits of Fort Worth, TX. The FWNC&R is a hidden jewel, a wilderness comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands reminiscent of how much of the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex once looked. Replete with native flora and fauna, the area beckons to those searching for a piece of nature to refresh their spirits and reintroduce a measure of tranquility to their increasingly urban lifestyles.

We hope you enjoy our photo essay from our visit;

1. Turtle Time!

A Texas Turtle Swimming

Popping up to say hello!

Sunbathing on a rock

A Pair of Red Eared Sliders Stretching

2. Slithering Snakes

A Rough Green Snake Keeps Wacth at the Main Desk

A Beautiful Snake Curled Up

A Bright Corn Snake Watching Us

A Pug Nosed Snake Peers Back Us!

A Large Bull Snake Sleeping

3. Majestic Owls

The Barred Owl

The Beautiful Barred Owl Watches Us

The Great Horned Owl

The Majestic Great Horned Owl Keeps Watch

4. The Wonderful Walking Trails

With over 3600 acres, the FWNC&R is one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States and offers residents and visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural history of north central Texas . Over 20 miles of hiking trails provide easy access to a myriad of natural wonders to be found on the Refuge.

We chose to walk the short 0.5 mile Caprock trail which features limestone consisting of millions of compacted oyster shells.

The Caprock Trail with Limestone Walkways

Lots of Wonderful Native Texas Flora

We Saw Tiny Spiders

We Saw Graceful Hawks

Fantastic Views From the Peak of Caprock Trail

The Scenery Was Stunning

In 2009, the Fort Worth Nature Center received the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Lone Star Steward Award in the Corporate/Public category. This award recognizes excellence in habitat management and wildlife conservation.

5. The Journey Home

The wonderful experience continued even as we were leaving the Fort Worth Nature Center. We spotted this wonderful centipede crossing the path!

We saw this little Centipede crossing the path!

He slowly made his way towards the sandy soil

He climbed over twigs and branches

He seemed happy amongst the leaves and rocks!

We drove back out past a tributary river which feeds into Lake Worth and spotted even more wildlife;

A fork of the Trinity River which feeds into Lake Worth

We Spotted a Beautiful Deer Through the Trees

The Deer Spotted Us Through the Trees!

The Deer Was Happy to Let us Watch

Once the Introductions Were Over the Deer Continued Feeding

We had a wonderful day at the Fort Worth Nature Center and we hope you will pay them a visit if you are ever in the area.

We’ve included a Google Maps view below;

Organic in the City

I am beginning a new painting called “Zebra Longwings” which I will be donating to the Texas Discovery Gardens for their Charity event Organic in the City Fashion Show and Auction. This event is one of the major fund raisers for the Texas Discovery Gardens. Texas Discovery Gardens is an educational organic garden facility in North Central Texas, that advances the knowledge and skill set of the community to restore, conserve and preserve nature in the urban environment. They accomplish this using their conservatory, greenhouse and 7.5 acre outdoor gardens in urban Dallas along with a full array of teaching programs developed for children and adults.  Their reach begins with small children and adults new to gardening and continues up to and through the Master Gardener level.  Texas Discovery Gardens serves thousands of inner-city students each year.  With the opening of the new Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium and the new indoor children’s classroom, Texas Discovery Gardens is now able to offer its EarthKeeper’s® Children’s Education Programs year round.  These programs are educational and fun and they promote excitement and interest in learning math and science via the natural world, they expand student knowledge and understanding of living sustainably, and help youth appreciate and embrace nature. The Organic in the City Fashion Show and Auction is an exciting, fun event eagerly anticipated by fashion, gardening and green living advocates.  Through this event Texas Discovery Gardens will raise thousands of dollars for the expansion of the children’s EarthKeeper’s programs and to bring Butterfly Gardens to schools across Dallas. For more information on Texas Discovery Gardens and this event, click on the link below.

http://www.texasdiscoverygardens.org

"Zebra Longwings" the beginning

To see more of my work, click on the links below.

www.sharenchatterton.com

www.lunaazulstudio.com

Zebra Longwings Butterfly photo by Sharen Chatterton

According to an American Indian Legend – If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly cannot reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all. In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish. So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.

Most People just like butterflies, whats not to like, they are graceful, beautiful, colorful creations. I don’t think any other insect has been the inspiration for so many, artists, writers as well as naturalists.

However butterfly populations all over the world are being threatened by loss of habitat. Butterfly gardening, is a great way to provide additional habitat for butterfly species in your area. The species of butterfly vary by region, but by doing a little investigating and planting both nectar plants to attract the adult butterflies and also planting larvae foodplants for the caterpillars, you can increase the local population of butterflies in your area. Not to mention increase your gardens beauty with these colorful winged flowers. Throughout the country, the general requirements for butterfly gardening are the same: full sun, nectar source plants, larval host plants, a pesticide-free environment, and knowledge of the local butterflies. Many butterfly-attracting plants are natives and require little attention, as they are naturally adapted to the region in which they live. Butterfly gardens are best planted in the spring with younger plants or in the fall with mature plants that will become dormant quickly and re-emerge in the spring.

Butterfly Attracting Plants

Host Plants and the Butterflies they Attract

Look for an opportunity in your area to participate in a butterfly release. This is one of the most phenomenal events you will ever attend.  We attended one this weekend at the Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park. It was their first annual “Come to the Tropics Butterfly Release”. We had a great time. While the outside temperature was about 12 degrees Fahrenheit; we were browsing the booths, listening to tropical music, then releasing a butterfly and observing many other butterflies, all in the warm and humid Tropical butterfly house. I released a very large Paper Kite, or Rice-paper Butterfly, which is white with black lines, it had about a 3-4 inch wing span. Carter released a Zebra Longwings butterfly, which is the mascot butterfly of the Butterfly House. We really had a great time, taking pictures and watching the people and butterflies.

Photo Opportunity

Check out the following sites for more info on butterflies:

http://www.TexasDiscoveryGardens.org

http://www.dallasbutterflies.com