NATURE NOTES [] Dedicated to the Enjoyment and Conservation of the Natural Beauty of Sun City Texas at Georgetown VOLUME 20 Issue 9 September 2017 Tues., September 26, 2:30, SCB ASTRONOMY SIG IMPROVEMENTS AT INKS LAKE STATE Current astronomy items of interest, everyone welcome. Watch for Special Viewing announcements. PARK COMPLEX Monday, Sept. 25, 7p.m., CC Florence This program will present the facility development Room (CCF). Blair Thompson presents and recreational use proposals being considered for the “Asteroids, Part 2: When What’s Up Comes Inks Lake State Park Complex (includes Longhorn Cavern Down and Rearranges Geology,” formation of planetary State Park and Park Road 4). Of special interest are systems, and what happens when the parts collide. development proposals for new Trail Networks and how to Monday, Oct. 23, 7p.m., CC Florence Room use the land of the former Golf Course Area. (CCF). Program TBA. Inks Lake, located less than an hour west of Sun SIG Chairs: Richard Wagoner & David Lingo City on Route 29 past Burnet, is a top getaway. Check the website and see! TPWD WANTS YOUR SUGGESTIONS! ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES SIG We are searching for a new SIG leader. Please All Sun City residents are welcome. contact our President Ed Wiley (785-691-6583 or Tues., October 24, 2:30, SCB [email protected]) if you are interested. THE OCTOBER CELEBRATION BIRDING SIG Welcoming members back from Heat Escapes, No meeting in September. Vacations, etc. Tues., Oct. 3, 2:30 p.m., AC MR 3/4: “Birding PALAU – GARDEN OF EDEN Around Texas.” BIRD WALKS Palau is the second most isolated island chain in All walks 8:00 a.m., meet LHPP the world. Its remote location in the Western South Pacific (Any changes will be emailed) at the crossroads of the Philippine and Pacific Ocean Thurs. Sept. 7 and Wed. Sept. 20. Walk along Berry currents has created thousands of endemic species both Creek or carpool to a nearby location. above and below the ocean. Hundreds of mushroom Thurs. Oct. 5 and Wed. Oct. 18. Walk along Berry shaped limestone islands harbor rare fish, sharks, corals, Creek or carpool to a nearby location. birds, jellyfish, snails, insects, trees and flowers. SIG Chairs: Ed Rozenburg & Martin Byhower Rarely visited and sparsely inhabited, Palau has a fascinating geological, evolutionary, botanical and cultural BUTTERFLY/MOTH SIG history. Jim Tobin has sailed and dived through the Tues., Sept. 5, 2:30 p.m., AC MR 3/4. archipelago several times in the last decade and will Program TBA. discuss his photo presentation of what has been described No meeting in October. as the last ‘Garden of Eden’. BUTTERFLY WALKS Membership Dues: $6 for remainder of 2017, Wed., Sept. 27, 9 a.m., LHPP. $12 for 2018 Wed., Oct. 25. 8:30 a.m., LHPP. We will carpool to Hornsby Bend to look for butterflies, dragonflies, and Dues include our monthly program, all Special damselflies. Interest Group activities and Nature Notes. SIG Chair: Ed Rozenburg SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs) GEOLOGY SIG Nature Club activities are posted on the Nature Club Tues., Sept. 5, 11 a.m., AC Atrium. Dave website calendar. E-mails are sent to Club members only. Weinberg, “Burning Ice and Sinking Ships: Geology AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES Strikes Again.” Watch for emails. Tues., Oct. 3, 11 a.m., AC Atrium: Blair Thompson, SIG Chair: Jim Christiansen “Getting Into Hot Water: Origin of Ore Deposits.” REPTILE ID, RELOCATION & MAPPING SIG Chair: Paul Swetland FREE service, call: Jim Christiansen 512-868-3504, John NATIVE PLANTS SIG Leek 713-825-0145, Joe Plunkett 774-226-0810, Steve Watch for emails. See Club Calendar. Kelley 512-639-0539, Joe Moore 512-639-8319 SIG Chair: Art Gibson or City of Georgetown Animal Control 512-930- 3592. We encourage residents to leave Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know harmless, beneficial reptiles in their landscapes. them. Alan Alexander Milne (pronounced /ˈmɪln/) was an English author, best known for his books about the teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh and for various children's poems. NATURE CLUB WEBSITE: www.sctexas.org >Clubs>Nature Club PRESIDENT’S CORNER Damsels Nature’s August in Texas • Damselflies — like the Springwater Dancer (Argia plana), below — are usually smaller, with typical lengths The Nature Club is blessed with many volunteers ranging from 3/4 to 1 3/4 inches. who run our SIGs, arrange for speakers at our monthly • Like proper little ladies, damselflies hold their wings meetings, maintain our Website, write our Nature Notes, together ... except for spreadwings; these rebels are true ensure that timely announcements appear in the Sun to their name and rest with wings open. Rays, greet new residents, and make our social events • Damselfly eyes (also compound) are so wide set they're successful. Some of these fine volunteers have worked positioned more like our ears, giving damsel heads the tirelessly for our Club for years. It is time for other overall shape of small barbells. members to step up as we go forward. The flight of a damselfly is more delicate and We are in the search for two critical positions in fluttery than that of a dragonfly, hence the nickname "bog the Nature Club, President and Vice-President. Neither dancers." position is as demanding as you might think. The Vice- President’s major responsibilities are to oversee the Springwater Dancer (Argia plana), Val Bugh Program Committee (fully filled and functional), fill in occasionally for the President if he or she is absent, and attend quarterly Board meetings. The President’s duties are largely supervisory and because we have an excellent Treasurer, an excellent new Secretary, a thoughtful and engaged Board, and willing volunteers, the duties of President are quickly learned and not time consuming. As Past President Board member, I will be there every step of the way to give my advice and guidance as needed. Who in the Nature Club will step up? If you are willing – the Nature Club needs you! Attract dragons and damsels to your garden! Edward Wiley Dragons and Damsels — it's not Game of Thrones ... Grassleaf Mudplantain, Thomas L. Muller Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Provide a water source (preferably with shallow sides and a deeper center); these insects lay their eggs in water, so it's essential for procreation. Even a small pond Neon Skimmer (Libellula croceipennis), Michelle Bright will do! Native plants such as horsetail (Equisetum Dragonflies and damselflies add fluttering beauty hyemale), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) and zigzag to gardens with large, lacy wings and bold colors. And iris (Iris brevicaulis) are right at home on the edge of pond they're known to eat less desirable insects such as aphids and offer Odonata a place to perch; what's more, their and mosquitoes. See our tips on attracting dragons and sparse foliage affords an unobscured view of territory and damsels to your garden below. But first, here's a handy potential mates. crash course in discerning between these fancy fliers of Submerged plants are another good choice, as the order Odonata: they put oxygen in the water and provide cover for young Dragons dragon- or damselflies, or nymphs. Check out American • Dragonflies — like the striking Neon Skimmer (Libellula eelgrass (Vallisneria americana), common water nymph croceipennis), above — are usually larger, with average (Najas guadalupensis) and grassleaf mudplantain lengths up to 4 inches. (Heteranthera dubia) — pictured in the wild, above — for • See a pair of beautiful, net-like wings open wide? Most starters. likely a dragonfly. Include twigs and flat rocks for visiting Odonata to • The compound eyes of dragonflies are close set, so they sun themselves on. almost appear to touch (in fact, they sometimes do!). Sit back and wait for some fabulous fliers to pay • Dragonflies have thicker bodies and are said to be your pond a visit! stronger, more confident fliers than damselflies. .