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Iced Over Grotto
Photo by: Matthew Guthrie
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Like much of Texas, Westcave Preserve had an intense winter blast that lasted 10 days. Near the end of that winter spell, we were able to safely make it out to witness the sheer beauty of the Grotto. Enjoy these phenomenal photos of a once in a life time weather event were taken by Board Member, Matthew Guthrie.
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Ice Stalagmites
Photo by: Matthew Guthrie
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Westcave Board Member, Matthew Guthrie is selling digital versions of his Westcave icicle photos for $100/photo with all proceeds going straight to Westcave Preserve.
Photos are for personal use only.
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Westcave's Early Bloomers
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Photo by: Meagan Whitehouse
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Spring is FINALLY coming...and with that comes warming temperatures, colorful roadsides, greening landscapes, spawning fish, bountiful babies, beautiful insects, migrating birds, rejuvenation, and hope! Are you ready to rejoice in the new possibilities that spring brings?
Every spring preserve staff compete to see who can spot and log the first bloomer of each species. This year Nicole spotted the first bloomer, Common Stork's Bill (Erodium cicutarium).
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L:Common Stork's Bill (Erodium cicutarium), R: Yellow Wood-sorrel (Oxalis stricta)
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Other early bloomers include Wind-flower, Texas Agartia, Yellow Wood-sorrel, Missouri Violet, and Golden Groundsel. Join in the fun and keep your own log of the first bloomers in your yard, neighborhood park, or other nature space!
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Clockwise from upper left: Wind-Flower (Anemone heterophylla), Texas Agarita (Berberis trifoliolata), Missouri Violet (Viola missouriensis), Golden Groundsel (Packera obovata)
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Spring Migration:
Golden-cheeked Warblers Anticipated Arrival
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Migration is underway, bringing activity to many backyard feeders and joy to all bird enthusiasts. Birds in North America complete this amazing journey along four different migration routes each spring eager to re-enter breeding territories. Westcave Preserve is within the central migratory flyaway and supports 170 different avian species, in part due to our diversity of habitats, including the Texas Hill Country’s endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), listed as an endangered species in 1990.
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These neotropical endemic songbirds migrate between Central Texas, where they breed in spring and southern Mexico and Central America where they overwinter. Golden-cheeked Warblers nest exclusively in the Live Oak-Ashe Juniper woodlands of Central Texas. Female warblers build open-cup nests woven out of bark strips collected from mature Ashe Juniper (Juniperus asheii) trees (locally called “Cedar Trees”) and held together by spider webs.
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Book a trip out to Westcave this spring for a chance to catch a glimpse or hear a Golden-cheeked Warbler or another migratory bird species! For a dedicated birding hike sign up for our Warbler Walks while spots are still available.
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Amplify Austin
March 4-5, 2021
I LIVE HERE. I GIVE HERE
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Through decades protecting our Grotto as the iconic symbol of public-private conservation, and groundbreaking work leading the movement to connect children to nature in Central Texas, we inspire people to a lifetime of enjoying and protecting nature. Our conservation ethic proves successful in our work with the land and with people by recognizing that conservation requires attention to Recreation, Health, Wellness, Equity, and Literacy.
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All Westcave projects create a new level of access to nature for children and adults to experience the wonder of the natural world.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, September 12, 2021
2021 Celebration of Children in Nature Awards
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WONDER AND JOY. ITS IN OUR NATURE!
Save the date for the 2021 Celebration of Children in Nature Awards on Sunday, September 12, 2021!
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If you have any questions, comments, or fun stories to share please email us at info@westcave.org.
Best,
Your Westcave Family
info@westcave.org
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