Friedrich Wilderness Park 6/5/23
On June 5th, 2023 me and my girlfriend were finally able to go on a walk after not having the chance to in a while. We decided to visit Friedrich Wilderness Park to see the beautiful wildflower meadows and the butterflies that feed in the meadow. This was our second visit and we were excited to return since on our first visit we visited too late in the day to see the butterflies. This time we arrived early, just before noon. As soon as we arrived we headed to the wildflower meadows. A Common Spotted Whiptail scurries away at our arrival (1). The meadow was full of delightful encounters with adored species and even new ones! We saw many Queen butterflies, a new species for us (2). They are such big beautiful butterflies related to Monarchs. We snapped many photos of them (3). However, I was too distracted by them to take a picture of a Northern Cardinal on the ground. Luckily, my girlfriend got one for me (4).
(1) Common Spotted Whiptail
(2) Queen
(3) Queen
(7) Bordered Patch
(8) Common Buckeye
The wildflower meadow was not only home to the butterflies but to birds as well. Unlike the butterflies, the birds were perched higher up. I first observed another Northern Cardinal hidden in the branches of an elm (10). Also in the trees above was a noisy flock of Carolina Chickadees (11). The Chickadees were very active which made it difficult to get a photo, but I managed to get one. Much easier to photograph was a Ladder-backed Woodpecker probing into a hole on the underside of a electricity pole (12).
We had also seen a Western Giant Swallowtail but I just barely missed my opportunity to get a picture. We decided it was time to head to the trails but we made a few observations along the way. A Checkered White butterfly was feeding in the other wildflower meadow (13). The butterfly so small in the vast sea of native flowers. Just outside this meadow was a Rose-bellied Lizard basking on a rock, quite unbothered by our presence (14). At the very edge of the meadow was a tiny Reakirt's Blue, so small it could be missed (15). As we approached the trail entrance we saw another Common Buckeye butterfly, in this photo you can see where it gets its name (16).
We boarded the trail where we immediately spotted a Texan Crescent butterfly (17). Down the Scrub Jay Pass trail we'd come across another Texan Crescent, I really adore this species for its distinguished appearance. The trail is very dark despite it being a hot sunny day, this is because the forest trees shade out the sun. However, we came across a small opening in the canopy where the sun made a spotlight. Under this light basked a Rose-bellied Lizard (18). This is one of my favorite photos I've ever taken, the spotlight highlights the subject so perfectly. In another, larger clearing we see a butterfly. As it briefly opens it wings we see that it is a Common Buckeye. Yet it closes its wings once more as it basks in the sun (19).
(18) Rose-bellied Lizard
The trees are just as full of life as the ground is. Up above, a noisy cacophony of birds fills my ears. The chatter is coming from a flock of small birds. I struggle to get a good look of the birds as they hop from tree to tree. I snap as many pictures as I can. Luckily, in the craze I managed to get two photos where I can recognize the species of birds. The large flock was made up of Black-crested Titmice (20). Hiding amongst the flock was a Carolina Chickadee (21). The flock retreats, leaving the forest silent. We venture deeper into the silent forest where spot a Question Mark butterfly clinging to a tree (22). Another butterfly we saw was the unique American Snout (23). I struggled to keep up with it until it perched on a leaf, allowing me to get a picture. You can see where it gets it name, its long snout. The heat of the day radiates through the forest and we decide to head back but we go we see one last animal, another male Northern Cardinal.
(20) Black-crested Titmouse
(21) Carolina Chickadee
So we found ourselves back where we started but this time sweaty and hungry but nonetheless happy with the beautiful life we saw on our visit to Friedrich Wilderness Park. We will definitely be returning to see more of the amazing species that make the unique habitats here their home. A walk at a nature park was long over due and so, in my opinion, we are in need of many more. Perhaps we'll visit new ones that are on my bucket list. Parks that will get their own blog post once we visit.
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