Leaving Midland Soon, Thursday May 30.

Just a few more days before Midland High graduation and I wanted to spend another morning at the Merritts.

I found Joann surveying her wild flower paradise. Violets and lots of DYC's grace the southwest corner of their acres. 

This dead prickly pear cactus had its skeleton bared to show the intricate network of veins that provide the water storage capacity of this hardy species. 

We were serenaded by Bewick's Wren and Verdin as we made the circle though their magic kingdom. I can just imagine the hours of enjoyment the 4 Merritt youngsters had exploring this dense forest carving trails that still exist today. I know the Kellys have loved sharing these trails for the last 35 years. We opted out of climbing Merritt Mountain this morning. 

Across the street on the Adams Acreage, we meandered through the prickly pear forest comparing the various colors of cactus flowers. 

The barrow ditch was a riot of colors, mostly Mexican Hat in three shades ranging from all red to totally yellow with a mixture of the two hues in between. The composites were interspersed with guara, rayless thelesperma and alfalfa. 

Don was waiting on a person to haul off the old refrigerator, so Joann and I headed off to Mulberry Lake on the big four wheeler. 

The big pit is almost full and water is still pouring in from I-20 on the northside after four full days. 

We discovered swallows nesting in the box culvert under the interstate, hoping they would be Cave Swallow, but the obvious bright white foreheads clearly say Cliff. The nests are not yet complete giving them a saucer-shaped appearance. 

This side-blotched lizard was a pleasant surprise among the numerous striped whip-tails that never would stand still long enough for a decent photo. 

The east side of the deep pit provided another view of just how much water has come into the pond after Sunday morning's rain. This is a continuation of the north Midland Drive watershed that gives the I-20 wetlands its water. The City has conveniently routed all the rainfall from northwest Midland down the center of Midland Drive and into the draw that has created the feral forest we have enjoyed for the last 20 years. Only inn the last 3 years has the Jenna Welch Nature Preserve been created on a property Midnats have birded and enjoyed since the early 90's. 

All my dragonfly pictures were fuzzy, but we still have the vivid mental images of Common Green Darner, Roseate Skimmer, and Eastern Amberwing. The only butterflies identified were Reakirt's Blue and Checkered White. With all the flowers and abundant frog fruit, the summer B'fly count should be great. 

Even though Gallinule Pond was dry and we weren't able to traverse Rocky Sock Ridge, I still have so many memories of happy times spent with the Merritts who have so graciously shared their magic kingdom with all how love nature as much as they.