Del Rio -- details! iNat gathering and bioblitz at Amistad and Devil's River!
Hey friends,
I finally have an update to the Del Rio gathering! The dates are the same (April 5 - 8), but the location has been now been narrowed down a touch. Here are the details - big time thanks to @gcwarbler for scouting some of these places (oh, and these can change some, but this is the general vicinity):
April 5: explore around Lake Amistad National Recreation Park, black lighting in the evening around this area…
April 6: explore some more around Lake Amistad National Recreation Park, black lighting in the evening around this area…
April 7: explore the Dan A Hughes State Natural Area (normally closed to public, but I've got the ok for us to explore here!) around Devil’s Creek, black lighting in this evening around this area…
April 8: : explore more of the Dan A Hughes State Natural Area and black light somewhere in the vicinity…
I wish I could stay longer, but I’ve got obligations on Monday, April 9, so I have to leave after lunch on April 8 (although, I’m actively trying to get out of this!)...
I think there are some folks that are planning on staying longer and going over to Big Bend either before or after, and they will maybe stop by Seminole Canyon State Park (heard this place is great) or other spots in the vicinity.
Here are some more of the nitty gritty details...
There WAS an airport in Del Rio... Alas, the closest airport is a few hours away in San Antonio, probably...
I’ll be staying in Del Rio, at this Quality Inn and Suites. There are quite a few hotels in the area… , all at relatively reasonable prices. There is camping at Lake Amistad as well. Also, there may be some other lodging options. @brentano was mentioning this to me.
Food: I’m not expecting us to do any fine dining during this little venture, so if you are able to bring food, bring it! I’m planning on doing some grocery shopping, and hopefully I’ll get some stuff for a weenie roast or whatever on at least one evening.
NO FACILITIES at some of these places, especially the Dan A Hughes State Natural Area! Read up on how to poo in the woods. Bring lots of water — by this time of year, it may already get a little warm (great for moths!), so we need to prep for this. At the grocery store, we should load up on water and drinks to stay hydrated.
So, comment and let folks know if you’re able to make it, where you’ll be staying, if you’ve got room in the car, etc...
I’m making t-shirts too! If you plan on going, comment what size shirt you want. I’m not making moola off of these shirts, so if you could bring like 10 bucks if you want one, that’d offset the costs. And if you don’t want a shirt, that’s ok too. :)
The point of this trip is to collect data for these areas (Val Verde County doesn’t have too too many data points on iNat), but most of all to connect with other naturalists in real life. Bring collecting gear if you want (nets and stuff), but we’ll only plan on taking digital vouchers on iNat. If push comes to shove, I do have a collections permit for the SNA, but I’d rather us just collect via photos.
I hope you can make it! If you’re not able to, that’s totally ok — there will be others in the future, I promise.
Tagging these folks that have shown interest on this trip — tag others that you think may be interested too. Ideally, this is for some pretty hardcore iNatters. :) Oh, and if you’re not planning on coming and don’t want to get drowned out in notices, you can ‘unfollow’ this post in the settings.
@nathantaylor7583 @kimberlietx @naturemom @connlindajo @greglasley @scottbuckel @itmndeborah @finatic @pileated @james5 @muir @nanofishology @bouteloua @kueda @loarie @tiwane @tadamcochran @alisonnorthup @gyrrlfalcon @amzapp @cosmiccat @mikegras @beschwar @coreyjlange @hydaticus @wildcarrot @susanhewitt @bogslogger @neotomastolemykeys @birdsbatsandbugs @butterflies4fun @aspidoscelis @ptexis @silversea_starsong @psyllidhipster @jaykeller @sea-kangaroo @aztekium @annikaml @anewman @eric_keith @bosqueaaron @cgritz @treegrow @briangooding @joelle @tfandre
Comments
I'm all in. I'll be there with moth sheet, MV and UV lights but if we are anywhere > 100 ft from an outlet, I'll need to find someone with a (quiet) portable generator. Also, I always refresh my wardrobe with iNat t-shirts; count me as an XL.
Counting the days!
A LG size shirt.
Made hotel reservations. See you there!
I wear an XL. Planning on camping. Can't wait! I'll be bringing sun-in-a-bulb.
I'm hopeful of making it but the dates are looking bad right now because of work obligations. I'm trying my best to find some coverage for that time. One week later and I would be all in for sure.
I'm in! I might show up on the 6th, but I'm still thinking on it. Pet sitting for 6 cats gets expensive!
I'll probably stay at the Quality Inn also (if anybody wants to split a double with me, let me know!). I'll be driving from Austin, and I have room in my car. My plans are flexible and I could go on the 5th if I'm driving people who want to get there earlier.
Size small shirt!
I don't know for sure if I'll have those dates free, but assuming they do I'd like to make it out there. But I have some questions about the airport - I can't find any flights to that airport on those dates (or any dates?). Flying would definitely be ideal as otherwise it's about a 12 hour drive, which I might be able to handle one way but I imagine after a few days of hardcore inatting I won't be too enthusiastic about the return trip...
There is no commercial airline service to Del Rio airport now. Texas-Sky had to pull out after they just couldn't sell enough tickets. http://www.texassky.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Texas-Sky-DRT-Press-release-Final-Version-JG.pdf
@psyllidhipster, I live right by the airport in Austin, and Del Rio is only a few hours from here. If you want to look into that and claim a spot in my car, you'd be welcome!
@nanofishology I visited Austin for the first time a couple months ago, really nice city! Didn't get to do much nature stuff while I was there but I was really impressed with the butterfly diversity I encountered, especially for November. I really appreciate the offer and if you don't mind carpooling to Del Rio I'd be happy to take you up on that. It's still too early for me to know for sure if I'll be available on those dates, but I'd really like to go if I can so I'll try to make it work!
We have butterflies all year :)
I'll pencil you into a seat! Last get-together we had, I still had one more space in the car so I don't think it will be a problem.
Anyone interested in rooming let me know. I have looked at airbnb and found a house that says it sleeps 6. I have 2 others interested and would like to have at least 4 to keep my/our costs to bare minimum.
Can I get 2 shirts? Brenna is upset she can't come to this one so would like to bring her one. An XL and an L.
@brentano What would the rate be with 4 people? I'm interested but concerned about the logistics of coordinating carpooling and rooming.
I'll be sitting out on this one. I have to save every penny to fix a leaky engine, which will cost $1,000.
I'm in. Giving myself a headache trying to coordinate dates, roommates, and carpooling. I'll take an XL shirt and an XL margarita.
Updated with the information on the airport... Bummer! I thought it was still an active airport, but I guess the closest one would be the San Antonio airport, and that's a few hour drive. Shoot.
The t-shirts are just like the one that @kimberlietx is wearing in her profile pic, only they are a light gray instead of black. My fellow Texans said that black is not a good color for summer. ;) If you're not able to come, but still want a t-shirt, let me know (toss me a message), and I can try to get you one. :)
Also, we can play it by ear on the locations too -- I've heard from a few folks that want to explore more areas, and that's totally cool. We can split up and explore other locations too! :) The general vicinity is Del Rio (Val Verde county), but of course, that can be modified!
I was telling Kimberlie that I really wanted to add Mexico to my pigeon map (@pigeonlover), so I'll be bringing my passport. I'm not necessarily planning on doing heavy iNatting across the border, but ya never know!
I think I am going to have to decline, due to too many obligations. Sad to do this, but work requires it. I will follow your collective exploits...
I got the go-ahead from work to miss these dates - so I'm in for sure! Would you please make me an XS T-shirt?
@nanofishology is there still room in your car? Though sounds like your car will be going to Mexico afterwards? Anyone else riding from Austin? My vehicle tends to break down on long road trips.... :-/
I plan on coming down Friday night to get in on some of that black lighting and leaving out sometime Sunday evening. I'm in the Waco area, so there are carpooling opportunities. Please mark me down for a L shirt.
Just saw your message @alisonnorthup! Still space in my car, Mexico may be a "during trip" excursion, and will be just across the border for a little bit. My car has one "maybe" in it right now, otherwise is nice and empty.
I've heard from some folks already (so if you've told me, I've got you down!), but I'm making a tshirt order super soon. Please let me know your sizes! If you're able to bring like 10 bucks for the shirt, cool, but of course, no obligations. :)
Oh, and if you're not able to make it but still want a shirt, let me know that too -- you can send me a private message with your shirt size and address. The shirts are light gray, with the logo and the word "iNaturalist." I know -- creative. ;) But hey, we'll all wear it with pride!
If I'm missing folks that want to come or need a shirt, please tag them for me.
@nathantaylor7583 @naturemom @greglasley @scottbuckel @itmndeborah @bouteloua @kueda @loarie @tiwane @gyrrlfalcon @amzapp @cosmiccat @mikegras @beschwar @hydaticus @wildcarrot @bogslogger @neotomastolemykeys @birdsbatsandbugs @butterflies4fun @aspidoscelis @ptexis @silversea_starsong @psyllidhipster @jaykeller @aztekium @annikaml @anewman @eric_keith @cgritz @briangooding @joelle @tfandre @cameralenswrangler @jwn7882
Looks like you posted this during the "great notification loss" of mid January. I wasn't aware of this at all until you tagged me this time.
In any case: sounds fun. I'd love to come but I'm only halfway through my driver's license, so I'd have to carpool with someone for the duration. Anyone have a space available? Happy to cover gas costs.
I want a shirt! Medium is usually a safe bet
There is a competing bioblitz in California that will hopefully be the week before this one but the dates aren't settled yet. I'd love to do both. Hopefully I'll know the dates for the other one soon so I can turn my maybe into a confirmed yes
:( :( :( I can not join, have made plans for those dates already. :( :( :(
However, I wouldn't mind if I could order a T-shirt, size Medium.
Are there any other Bioblitzes coming up? I would love to get them on my calendar so I don't miss any more?
Love to be there, need to work very hard here to be able and join you guys!
You need to come here too!
I'm coming and would like a shirt! Medium please. Thanks, Sam!
I am planning on coming from DFW and like @nanofishology I will be bringing my passport in hopes of making this thing international...
@sambiology I'm/we're a maybe. There are some things I'd really like to do and look for down there, but my schedule is still not firm around that time. I'll keep you posted. If I make it I'll wear my shirt from the last one. :-)
I'm not sure if I can make it, but I'm with @kimberlietx that my head's spinning trying to think about efficient options for travel including which city to fly to, sharing a car, and lodging (I'd be coming from Chicago, alone). So I made this thing where, if you're in my boat and would like to share car/hotel, you can enter your information and requests: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Jppvy-jsbVS7y6EN82U48I1WssA8HrBNRR7ictXsczI/edit#gid=0 (no obligations to fill out, but maybe someone will find it helpful!)
@ellen5 @dare2bloom
I'll be there! Hoping to maybe do some short video interviews and get some footage of folks iNatting, if that's cool. Just let me know if you don't want to be on camera (not on here, in person), I definitely don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Looking forward to this and hopefully seeing some herps Sam wasn't able to rustle up for me last trip...
Sadly, I won't make this one. I highly recommend both Dan Hughes SNA and Seminole Canyon. I have a full plant list for Seminole Canyon (425 species) and a checklist of common woody species from Dan Hughes if you guys are interested. They are both in Excel so will have to email. keith@ravenenvironmental.com
I'm trying to be there for at least part of the trip...working out a few details and making sure hubby is available for the kids. Shirt please! Medium.
@bouteloua You can ride with me if you can do the extended dates. (Or catch a ride back with someone else.) I updated your spreadsheet.
Great news, there will be no conflict of schedule for me so you can mark me as confirmed :) @nanofishology is there still room in your car? I have no problem sharing the burden of driving (though I know many dont like others driving their cars, but for a long trip I figure I'd offer -
unless you drive a stick in which case I would have to revoke the offer entirely, hah)
I suppose the next step for me is to look at lodging options. For the August Arizona bioblitz I really appreciated the convenience that came with most of us staying at the same hotel(s).
Awesome! And I'm fine driving the whole way, I already drive several hundred miles a week so a couple hundred more in a day is nothing. Yay Texas!
Great! Thank you so much. What day do plan on driving in / out ? I know you said earlier you were thinking of doing the 6th, so whatever you're planning just let me know so I can coordinate flight times.
I'm coming.. Haven't finalized the dates but will update that spreadsheet this weekend.. Of course I want another shirt especially since it is not black. I would like to get 2 for upcoming inat event if that works for $20 or you have extra. I will take a 'M' and a 'L'.
I'll probably join you all. Anyone have recommendations for places I might be able to poke around away from the roadside between Del Rio & Las Cruces? Less interesting is better... where's the least interesting place I could go on a couple mile walk?
A little out of the way, but Davis Mountains State Park is worth a stop. Although it's pretty interesting.
Hi Sam and all, like S-Starsong, I didn't get this message until now. It all sounds very exciting. I plan to attend at least some of the activities. It sounds like a great time and I look forward to meeting iNatters in person.
Don't know that I qualify as a "hardcore iNatter," but hope you will let me tag along. If so, I will be there with a passport. Not entirely sure when or what cities I will be coming from or leaving for. XL T-Shirt, please.
@psyllidhipster Not sure when I'm driving out yet--should probably figure that out soon, huh? Tricky part: I have a million cats and the petsitter is expensive. I have a work trip coming up in a few weeks (also have to pay the petsitter), but I don't know how long I'll be gone, or how much money I'll have for the petsitter in April after that trip is done. Hate to leave you hanging like this... do you have a date preference? I know some flights on some days are cheaper than others.
Still debating about going, but I hope to make it. I definitely would like a t-shirt. Size medium.
@nanofishology No worries; I plan on flying into Austin on the 4th, but whether you're able to leave on the 5th or the 6th it doesn't matter to me. The last time I was in Austin (in November) I went on a hike at the Barton Creek Greenbelt, I didn't have my camera with me but saw so many great things! If I had to spend an extra day or so in Austin I wouldn't mind exploring that spot again, or checking out other local hotspots. Hopefully all the petsitting stuff works out! After you get back from your upcoming work trip maybe then we can work out the finer details, until then there's no rush from me.
There is so much to do in the Austin area it's ridiculous. If you're here for an extra day or two, you have to go east. Things get really interesting as you enter the Lost Pines region. I've done my share of wandering around McKinney Roughs and Bastrop State Park, but there's so much in the area I haven't even scratched the surface.
A great hotspot closer to Austin is Hornsby Bend. Really close to the airport (5 minute drive), great diversity year-round. To be honest, you could pick any place where there are plants and you'll be overwhelmed if you look closely enough.
Thanks for the recommendations! I'll definitely try and check out those spots if I can.
From my point of view, Val Verde County is about at the east end of the world worth visiting. Any further east and there's, like, trees and humidity and similar nonsense. :-)
I would like a XL T-shirt
Hey friends,
Just FYI -- I did make the order of tshirts -- I'm getting 70 shirts! Now, there won't be 70 people at this event, but I did hear back from several folks via messages that want shirts, so I'm making a whopper of an order! :) Again, no obligations, but if you're able to bring like 10 bucks for the shirt at the gathering in Del Rio, that'd be cool. They're light gray with the green iNat logo and "iNaturalist" under it. A few folks asked about customized shirts with usernames, and I'm not able to do that with this bulk order -- lo siento... You can make custom shirts through the company I'm going with though (www.bigfrog.com).
Again, if you need a ride or need a place to stay or have any questions or concerns, PLEASE comment here so we can all help each other out. :) And big time thanks to @bouteloua for putting together that spreadsheet too: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Jppvy-jsbVS7y6EN82U48I1WssA8HrBNRR7ictXsczI/edit#gid=0 That's super helpful if you can enter in your details there, if you know them.
Spring is coming! :)
I'll be arriving in San Antonio at 1:30pm on 4/4 and will rent a car for the drive to Del Rio. Happy to give someone a ride if they need one.
@sambiology -Sam plan to attend from Austin area, please add me to your future messages Thanks
Galen
Does anyone have any blacklight recommendations? Maybe flashlight versions that are more portable?
I have three blacklight flashlights. One is a tiny keychain and the other two are small flashlights. Here's one that's held up pretty well: https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Flashlights-Blacklight-Ultraviolet-Flashlight/dp/B00RV8PREI
Is there a place where people will gather in the morning? A campsite or motel parking lot or someplace to start off each day? If so, when and where?
@sambiology Thank you for letting me know about this and have it on my calendar to attend as much as possible if at all possible. I know the DAH unit of DRSNA quite well as we have a permanent conservation easement on it, and owned it for several years.
Regarding moth lights, Adam Cochran shared this link with me. I have the materials on order.
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/11836-diy-moth-light#activity_comment_1096133
Hello everyone. The trip is getting close and I'm excited! I'd love to hear if anyone has any specific goals for the trip, or areas of expertise, or species that you are on the look out for. I would be stoked to see a horned lizard, as I haven't seen one since I was a kid! Also...everything else :)
I'm down to see everything, but would love to see some Texas snakes...
I'm interested in any new? Maybe an Indigo Snake and would love to see a horned toad too. My interest is butterflies and insects so I'm sure I will see new species not here in North Texas. I'm currently on the search for the rare frosted elfin butterfly so may look on the way down, but it's host plant baptisia is not in that area. I would love to the the white peacock and ruddy daggerwing butterflies as well as the Monarchs starting to migrate north.. and what about a porcupine.. ouch. I also bought the Moth light mentioned on the above link and am waiting for it to come in the mail. I need to do some more research on what can be found in the area. Here is the guide online to Amistad.. Very basic but good for me since I hadn't looked: https://www.nps.gov/amis/learn/nature/index.htm
Great to see lots of excitement brewing for this trip!
I am planning on calling up Sarah Howard again soon to find the best locations that we can meet up in the mornings and moth at night.
Stay tuned for more specific locations. I'm really excited to meet new folks too. :)
How many people are bringing blacklight equipment (light + generator+ sheets)?
I'll have a sheet, two lights, and a small portable battery pack. Won't be hooking up my 150W MV lamp unless we have an AC outlet.
+1 lights/sheet, no generator
@sambiology could you inquire of your cohorts about maybe borrowing a generator like we did at Pat Mayse for folks with the big MV lights?
I will have a sheet, one light, 390-395 nm, battery operated, and one or two lights, 395-400 nm, with a power bank.
@tiwane and all. Val Verde County has an impressive diversity of snakes and lizards, but the county doesn't give up her snakes easily. Seeing an assortment of lizards is easy. Texas horned lizards are a possibility, round-tail horned lizards, too, but neither are particularly common. A possible problem that we all will face in this area may be dry conditions--so far we've had .6" this year at my property 25 miles north of Del Rio. You never know, though, there could come a flood between now and them. When its dry it's even harder to get Val Verde to give up her snakes. @ butterfies4fun mentioned indigos. They are fabulous snakes and they are here. They are rarely seen, probably exist in low numbers in the Devils River drainage, but they might be encountered out at Hughes SWA. April is a good time to see them. They eat a lot of frogs and are usually seen near the Devils. Porcupines, ringtails, and hooded skunks are often seen on the roads at night. It's surprising, but diamondback rattlesnakes are a relatively rarely seen species., at least when compared to their apparently abundance in South Texas and West Texas. Blacktail rattlesnakes might be moving and seen on roads at night in April. Bullsnakes and Baird's ratsnakes are real possibilities, and both are fairly diurnal in early spring. Coachwhips, central Texas whipsnakes, and patchnose snakes are diurnal and commonly seen crossing roads. Rock rattlesnakes are up on the bluffs and can occasionally be found at night in highway rock cuts. That's where grayband kingsnakes are most often found. Everyone attending should be aware that Texas has some strange laws regarding road-collecting reptiles and amphibians. In Texas it is illegal to pick up reptiles (live or dead) off the road (day or night) without a scientific collecting permit. It's technically illegal to move a turtle or snake off the highway to keep it from being hit by traffic. It's also illegal to stop and photograph a reptile on the road if you in anyway "impede it's natural movement and progress." Val Verde has six game wardens, I've met several and they are nice folks, but they are sticklers for the regulations. It's also illegal to look for reptiles at night on the side of the road at night unless you wear an orange reflective vest with 400 sq. in. of reflective tape on it. I don't know if this applies to people looking for insects and arachnids. I've been told it does not, but I haven't heard that officially, didn't pursue it because I don't look for critters at night on the side of the road. It's pretty down here, lots of flowers are blooming and plants are leafing out. April is a good time to be here, and it's right around the corner.
I'll have my mothing setup: PVC frame with a sheet, 2 Bioquip UV tubes, and a power bank that has an AC outlet.
Thanks @ptexis. I'll be happy with anything I can't see in California. Which will be pretty much everything. A nice snake or horned lizard would be gravy.
Got my hotel reservations made! I have a TxMN class on Thursday night, but will leave early Friday morning and stay until Sunday. I'm contemplating ordering a portable battery pack for my black light. Can't wait to see you all and meet the people I haven't met in person yet!
I'm with Tiwane, but honestly any reptile that isn't in CA would be fantastic.
Bugs and birds!
also herps I guess
But Bugs and Birds!!!
Really sorry to have to say this, but Zachary and I won't be making it down for this one. He has a 3-day swim meet over the weekend. :-(
I look forward to seeing all the amazing observations you all post!
Benjamin
I am going for sure....I'm staying at the Best Western in Del Rio on 4/5 and 4/6...have to head home on Sat.
@krancmm On behalf of the entire Texas iNat community, we officially invite you to the Del Rio BioBlitz (details above). I am so sorry this information is coming to you so late. Shame on us!
@sambiology , I vote for giving Monica a free t-shirt.
Heeeeeey everyone!
Next week! Our gathering is next week -- I hope you're as excited as I am. :)
So, we'll have some 'gathering locations' for the mornings and for the nights. The main objective of this gathering is just to get together with fellow naturalists in person, but of course, it'd be nice if we can document some of the neat critters and plants in the area. I'm hoping that we all get to see lots of things that we haven't seen before -- that's what I enjoy about going to these sorts of things.
So I did call Amistad and have reserved a "group site" at the San Pedro campgrounds for Thursday night. Soooo, on Thursday AM, let's try to gather/meet at the visitor center at 9:00 AM. We can get a 'plan of attack' of where we'll go explore during the day-- if you want to (if you want to explore solo or go to different places, totally cool!). I've got the San Pedro campgrounds reserved from noon on Thursday until noon on Friday. Since I've not no familiarity with the place, we can decide where to go after Thursday.
Here is the location of the visitor center:
https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Specifically, 9:00 AM on Thursday, April 5:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/29%C2%B027'42.9%22N+100%C2%B058'32.4%22W/@29.4621465,-100.9763972,637m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d29.4619019!4d-100.9756682
Our campground for the first evening is here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/29%C2%B028'17.3%22N+100%C2%B057'17.2%22W/@29.4714783,-100.9635328,3606m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d29.4714794!4d-100.9547775
Ideally, we'll find another place to go to around Amistad on Friday day and set up mothing areas somewhere else -- we'll see!
For Saturday and Sunday, we'll go to the Dan A Hughes unit. Again, I've got NO familiarity with the location at all, so I'll hope that @johnkarges and @ptexis and others that have been there can give us some guidance. I'll have the gate codes, and the entire area will be explorable!
Also, RE: collecting... I have a permit for collecting on the SNA, and even for herping at night along the roads, but ideally, we just want to have photo-vouchers. If push comes to shove, and you REALLY have to have a physical voucher, we can work with that. I've got the permits. (Although, I've just got 'photovouchers' on my research permit from Amistad NPS...)
I realize that there may be no cellular coverage out there, but if you'd like to, send me a text so I have your contact:
817 771 8793
If you would like to be on a 'group text' where we can all be in contact with each other, let me know that too.
And, hopefully Del Rio will get a little rain early next week! :) Looks like it's possible!
https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Del+Rio+TX+78840:4:US
As for food, there's a grill there at the campsite -- I'll try to grab lots of hotdogs and stuff for a group din din on Thursday night at least. Otherwise, be sure to grab some food that you can eat. Dining isn't going to be the highlight of the trip for sure -- camaraderie with each other will be! :)
Oh yeah, I've got some shirts. Again, if you have 10 bucks for a shirt, cool. If not, that's ok too, you can just owe me like 100 identifications or something.
Making sure that these folks see this message. Again, toss me a text with your contact so I have it saved on my phone: 817 771 8793 and let me know if you want to be on the group message. If I already have your contact, still send me a message and say 'yes' or 'no' to the group message thing.
@alisonnorthup @amzapp @aspidoscelis @bosqueaaron @brentano @briangooding @butterflies4fun @cameralenswrangler @connlindajo @gcwarbler @gpstewart @greglasley @hydaticus @johnkarges @kimberlietx @mako252 @nanofishology @psyllidhipster @ptexis @silversea_starsong @tadamcochran @tiwane @jwn7882 @charley @joshua_tx @nathantaylor7583 @bogslogger
Hope I haven't left anyone out!
Also, if you're not coming, and if you just want to send me a text anyways, go ahead. :)
@bouteloua Did you decide not to go? :(
Just saw that the oldest winery in the state of Texas is in Del Rio too. May have to do some iNatting over there. :)
Hey everyone,
Just spoke with Joe Joplin, the manager of the Dan A Hughes unit of the Devil's River SNA. He'll meet us out there as well.
On Saturday and Sunday mornings, we'll meet here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/29%C2%B043'52.3%22N+100%C2%B049'18.3%22W/@29.7311873,-100.8304908,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d29.7311878!4d-100.8217359
It's by the intersections of 377, 277, and Mier Ranch Road. There's a spot by the road where we can consolidate into a few vehicles (leaving some vehicles there). It's ~25 miles north of Del Rio.
He did request that we make ALL observations obscured on the Dan A Hughes unit. This area is not open to the public, so we want to be especially cautious with our observation locations -- so if you wouldn't mind, please make ALL of the observations made on the Dan A Hughes unit obscured. :)
Temps will be in the 80's and 90's -- and it should be pretty dry. Good for bugs and lizards! :)
I've heard back from some of you that want to be on the group text -- I'll send a group message tomorrow (Tuesday). Again, if you want to be on it, let me know. Or, if you want to just have my cell contact, here it is: 817 771 8793
Really looking forward to seeing those of you that can make it. And if you aren't able to make it this time, no worries -- there will be others!!!
@sambiology Are you using a group messaging app for the text?
@sambiology I'd love to be added to the group text so that I can be in the loop - my number is 562 595 3843
see you in a few days!
Womp, womp for me. :(
Ya'll have fun! I can still send you guys a decent list of woody species for the Dan Hughes (Excel file) and full plant list for Seminole Canyon (Word Document, but kind of dated) if you're going there. Email me at keith@ravenenvironmental.com
@eric_keith I'm interested in plant lists. Could you email me a copy? cmalloryca@gmail.com
Reposting a link to a plant inventory of Amastad National Area from the previous journal post if anyone is interested.
Only 3 Euphorbia so far around Austin but I hope to find more @nathantaylor
Look forward to seeing how many you find!
A rare species from the moth sheet last night (C. Sextonii): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10674553
Hey all — what a blast I had this weekend with good naturalists. I’ll be working on a journal entry that has links to everyone’s observations during the week (and the specific time periods folks were there), so stay tuned.
If you weren’t able to make it — don’t fret. There will be more! :)
A message for the folks that joined us at the Dan A Hughes unit on location information... Go ahead and put the ‘location dot’ at the intersection of 277 and 377, and then just stretch that accuracy circle all the way to Devil’s River. It’s a monster circle of 19,000 m... Then, obscure the observation. Sorry about the hassle there, but if you wouldn’t mind doing that, I’d appreciate it.
@nanofishology @nathantaylor7583 @amzapp @bosqueaaron @jwn7882 @alisonnorthup @butterflies4fun @elizrose @hydaticus @charley @briangooding @brentano @kimberlietx @gcwarbler @tiwane @silversea_starsong @psyllidhipster
For those of us that have a LOT of uploading to do, be sure to use the existing guides of the organisms of Val Verde County to help with the ID’s: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=405&view=species
And you can use that to filter by general taxon — plants, fungi, birds, etc...
It was a really great trip — thanks to all that could make it, and for those that didn’t, we’ll see you at the next one soon! :)
(I noticed that a few folks already uploaded shots from the Dan A Hughes unit — totally cool, just make sure those observations are obscured). :)
Sam, thanks for organizing this trip! It was a lot of fun to see people again, meet new iNaturalist-obsessed people, and find new (to me) organisms!
Thanks to everyone involved for this meetup! I've needed an excuse to get to TX for some time and this was certainly it. Only sorry that I could not wave farewell to everyone in person. Turns out, iNatting in TX can get pretty intense!
Best thing about Texas: you will never run out of new things to find. Surprises everywhere!
Behold, a "new" project type for the trip: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/southwest-texas-inat-a-thon Please let me know if I forgot to put you on the list for observers!
A big thank you to Sam for organizing the trip, I had a lot of fun meeting everyone and reveling in the incredible community you all have helped build. If you're ever in the Bay Area, send me a message so we can go iNatting!
@sambiology -Sam thanks for organizing another great outing. enjoyed seeing you and Elizabeth again as well as all other iNaters.
@tiwane Hey, Tony. Thanks for putting that project together. Can you add me to the list?
Thanks Sam for putting this trip together and Tony for the project! I really enjoyed the trip and look forward to seeing what everyone found.
Thanks so much to Sam for organizing, and for everyone else for making it such a fun and memorable trip. That second moth-ing night was pretty insane. To the folks I didn't know, nice to meet you! Sorry that I tend to go off on my own...
I'm dying to start my uploads and to see what others found--especially on that mega-night at Amistad Spur 406! I'm currently on the road in AZ and will probably be delayed another 2 weeks before I can settle in to uploading (back home). It's killing me! I'll have occasional motel internet, as I do this evening.
p.s. Had another good night moth-ing in Davis Mts SP on Sunday, 4/8. Everything new to me!
I'm writing an article about Del Rio for our Cross Timbers Master Naturalist newsletter and could use some human pics, if anyone has some they'd be willing to share for publishing. (I always forget the humans...) My email is TheSameAsMyiNaturalistUsername@gmail.com. Bonus points for any featuring our members (Sam, Brent, Charley, and myself) TY!
I have some I can share, @kimberlietx. When do you need them by?
@tiwane Thanks Tony! Last day of the month.
I have a nice one of @tiwane showing off his shirt, want that?
@silversea_starsong I misread your comment at first. I'm glad I read it again, haha.
I've been adding human observations and linking them to this journal post: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/nanofishology/15307-alysa-s-list-of-del-rio-bioblitz-highlights
@tiwane I bought one and it's the best thing ever and I love it. Especially in central Texas where maybe nobody knows what a nudibranch is :D
@nanofishology that's awesome! I'm tagging @leptonia here (who illustrated it) so he knows his nudibranch shirts have reached the Lone Star State.
Oh wait I want one. I thought it was just a specially made for Tony shirt. LOL. Where can I get one?
Hahah, cool!
Found this article in my Electric Coop Magazine and it is about Amistad and the Devil's river area and how many plants with Devil got there names. I thought it was very interesting: https://www.texascooppower.com/texas-stories/history/what-the-devil .. Did anyone know Amistad means 'Friendship' .. Anyway have a read if you like.
Happiness is....@gcwarbler IDing all the Val Verde moths!
Make sure to check out the video of @gcwarbler being interviewed:
https://www.inaturalist.org/blog/17268-an-interview-with-gcwarbler
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