Butterfly Season Begins

Well the butterflies have started returning to all parts of the Sanctuary. The colder than normal winter weather not only altered our routines but it did a number to the flowering plants and larval foods the butterfly population needs in order to survive and reproduce. On my walk and ride through the Sanctuary the other day I saw Gulf Fritillary, Black Swallowtails, White Peacocks, quite a few Sulfurs, Monarchs and Buckeye butterflies.

In the flowering plant section of the new garden some but not all of the seeds we all sowed were starting to peek through the soil. Part of the garden is still under water though and we will have to wait and see if all of our treasured plants survived. I found Bachelor Buttons, Cosmos, several Cassia tree species and many of the wild vines. The Hackberry trees were setting fruit along with the wild plum and blackberry vines. Grape vines were also starting to produce and a few Lion's Ear plants were returning.

Hope to spend some time next week tossing more seeds and hoping for rain.

Happy Mother's Day to all Sanlanders everywhere.

Susan Schenk

Friday Observations

On Friday Gary and I were discussing the up and coming summer season. While perched on the picnic tables we kept being visited by a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers. When it comes to bug eating birds the flycatchers and the gnatcatchers are fun to watch. Here and there they flew along the fences from palm tree to palm tree. They were such a special treat to watch and listen to with their constant calls that kept each other notified to their positions.

Susan Schenk

Un-Officially Summer Love Bug Season

For all the Sandlanders who are away and those that might still be around I can officially announce the un-official start of the summer season, the 'Love Bugs' have returned. Sanlan is looking awesome as the last vestiges of Spring fade away to the lazy, long sunny days of early summer. The myriad of dragonflies have returned and hover like some tiny secret weapon against the mosquito population.


The female Osprey has her daily routine in high gear, fishing the front lake everyday until she catches her nestlings breakfast. A Great Blue Heron seems annoyed at her constant diving over the water. The other day along the drive on Hwy 98 I was able to see the most fantastic sight. Apparently an Eagle had stolen a fish from the Osprey male and the Osprey kept dive bombing the Eagle trying in earnest to get the fish back, he succeeded in getting the Eagle to drop the fish. Wish I had a camera with me when it happened.

Susan Schenk