Essays

Wild On The Prairie: Temporal Observations

First Week in April
April 1, 1999

Are you a llanero? A llanero is a knowledgeable citizen of our homeland, the Llano Estacado. Do you know the natural world of the Llano? Do you know when the mesquites leaf out, or when the scissortail flycatchers return in the spring? As a culture, we have become dissociated from the rhythms of the land and unfamiliar with the members of our local ecological community. Our goal and purpose at Sibley is to connect citizens of the city with the denizens of the natural world.

We at Sibley are Llano Estacado chauvinists. We love our homeland. To connect emotionally to the landscape within which we live is necessary for the health of one’s soul, we believe. It is the basis of patriotism. We live in a golden age. The technological advances of our civilization were unimaginable even one generation ago. Yet our spiritual and political leaders speak of apathy, moral decay, and other symptoms of a troubled people. We need to regain a sense of pride.It may seem simplistic to think that connecting with the natural world of one’s homeland could be a beginning of rekindling pride and patriotism. We at Sibley challenge you to come up with a list of your favorite things on the Llano Estacado. We developed a few to get you started. Box turtles, for example. We all know someone with a bunch in the back yard. The beautiful skies are often mentioned by residents -- glorious sunrises, stupendous sunsets, and awesome thunderheads.

Awareness of the land and its natural rhythms can build character. Perseverance in the face of drought is a lesson many of the early settlers and Native Americans learned. Standing in the shortgrass prairie without a building in sight and with only the wind and the sky for company humbles us. Waiting for the blessings of rain strengthens our sense of optimism. (“Next year will be better” is a refrain every rancher and farmer fervently believes.)

Droughts build strength and toughness in us. We learn to set priorities in paring down to the essentials needed to survive a drought. Even if one is not a farmer or rancher, the same lessons can be learned by entering a local pasture, such as the one at Sibley, and observing how plants and animals are enduring a drought.

Bleakness of spirit is impossible if you walk in the natural world. When a person sees a plant or animal thriving in a severe drought such as the present one, it can uplift their soul. Walking in one’s garden and seeing plants returning to green after this year’s intense cold of 13 degrees, can joyously renew the spirit.

The lessons learned on the Llano Estacado, we believe, are important to this day and to the American culture. Let us celebrate the glories of the Llano Estacado. The first week of April is a wonderful time. A plentitude of wonders occur- for example, the Blackchinned Hummingbirds return. If you have Salvia greggii, or Coral Honeysuckle, or Golden Columbine blooming in the yard, the hummers are sure to stay. And if they do, watch for the swooping mating display the males perform. By late April, see if you can find a nest. The shiny-throated male will not help the female, so you have to watch her very closely.

The box turtles should be out, hungry and curious. Leave supper leftovers on the turtles’ very own plate in a cool, shady corner of the garden. Look for preying mantis egg cases. If the top of the case does not have openings, keep coming back until you see up to two hundred tiny mantids rappelling to the ground.

Out in the pastures, mesquites should be leafing out, if they have not already done so. During the week following complete leafgrowth a look at the spiny shrubs will reveal find hundreds, if not thousands, of ladybug beetles of up to ten species. The Twice-stabbed Ladybug, all black with two red dots, is a charming find. Near taller trees, look for Western Kingbirds yelling and yahooing. These graybacked flycatchers with pale yellow chests often nest on electrical transformers and spend time sitting on the lines, after chasing away passing Chihuahuan Ravens and migrating hawks.

There is much more to look for the first week in April. Go to the big oil tanks east of town, to see if prairie dog young have emerged aboveground to feast on the new growth of spring. Hidden in the pastures baby bobcats are born, and you may glimpse the mother heading home at dawn. And there is more! The first Turkey Vulture of the year should circle high, not flapping a wing, lazily surveying for carrion. Go take a walk! Go take a drive! Find a patch of wildflowers, and breathe deeply, inhaling the sweet perfume. Oh my gosh, oh my oh my yes!!!! IT IS SPRING!!!!