Ranch Naturalists

If you’re a regular reader or follow us on Facebook, you know that we have an iNaturalist project for the ranch and that we upload new observations all the time. You’re probably also aware of how excited we’ve been to see the spring wildflowers start to bloom.

A few days ago, we found a new one—well, new to us, at least! Using Seek, Julie identified it as a fawn lily. After some further research at home, we believe it’s a midland fawn lily (Erythronium mesochoreum).

Shortly after we posted to iNaturalist, we were contacted by Bryan Reynolds, a nature photographer who is currently working on a book about Oklahoma wildflowers with Amy Buthod from the Oklahoma Biological Survey at the University of Oklahoma.

Apparently, the fawn lily is fairly uncommon in this area, and Bryan had been searching for one to photograph for his book. He asked if he could visit for photos. Of course, we said yes; we were thrilled to be able to help.

We spent an hour or two chatting with Bryan about ways to connect with naturalists and nature enthusiasts in Oklahoma. Before moving, we were actively involved in the Louisiana Master Naturalist program and looked forward to earning the same certification here. However, after arriving, we discovered that the program had stalled after COVID and doesn’t seem likely to return anytime soon.

Bryan suggested several organizations to explore, and we’re hopeful about expanding our network.

While we were talking, we noticed a gopher tossing dirt out of a mound.

That reminded us of when a gopher researcher reached out to Julie after she posted another observation on iNaturalist.

Dr. Russel Pfau, who studies pocket gophers and their range, has written an excellent guide on Gopher Gawking, explaining how location can be a useful method for differentiating between G. bursarius (plains pocket gopher) and G. breviceps (Baird’s pocket gopher).

Unless, of course, you live where we do—right in the middle of where their ranges meet.

Maybe someday a biologist will get funding for a study and we’ll be able to assist in some field research or DNA testing. And that aligns perfectly with our goals for living here on the ranch.

Here’s one of the little guys who came up for a portrait.

I’ll close with one last image—some beautiful purple finches that visited my feeders today.

Final Note

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