Eastern Fence Lizard

Eastern Fence Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus

Sometimes confused for another member of the Phrynosomatidae family, the horned lizard, the fence lizards are of a different genus. Of the two species of fence lizard, the Eastern Fence Lizard has a wider range across the eastern and southern states and includes eight subspecies. They can be found in grasslands, shrubland, forests, and suburban homes, but rarely far from trees. While overall grayish, the females have black horizontal patterning on their back, and, during breeding season, males can be seen with bright blue patches on their underside and chin. They are primarily insectivores, but females have been observed consuming plant matter in spring for egg-laying. A clutch of up to 16 eggs may be laid, and while young females usually only lay one clutch a year, older females may lay up to four clutches within a year. These are deposited under the soil, but receive no additional parental care.

Photography courtesy of Brittany Young. Thank you!

Soft-hair Marbleseed

Soft-hair Marbleseed, Onosmodium bejariense

Soft-hair marbleseed is a perennial that blooms in Texas from March through May and can be found throughout much of central and eastern North America. The flowers are a creamy white, and the seeds are a pearly white for which this plant gains it common name, but it may also be called False Gromwell. Soft-hair marbleseed can be found growing in sun or part shade in sandy, clay, or rocky soils within prairies. It can grow up to 1 m (3 ft) in height and produce many flowers.

American Robin

American Robin, Turdus migratorius

The American Robin is an iconic early bird and herald of spring that can be found throughout most of North America. While these thrushes are mostly migratory, they are seen year round in most states. American robins  prefer open areas or short grass for foraging, but occupy woodlands, mountains, fields, gardens, and lawns. They actively forage during the day, especially in winter when they roost in large flocks at night. These roosts have been known to include up to a quarter million birds.

Robins are known as strong, fast, and straight fliers.

During spring and summer, and during mornings, the American robin consumes mostly invertebrates, but their diet also includes numerous fruits including chokecherries, sumac, dogwood, juniper berries, especially in fall and winter and later in the day. As lawns are a common area to forage, American robins are more vulnerable to pesticide poisoning. American robins are monogamous with pair bonds during breeding season and are one of the first birds to lay eggs. The nests are characteristically reinforced with soft mud and the nestlings are mainly fed insects, especially earthworms.

American Smoke Tree

American Smoke Tree, Cotinus obovatus

American Smoke Tree gets its common name from the pink billowy spring panicles which look like smoke or haze rising from the tree from a distance. In cultivation it often doesn't reach heights past 6 m (20 ft), but in the wild and with time it can be up to 9.1 m (30 ft) tall. The native range of the American smoketree is in the mountainous soils of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Oklahoma with a few in Texas Hill Country, but it can now be found throughout most of the United States.

Pink panicles of the American Smoke Tree.

It is a very drought, disease, and heat tolerant tree as well as tolerant of limestone soils. The flowers may change from yellow to pink or purple as they age, and the bark of older trees can become dark and flaky. In the fall, the foliage is known for its spectacular shades of yellow, orange, and scarlet.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a common woodpecker within the pine, mature hardwood, and mixed forests in the eastern half of the United States, as well as in backyards. Although pale with a red cap, they are not to be confused with the rarer Red-headed Woodpecker. A pair of red-bellied woodpeckers can carve a nest in a dead tree within 7 to 10 days, but they will occasionally use bird houses. They are omnivorous with a diet consisting of a wide variety of fruits, nuts, seeds, berries, sap, and invertebrates. Their long, spear-tipped tongue is used to excavate prey from cracks, and prey that is too large is trashed against a tree and pecked. In addition to a long tongue, one that is curled around the back of the head when in storage, woodpeckers have thickened skulls and powerful neck muscles to help deliver sharp blows with their chisel bills without damaging their organs.

Blotched Water Snake

Blotched Water Snake, Nerodia erythrogaster transversa

The non-venomous blotched water snake is the predominant water snake in Texas. A subspecies of plain-bellied water snake, it differs from the visually similar other subspecies, the yellow-bellied water snake, as the blotched water snake has marks along the back. As they age, they darken and can also often be confused with the similarly stout-bodied western cottonmouth. Unlike the western cottonmouth, both the yellow-bellied water snake and blotched water snake have yellow lips with dark labial sutures. Adult blotched water snakes may reach up to 1 m (3 ft) in length. The females may give birth to anywhere between 8 to 30 live young. While the young can be found in small, shallow streams and inlets of larger bodies of water, the adults are generally found in any watercourse or major riparian corridors. Blotched water snakes will often anchor themselves on a stick or rock and prey on various fish and frogs.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe

The first banded bird in North America, the Eastern Phoebe can be found along the eastern half of the continent. It is a small flycatcher with a short, thin bill used for catching insects. While there is a small population that does not migrate, most Eastern phoebes winter far south and breed far north. Not only are they further north than most other flycatchers, but they are also one of the earliest returning migrants. Their raspy "phoebe" call contributes to their common name.

Phoebes are known to have a call similar to their name.

While insect are the majority of their diet, Eastern phoebes will also consume berries and fruits in the cooler months. They often nest around buildings and bridges, creating them with mud and moss. Eastern phoebes are generally monogamous, but the mated pairs do not spend much time together, and during non-breeding seasons, contact with other phoebes is rare. Unlike most birds, Eastern phoebes often reuse their nests and may renovate old American Robin or Barn Swallow nests for themselves.