Chris Doffitt, field botanist for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, who spoke about the Natural Areas Registry Program at our Tuesday evening First Quarter Members’ meeting, would be very happy to hear from any of us or our friends who might need more information about the program. Here’s his contact info:
Telephone: 318-487-5885, ext. 3424
Email: chris.doffitt@la.gov
“Bluestem” is the name of Registry Program’s newsletter. An archive of issues is available online.
Those of you who could not attend missed an excellent presentation. Chris has offered and we will call on him again. Thanks, Chris.
We had an excellent meeting Tuesday evening. Many thanks to Chris Doffitt of LDWF, our speaker, and everyone who came out. I came home very aware that I had promised many blog posts about a variety of things, and this is the first of those.
Sabine NWR (Photo by Bette Kauffman)
In its own words, Union (Parish) Museum of Art and History “will come roaring to life with its next exhibit, ‘Wild!‘ featuring wildlife art.” The exhibit will open January 31. The works of nine regional artists will be displayed, as well as art by local students.
Our own Charles Paxton, who did not tell us he is also an artist! will screen his new video featuring North Louisiana wildlife. Charles, you must be sure to let us know exactly when the screening will take place!
The Union Museum is located at 116 N. Main St. in Farmerville. The “Wild!” exhibit will remain up until March 17. Visit the Museums website or Facebook page for more information.
Special note: My photo with this post is for visual interest only. It is not part of the exhibit.
As promised, here is our agenda for Tuesday’s meeting (Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m., Black Bayou Visitor Center):
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Chris Doffitt, LDWF: Louisiana’s Natural Areas Registry Program; followed by Q&A.
7:30 p.m. Business Meeting
Introduction of Board of Directors & Officers; Where we are in forming our organization.
Treasurer’s Report
LMNA Grant status; applying for 501(c)(3).
Membership & Certification Requirements; Roselie and Stephanie will take memberships at the end of the meeting. (Please note: Our By-Laws have been linked to the “About” page of this website.)
Rendezvous 2018 – April 6-8, Camp Hardtner, Pollock, La.
Upcoming Events:
Nova Clarke, Ranger – Special events at Black Bayou NWR.
FOBB? – Upcoming FOBB events.
Others?
Our 2018 Meeting Dates: April 3, July 10, Oct. 2 – In lieu of an April meeting, we might want to participate in the ULM Biology programs Bio Blitz–if you are interested.
Although it is just a few miles south of where I live, I have neglected becoming familiar with Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area. On New Year’s Day, our LMN-NE Board Member and Treasurer Stephanie Herrmann mentioned First Day Hike on Facebook. I decided immediately to take up the challenge and wanted to go somewhere close to home, in part because it was sooooo cold. Brrrrr. Russell Sage, here I come!
The beauty of ice on a mudhole! How often do we get to see that? (Photo by Bette Kauffman)
In fact, I learned that Russell Sage is well worth many more visits. I walked down just one ATV trail–the WMA is set up primarily for hunters. So be it. I wore my hunter orange vest! And I was there for just two hours, moving slowly. Nevertheless, in the dead of winter, I enjoyed what I saw and will go back.
Palmetto (Sabal)–the first thing in the forest to go green. (Photo by Bette Kauffman)
I already shared a bunch of photos in our Facebook group, including those of my encounter with a raccoon. They aren’t quite good enough for the blog. In my excitement, I couldn’t get my most high-powered lens focused! But I always find beauty, and this outing was no exception.
I saw LOTS of birds, but the only decent shot I got is below. Many thanks to Board member Jeff Barnhill for assistance in identifying the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).
BTW, First Day Hikes is a real thing. Next year, I hope LMN-NE will have one of its own!
White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) (Photo by Bette Kauffman)
Our First Quarter 2018 meeting is just around the corner:
January 9, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Black Bayou NWR Visitor Center
We will have a guest speaker: Chris Doffitt of Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries will talk with us about Lousiana’s Natural Areas Registry program.
After Chris’ presentation and discussion, we will have a half hour meeting. I’ll publish an agenda next week. All are welcome to participate in the meeting, but only dues-paying members may vote–should we need to vote on anything.
Great Blue Heron, Tensas NWR (photo by Bette Kauffman)
And why a photo of a Great Blue Heron in the middle of this post? Last week I needed to go to St. Joseph one day, so I went down Hwy 425, turned east on Hwy 4, and drove up the Fina Road Access into the south end of Tensas NWR. Just as I approached a bridge over the Tensas River, I noticed a blue heron on the other side of the road at the edge of the woods.
There was a little space to pull over on the approach to the bridge, so I did, and carefully lowered my window to make a few shots. The bird just stood there and looked at me, so I decided to get out of my car. I slowly, carefully opened the door and stood up, at which point the bird hobbled and flopped into the woods.
Clearly, the bird was injured and could not fly. It was heartbreaking to see. Not wanting to stress the bird more than I already had, I did not attempt to follow.
But… should I have called Wildlife & Fisheries? In general, what should we do, if anything, when we see injured wildlife? I intend to ask Chris to talk about that at our meeting.
Louisiana Master Naturalists - Northeast 