Blooming cacti!

Coryphantha macromeris blooming
at the Cactus Greenhouse at
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center in Fort Davis!

Cactus Candies from British Pathe (1930)

This time of year, our Chihuahuan Desert is treated to the glory of blooming cactus (and many of them can be seen at Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center), so it was especially delightful to find this collection of Texas-based video's in British Pathe's YouTube channel.

Enjoy this brief look from 1930 at the process of making cactus candy in Texas, in the Mexican tradition!  

Blooming this week in CDRI's Cactus Greenhouse

 

In bloom this week in Fort Davis' cactus greenhouse at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center!

Echinocereus primolanatus

Echinocereus dasayacanthus

Echinocereus chisoensis

#30DaysofBiking

We also chose to start our April #30DaysofBiking challenge
on the road to the CDRI Visitors Center! 

 

Spring Break Programs and Cactus Showcase at CDRI

Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center is a perfect place to include in your Spring Break plans. The Nature Center offers over 3 miles of hiking trails, a 20 acre botanical garden, and cactus and succulent greenhouse with over 200 species of cactus native to the Chihuahuan Desert.

The Nature Center will be celebrating Spring Break the week of March 10^th through the 15^th . Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a daily guided hike through Modesta Canyon at 10:00am and a guided tour of the botanical garden and cactus and succulent greenhouse with a special focus each day at 2pm.

• Monday, March 10^th – Ethnobotany with Susan Penney
• Tuesday, March 11^th – Desert Life (Kids Program) with Jessica Glasscock
• Wednesday, March 12^th – Desert Plant Adaptations with Leslie Spicer
• Thursday, March 13^th –The Chihuahuan Desert with Cynthia Griffin
• Friday, March 14^th – Desert Plant Adaptations with Leslie Spicer
• Saturday, March 15^th – Ethnobotany with Susan Penney

For questions or more information on upcoming events and programs please contact the Nature Center at  432.364.2499, at education@cdri.org , or visit our website at www.cdri.org . The Nature Center is open year-round, Monday-Saturday, 9 to 5; located 4 miles south of Fort Davis, on HWY 118.

Cactus Showcase!

The Nature Center will have a variety of cacti available for purchase March 10^th through the 15^th.

Over 50 species of cacti and succulents native to the Chihuahuan Desert region are typically offered during this event. Whether you’re starting a cactus collection, adding that special plant to your existing collection, or just looking for something new for your garden, you’re sure to find it here.  To preview the preliminary list of cacti and succulents click here.

The majority of CDRI's cacti are seed-grown in our greenhouse or from Sul Ross State University’s Native Plant Propagation Program in Alpine.

Spring is here: 36 species of blooming cacti, 5 species of butterflies spotted.....

Spring is creeping up on us at Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center.  Staffers tell us that yesterday, there were 36 species of cactus blooming in the Cactus Greenhouse!  This week, the verbena was blooming out in the garden, and five species of butterflies were spotted.

Mammilloydia candida

Echinocereus vividiflorus v. canus

Mammillaria gigantea

A couple of weeks ago, participants in the Backyard Bird Count at CDRI saw 15 species, including a cedar waxwing, which is fairly unusual for the area.  This week five species of butterflies were spotted:  Painted Lady, Sleepy Orange, Checkered White, Pipevine and the Two-tailed Swallowtail.  The resident fox and rabbits are busy in the garden, too.

Come on out and see spring arrive at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, just four miles outside Fort Davis!

Spring is Here in the Cactus Greenhouse at CDRI

All these photos were taken yesterday at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center's cactus greenhouse outside Fort Davis!  Come on out for a visit soon!

Check out CDRI's Facebook page, and as of late yesterday, a new Twitter account!

Tiny little cold snap: winter fun in Fort Davis

Why not take a wintry hike at Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens today?  We rarely get such frosty weather, and it is BEAUTIFUL out here today!

And at the back of the botanical garden, slip into the cactus greenhouse for a little warmth and color!  Seen there today:


Yesterday, we were up at McDonald Observatory yesterday for some meetings with science and nature folk of the Davis Mountains.  It was a rare foggy and chilly day, and the frost was everywhere! At 6,790 feet, it can get cold up there on wintry days.

Seen up at McDonald Observatory yesterday!

Yesterday's foggy approach to McDonald Observatory
Fortunately, road conditions were absolutely normal!

Our little cold snap will be over before we know it, but we'll enjoy it while it is here!

Tiny pink blooms

Caught blooming yesterday at Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center's Cactus Greenhouse:

The Nature Center's webpage on the cactus greenhouse is here.

Visitor should remember that this is a living collection of specimens, so please do honor the "rules" of the greenhouse:

1)  Please do not move the cactus
2)  Please do not remove the labels from the cactus pots
3)  The cactus in the greenhouse are not for sale

But please DO enjoy the variety, the textures, the shapes and the colors of the plants in the greenhouse at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center!

Are you on Twitter?  Follow the Center on @agavetalk!

Yesterday at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens

Pollinator Garden

Yesterday, we visited Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, as it was a beautiful fall day, with a crisp blue sky and a soft breeze.  We saw the muted colors of autumn in the pollinator garden (above), and the more vibrant color of the Mexican Buckeye (below).

Fall color on the Mexican Buckeye

We took a short hike along the Hummingbird and Butterfly Trail, and visited the Cactus Greenhouse.

Hummingbird and Butterfly Trail

What better way to celebrate fall in the Texas Mountains!!

So, what's the Center all about?  Want to learn more?  From the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center website:

"In 1978, the board and supporters of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute purchased 507 acres of rolling grassland, oak-studded hills, and shady canyon springs in the foothills of the Davis Mountains. Here, they established the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center. For over three decades, visitors have explored this tranquil and visually stunning site, taking the opportunity to reconnect with nature and discover the desert.
Highlights of the Nature Center include a desert botanical garden, 1400 sq. ft. cactus and succulent greenhouse, over 3 miles of hiking trails, and interpretive exhibits. Both formal and informal education programs for children and adults are offered throughout the year."

Fred Clark's Cactus Garden

Fred Clark's Cactus Garden, Photograph, 1940 - 1949; digital image,
http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth14009/
From the Collection of the Clark Hotel Museum,
digitized in the Portal to Texas History

The Clarks operated the Clark Hotel in Van Horn for many years, and the building is now the county historical museum.  Fred Clark sold cactus at the hotel, this appears to be his garden by his home.

Nine Seconds on Clayton's Overlook Trail, Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

One of the best places to go hiking in the Davis Mountains is Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens.  There are several great trails on the property, trails that will suit all hikers, from beginning to advanced.  Kids 12 and under can visit the Center for free; adult admission is just $6. 

The video above shows Clayton's Overlook Trail, which is a terrific hiking experience.  At the top of the trail is a viewing platform, offering a 360 degree vista and interpretive panels showing the history and geology of the entire Davis Mountains.

Want something easier?  How about a stroll through the botanical garden or a visit to the cactus greenhouse?

Hiking at CDRI, with thanks to Stonewear Designs
We're wearing their Liberty Skort and Echo Top
on the Modesta Canyon Trail

Flowers for our Moms

Prickly Pear, blooming in the region in time for Mother's Day!

Flowers for May Day!

Rainbow cactus blossom from the Cactus Greenhouse
at Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center
and Botanical Gardens

Prickly Pear blossom from near Van Horn

Taken recently just north of Terlingua and Big Bend
National Park!

April blooms at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

Check out the cactus greenhouse at CDRI just outside Fort Davis  for plenty of beauty and variety.  And coming up...their native plant sale!

Plant Sale
April 26 & 27, 2013

April 26, Members Night (4 to 7 p.m.)

April 27, Public Sale (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Take a closer look!

When you're traveling, you need to keep your eyes open for some surprises! 

 

We visited this rock house ruin in
Big Bend Ranch State Park
 

Look closer!

A wonderful rainbow cactus (oh, take another look...there
are TWO of them!)

The Reward for Taking a Closer Look

Beautiful landscape in Big Bend Ranch State Park

On our recent trip to Big Bend Ranch State Park, we found ourselves in a beautiful landscape right near the Rio Grande.  See those blue mountains in the background?  Those are in Mexico.  And while it is tempting to look as FAR away in the landscape you can, there are rewards for taking a closer look. See where we're going?

A little Rainbow Cactus sits atop the rock!

 

 

 

Travel Spotlight!

Now you can join the Texas Mountain Trail as a member! 

Great benefits are available for our members; join here!



Cactus Greenhouse at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

There's always something blooming at the Cactus Greenhouse at the Chihuahuan Nature Center and Botanical Gardens!   They're open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and located four miles south of Fort Davis on Texas Highway 118.  The Center also has hiking trails and a great gift shop!  Plan to visit them soon!