Story and photos by Anita Westervelt, Texas Master Naturalist Lichens are unique organisms that have been around for about 400 million years. They are not plants, nor mosses. Lichens, defined biologically, are a complex life form that is a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) partnership of two separate organisms: a fungus and an alga. Lichens do not…

Story and photos by Anita Westervelt Ever wonder what it’s like to be an insect? Let’s begin at the break of dawn, that diaphanous time when the earth is pitch black with but a hint of translucent pink on the horizon. Just before this magical time, butterflies, moths, cicadas and other winged creatures begin breaking…

Story and photos by Anita Westervelt, Texas Master Naturalist A yellow garden is full of sunshine — and butterflies, bees and hummingbirds! An important aspect of a butterfly garden is to have something blooming year-round so butterflies visit longer. Color variety is important, too, but let’s hear it for the yellows. Four native, nectar-rich, butterfly-attracting…