Nature Notes | The Woodlands Outdoor Pulse

Meet the mythical mantis flies that live in our backyard in southeast Texas. The mantis fly (family Mantispidae), also known as a mantidfly, is a unique predatory insect that looks like a cross between a praying mantis and a lacewing or wasp, though it is not closely related to any of them. Learn more at woodlandsoutdoorpulse.beehiiv.com.

While astronomical summer is not officially over, school has started and we’re starting to prepare for the season changing. Fall is a good time to start thinking about what you want growing in your yard next spring. If you're considering adding native plants, the first step doesn't need to be choosing a plant. Start by looking at your yard.

The right native plant is one that fits the conditions you already have—how much sun the area receives, how wet or dry the soil stays, how much space is available, and how much maintenance you're willing to do.

Adding native plants to your yard can bring more birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife within easy reach of your everyday life, making them easier to notice and observe. A garden planted with wildlife in mind can turn an ordinary morning outside into a chance to discover something new, bringing a little more wonder and “wow” to each day.

See you on the pathways.

Meet the katydid, a master of camouflage and nighttime communication found throughout The Woodlands.

From acorns to towering canopies, discover why oaks are so important to our local ecosystem. If there is one group of trees that defines the landscape of The Woodlands, it's the oaks (Quercus). From towering trees lining our trails to sprawling live oaks shading neighborhood parks, they are among the most recognizable—and most ecologically important—plants in Southeast Texas. Read more at woodlandsoutdoorpulse.beehiiv.com.

Discover the fascinating life cycle, unique calls, and important ecological role of cicadas in The Woodlands, Texas. Read the full article at woodlandsoutdoorpulse.beehiiv.com

A remarkable backyard discovery and the fascinating science behind one of North America's largest moths.

woodlandsoutdoorpulse.beehiiv.com

Discover the colorful imperial moth caterpillar hiding in The Woodlands and the incredible life cycle that follows.

woodlandsoutdoorpulse.beehiiv.com

I hope your family had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. Ours was filled with many of the traditions that make summer in The Woodlands feel special, but one unexpected moment has stayed with me more than anything else we did.

On Saturday, we joined hundreds of neighbors for the 50th Annual South County Fourth of July Parade as it wound through Market Street and The Woodlands Town Center. There were marching bands, decorated floats, vintage cars, patriotic music, and enough candy and trinkets to keep our kids smiling all morning.

As we were walking back to the car we asked the kids what they’re favorite part was.

Their answer surprised us.

"The live bald eagle."

Not the biggest float. Not the fire trucks. Not the candy.

The eagle.

For a few brief moments, this magnificent bird captured the attention of children who spend most of their days chasing frogs, climbing trees, and turning over logs in search of bugs. There was something about seeing America's national bird up close that made the holiday feel a little more real.

That conversation reminded me that while the Fourth of July is often celebrated with flags and fireworks, it's also a chance to appreciate the places, wildlife, and landscapes that make our country unique. Few animals tell that story better than the bald eagle.

Even more remarkable is that you don't have to travel far to find one. Right here in The Woodlands, a pair of bald eagles has quietly returned to the same nesting territory near Lake Woodlands for more than two decades, raising generation after generation of young within sight of busy roads, neighborhoods, and one of our community's busiest gathering places.

The bald eagle's comeback is one of the greatest conservation success stories in American history. Within my lifetime, the species had nearly disappeared from the lower 48 states. Today, thanks to decades of conservation and habitat protection, these incredible birds once again soar over lakes and forests across the country—including our own backyard.

This week, as the flags come down and the last of the sparklers are swept away, I hope you'll keep one part of the holiday spirit alive by looking up. Whether you're walking around Lake Woodlands, paddling a kayak, or simply driving across town, you never know when you might catch sight of one of these remarkable birds.

Sometimes the best reminder of what makes a place special isn't found in a celebration. It's already living here, quietly soaring overhead.

See you on the pathways.

Sometimes all it takes is learning the name of something to start seeing it everywhere.

This week, I hope that happens with Campsis radicans, commonly known as Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine, or Hummingbird Vine. Once you know what you're looking for, I have a feeling you'll begin spotting its fiery orange blooms all across The Woodlands. They'll be climbing old fences along neighborhood trails, reaching into the edges of the forest, scrambling up utility poles, and spilling over roadside trees.

It's one of my favorite parts of learning about nature. The landscape doesn't actually change—we do. A plant that was once just a splash of orange in your peripheral vision suddenly becomes a familiar neighbor with a story to tell. Before long, your kids are the first ones pointing it out from the back seat: "There's another trumpet creeper!"

That's one of the quiet goals of The Woodlands Outdoor Pulse. Not just to identify the plants and animals around us, but to help us build a deeper relationship with the place we call home. Every new species we learn becomes another thread connecting us to the forests, parks, and neighborhoods we share.

So this week, keep an eye out for those bright orange trumpets. My guess is that once you notice the first one, you'll spend the rest of the summer wondering how you ever missed them.

See you on the pathways.

Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera)

Most of us picture turtles as slow-moving animals protected by a hard, domed shell. Softshell turtles challenge that image. Their shells are flattened, flexible, and covered by leathery skin rather than the hard keratin scutes found on most turtles. The result is a turtle built less like a tank and more like a stealth fighter. Their streamlined bodies allow them to swim quickly, bury themselves in sand or mud, and slip through the water with surprising speed.