There are many things I love about living in the hill country, but one of my favorite things is getting to see all the deer. We spread deer food all over our yard the other day and have now been enjoying watching the families of deer come into the yard every morning and evening. When I see deer in the front yard, I sneak around the house from the backyard with the camera. I have to be EXTREMELY quiet, so I don't scare them. If I am quiet and quick, I can snap a good picture of them while they are happily feasting on their deer chow. Deer are such beautiful animals, and getting to see them regularly has been a real treat. ~ Courtney
Jacob's Well Festival in Wimberley, Texas
October 2011
Learning about BATS!
Bats
We went to the Jacob's Well Festival in Wimberley, Texas on Labor Day weekend. While there, we found the Bat Conservation information booth. Bats are one of my favorite animals, so my friend and I couldn't wait to learn more. Bats, like most of our favorite animals, are misunderstood and are very important to our environment. I would like to continue learning about bats and discover ways to ensure their species stays safe.
We learned that one small bat can eat about 1000 mosquitoes and other insects in just one hour!
I think that bats are so cool, because they are the only flying mammal.
Bats are nocturnal so they are awake at night and sleep during the day.
"An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day."
~ Henry David Thoreau
Recent Adventures
Great music and room to dance at the festival!
~Erik
Mangoes, figs, dates, and other trees rely on bats for seed dispersal and pollination!
Chicago
Road
Trip
Douglas at the Gateway to the West
As a kid, my mom enjoyed reading about Jane Addams and the Hull House. The Hull House was our first stop when we reached Chicago.
Jane Addams received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.
Today the Hull House is still a place where people can gather to learn from one another, share food, and more. We happened to be at the Hull House on a Tuesday during a Rethink Soup day. The soup of the day included eating bugs! Pictured left is a guest who is trying a cricket on a crouton! It was her first cricket, and she said it wasn't bad at all. I'll take her word for it. ~Courtney
Checking into the beautiful hotel in downtown Chicago with my mom and grandmother.
Cleaning out and feeding the roaches after the nineteen hour drive.
I had to put the roaches in this cup while I cleaned their habitat. They didn't stay in the cup long - I'm fast at cleaning! ~Courtney
Follow us as we travel to Chicago to meet Rosie O'Donnell! We had sooo much fun and met tons of nice people -including many awesome people on Rosie O'Donnell's staff and ROSIE herself! Thank you, Rosie for inviting us!! ~Erik
In 2009 the Sears Tower had a name change. We visited the Willis Tower while staying in Chicago. This was my favorite place to tour. ~Erik
On the Sky Deck Ledge
Erik and I were expecting a van to pick us up at our hotel to take us to Rosie's studio. We couldn't believe the limo that pulled up was for us! This was our first limo ride, and it was soooo cool!
This is my dad loading bags holding two roach colonies, three tarantulas, three scorpions, and a bunch of super worms. Our limo driver was very friendly, and we enjoyed visiting with him on the short drive from the hotel to the studio. He has two daughters a little older than I am. ~Courtney
We were excited about meeting Rosie O'Donnell! ~Erik
Erik and I had a blast being on stage talking with Rosie about our critters. We loved Chicago, but needed to head back to Texas. Our dogs were waiting anxiously for us. We continued visiting historical places on the way home.
We told EVERYONE we met that we were going to be on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. We stopped here at the Missouri Route 66 Welcome Center. The ladies here helped us find some great spots to visit on our trip home.
One of the places we visited on our way home was Wilson's Creek Battlefield.
This house served as a hospital during the Civil War. John Ray lived here with his family when the war started. In August 1861 he watched a battle over Missouri from his front porch while family members hid in the cellar.
John Ray's cornfield where the battle took place. Brothers fought against brothers in this field and in the war.
There were so many birds at the Wilson Creek National Battlefield. We saw Eastern Bluebirds, Cardinals, and lots of Grackles. These Grackles played noisily in this field while we were exploring. ~Courtney
Our last stop was in Eufaula, Oklahoma, and we spent the night at a Bed & Breakfast called Falls Inn. It's just a couple of blocks from Lake Eufaula.
In Hillsboro, Texas, our 'check engine' light came on! We made it as far as Waco where we found a Honda dealership. We couldn't leave the animals in the car, because it was too cold. The nice people at Greg May Honda told us to put all the animals in their office where they'd be warm.
A couple of the ladies we met held Douglas (bearded dragon) and Reggie (blue-tongued skink).
Our van was ready in no time and we were back on the road.
Erik and I are so grateful that we were able to make the trip to Chicago! Being on the Rosie O'Donnell Show was a experience we will always remember. The breath-taking landscapes and friendly people we met made the trip extra special. ~Courtney
October 2011
Courtney and Erik
notsocreepycritters@gmail.com
San Antonio Reptile Show
November 2011
We bought this Dune Scorpion and these Giant Cave Roaches from Ben Quintana. We always buy our roaches and most of our scorpions from Captive Inverts.
Ben and Courtney
Don and Sally Shores
Snakes for sale at Shores Enuff Snakes table
Mollie and Courtney holding adult male ball python
Jack and Erik - Jack bought 'Aggie,' from Shores Enuff Snakes
December 2011
Natural Bridge Caverns
New Braunfels, Texas
Caverns named for this natural limestone bridge
Caverns were discovered in March 1960 by 4 college students from the University of St. Mary in San Antonio, Texas.
Orion Knox, Jr.
Preston Knodell
Al Brandt &
Joe Cantu
Clara Wuest owned the property and wanted to share the caverns with the public.
Treasures found when excavating entrance... arrowheads and spearheads dating from 5000 BC!
Bones from a black bear that became extinct 8000 years ago were also found! Visit the caverns to hear more stories about the discovery of the chambers and other treasures!
Caverns opened to public in July 1963.
Caverns are active and growing. Water flows and drips constantly adding to the many formations.
Stalactites grow from the ceiling, and stalagmites grow up from the ground. When they meet, columns and pillars are formed.
Stalactites, stalagmites, columns, pillars, soda straws growing and changing every second of every day without ever stopping!
Check back soon for our next adventure! ~Courtney and Erik
We have oils on our hands that can stop the growth of these formations. Special suits are worn when workers go into the cave to change the light bulbs and work on the caverns trails.
Bats left signs that they once occupied the caverns. The top photo shows where bats roosted thousands of years ago, and the bottom photo shows bat guano - poop.
Want to explore the caverns like the original discoverers? There's a tour for that! You get to wear special gear to protect the formations while you're exploring, too!
The formations all have unique names. Here are Fried Eggs and the Chandelier. The Chandelier is in the Castle of the White Giants room.
If you discovered caverns and had a chance to name rooms and formations, what names would you choose?
70 degrees in the caverns all year long! & it's humid and sometimes slippery. Comfy shoes are important when touring the caverns!
It takes about 100 years for the stalagmites and stalactites to grow about an inch! We're going back when we're 100 years old to see if these formations have met!
There's a living fern in one of the rooms. Spores hitched a ride on a worker's boots and deposited themselves near a light!
Courtney and I went on a group hike lead by Master Naturalist, Denise Schneider. We learned about native plants and how they were used by Native American's and early settlers. These plants provided food, fiber, medicine, tools, and more!
This is an AGARITA plant that blooms tiny yellow flowers February - April. Red berries follow the flowers attracting birds and small mammals. Pioneers and Native Americans used the berries to make jelly. The roots, berries and bark were used as various remedies to treat fever, wounds, upset stomachs, stiff joints, etc.
February 2012
February is a big month for Not So Creepy Critters. Come out and visit us on one of our adventures!
Erik and I will be holding our first book signing at Repticon in Ellis, Texas on February 18th and 19th. We will also be presenting both days.
On February 26th, we'll be at the 16th Annual Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, Texas. Erik and I will have display tables set up in the Children's Corner from 10 am until 2 pm.
If you live in San Antonio, Texas, watch Erik and me on Great Day San Antonio - February 29th at 9 am! We'll have several of our critters on the show with us!
~Courtney
Friedrich Wilderness Park San Antonio, Texas
BEAR GRASS was used
to weave baskets.
LICHEN is a combo of fungus and algae. It's food for wildlife & shelter for insects. Humans have many purposes for lichen - including dyeing fabric and baskets.
This trough was used by ranchers before this land became a wildlife park. The tree and leaning log provide easy access to wildlife wanting water.
Golden-cheeked Warbler arrive in Texas mid March and only nest in the 'Lone Star State.' They nest in Oak and Ashe Juniper trees. They use the bark and spider webs to make their nests. We're going to start watching for them to visit our yard. We're surrounded by Oak trees and Ashe Juniper. Sadly, Golden-cheeked Warblers are on the endangered list because of loss of habitat.
Courtney smelling Skunkbush leaves. We think it has a citrus scent and doesn't smell much like a skunk. It was used by early settlers to make beer. The root was boiled and used to stimulate appetite and cure other ailments. Animals don't like it, so landscapers plant Skunkbush in yards to deter deer and other wildlife.
This tree was visited by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a species of small woodpecker! They make holes in trees causing sap to ooze out. Insects are attracted to the sap, but they get stuck. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker returns to eat the insects. Other woodpeckers also enjoy the sap. "Yellow-bellied Sapsucker" is just fun to say!
Ashe Juniper or Mountain Cedar - Scent used in Irish Spring soap and Pine Sol disinfectant. It can be rubbed on skin to repel insects. We were told (but are not recommending this) by other hikers that they eat the berries in the fall to prevent cedar allergies in the spring.
This picture shows Mountain Laurel seed/bean and seed pods. The red bean is not edible. In fact, it's poisonous to some animals, including humans. The beans are used to make jewelry.
Mountain Laurels are evergreens that bloom in March. I can't wait - the flowers are heavily scented, and they're all around our house!
Sharp point - ancient needle!
This Stink Gourd is a member of the cucumber family and is eaten by wildlife and humans - until it fully ripens. Then the fruit is too bitter and STINKS! Stink Gourd is used to repel insects, but we were told the smell is too awful to use.
Buckeye Tree
Seed Pod
Buckeye seeds were used as marbles by Native American children. The seeds were also crushed and sprinkled on water to attract fish. The chemical in the seeds would stun the fish temporarily, making them easy to catch.
Our guide found cochineal (scale insect) living on cactus. Carminic acid occurs naturally in these critters and is used as a dye.
The dye was used by many ancient peoples for artwork and dyeing fabrics. It was also used for body paint.
Ever heard of the 'Redcoats?' British Soldiers wore red uniforms thanks to cochineal.
At one time, cochineal was Mexico's #2 export, second only to silver.
Erik and I signed up for 4 nature classes that will be held at Friedrich Park this spring. We will continue to add more photos and information as we learn.
~Courtney
