All hiking trails and major roads are closed due to flooding, including Wildlife Drive. The Visitor Center is open, and the Butterfly Garden is beautiful! Second Saturday Presentations, Butterfly Garden Walks and Nature'Ology will be held as scheduled.
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The World’s Happiest, Slightly Blurry Raccoon: How I Connected with Grand #6 Through Nature and an Old, Forgotten Camera By Patricia Crain, TMN
I have nine grandchildren, and connecting with them has been a struggle. I have no idea what they’re into—whatever it is, it’s nothing like what I was doing at their age. I had a garden hose and a wagon for my frog collection, a whole city block of children to play with, and one very strict rule: race home when the streetlights turned on. My Mom was clever and wise. She would throw us out after breakfast: “Grandma is coming today! You need to make the welcome signs and greet her when she arrives!” She’d have everything set up outside—poster boards, markers, paint, streamers, you name it. If we came in for a glass of water, she would fuss: “You're going to miss Grandma!” There were brooms, buckets, and the stench of ammonia everywhere in that house. Grandma didn’t show up until dinnertime. We had a blast. I didn’t figure her out until I had kids of my own! On rainy days, she lined our shoes with repurposed bread bags to keep our feet dry, and we were out there—racing sailboats made from egg crates in the stream that formed along the curb. We were never concerned with the heavy city traffic on our street; drivers waved and smiled as they carefully rolled by. Every fall, Mom hosted the annual chestnut-collection competition for what seemed like every kid in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was hard work, with all of us competing to be the Chestnut Champion of the Year. There was no title for second place, no such thing as a "participation award." I either won the title or strategized for the following year—mostly scheming to sabotage my brothers, but that's beside the point. |
Mom’s strategies wouldn’t work with today’s kids. A sign for Grandma is indoors, a PowerPoint with someone else’s clip art. If you ask a kid how many chestnuts would fill a bushel, they won’t grab a bucket and start digging in the dirt—they’ll ask Siri, and accept her answer as if it were the Word of God. Today's children spend less time outside, immersed in nature, than any generation in human history. This problem is becoming increasingly difficult to remedy, as natural spaces—free of traffic and city noise—become harder to find. I volunteer for refuge school and youth group field trips, and a comment I have often heard breaks by heart: “We have never walked on a dirt trail before.” The first time I heard that comment--from a student and their parent--I didn’t believe it. I do now: trails in city parks are concrete, everything is getting paved. Children hardly ever play in the dirt anymore, and they’re losing touch with nature.
Grand #8: Luna loves "Mud Preschool"—just mud, toys, and not much else. Many European preschools, especially in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, include Waldtage—a full day each week spent outside, in natural spaces, regardless of the weather. | Sponsor the Friends With Membership Gardening, Mowing and Work Crew Visitor Center Volunteers Needed! Note: Tram tours and the Little Sit are cancelled due to flooding Subscribe to Our Monthly Featherless Flyer |
Solving this problem takes finesse—marching the children blindly into the forest won't work. Mom knew: children need a mission with an end goal. It doesn’t matter what the mission is, or even if they complete the mission, they just need to have one. The fun is in the preparation, the hunt for the goal, not the goal itself. Unfortunately, I did not figure this out until Grand #6: 11-year-old Trey, and we are having a blast!
In the beginning, I tried to engage the Grands with Hagerman Tram Tours. Though wonderful, the tours are suited for adults. The children were bored, their faces buried in their phones. Eventually I gave up trying to distract them from their devices: unplugging my router and lying about an “outage” just wasn’t working anymore. Instead, I began including their devices in our missions by loading their phones with free birding apps and nature resources. We started with Merlin and SEEK.
Trey was fascinated by all the bird photos and information on the Merlin app; he was listening to the songs of birds from all over the country. I soon realized he needed a focus. Though an American Bittern has a really cool song, it’s very unlikely Trey would ever hear one in the wild. We needed something to look for, a goal with a vague possibility of success. I turned to
Jack Chiles and the census team: every Tuesday they conduct an in-depth bird count and survey of this entire refuge. That list is a gold mine for us! Every Wednesday morning I print out Jack’s field notes and the complete bird census list from the day before. “Here Trey, listen to these bird songs, learn what they sound like. Jack saw 17 White-faced Ibis at the entrance to Plover Pad! They’re here right now, let's go find them!” Whether we find them or not doesn’t matter, we’ll have a blast looking, and we always find something.
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Eastern Tiger Swallowtail by Trey |
The SEEK plant identification App is important, too. After choosing a bird from the census list, we look it up on Merlin. We’ll learn about its range, habitat and diet: which native plants to look for using the SEEK app. Finding the desired habitat for our chosen creature is a lot of fun, too. Sometimes Trey will ask the helpful Nature Nook volunteer for advice on where to find a certain habitat. I know this refuge like the back of my hand, but I stay silent: better for Trey to figure it out for himself.
Trey and I often begin our adventures before sunrise, at Picnic Pond: the perfect place to find deer coming in for a drink. Photo by Murali Hanabe. Thankfully, the US Fish and Wildlife service and the original creators of this website have provided a wealth of information about wildlife on this refuge, everything needed for an excellent creature-finding goal. Check out the Flaura and Fauna menu choice on this very page. There are informational guides for wildflowers, birds, mammals, reptiles, etc. You will find entire pages of beautiful, named photos of butterflies and dragonflies, curtesy of Hagerman’s talented butterfly expert and photographer extraordinaire: Laurie Sheppard. Another resource: trained garden docents at a Hagerman Butterfly Garden Walk (the next one is Saturday, June 14th, 2025). The Friends of Hagerman, with their mission of environmental education, offer a wealth of information and, more importantly, realistic goals for entire days of joyful explorations!
The best tool for engaging with my grandson through nature turned out to be a twenty-year-old digital camera, discovered during spring cleaning a few years ago at the bottom of a closet. It still worked! This discovery has been life-changing for Trey and has improved our relationship tremendously. The autofocus digital camera, paired with a zoom lens and a monopod to keep it steady, works perfectly for him. He has a much easier time focusing on specimens with the camera—he's never been great with binoculars. Thank goodness it has a digital menu—Trey was all over it! He learned quickly and took decent, though slightly blurry, photos on our very first day out! |
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Trey snapping this photo of a Blue-faced Meadowhawk Dragonfly |
These days, a big part of our goal is always to replace my Facebook profile pic. I have been a Lotus Flower, an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, a Blue-faced Meadowhawk Dragonfly and many others. I refuse to be any species that isn’t native. We use our phone apps and wildlife guides to confirm our IDs and thoroughly research our subjects. My favorite profile pic, without a doubt, is the very first photo Trey ever took. I will never forget that moment. We had just arrived at the south entrance on Bennet Lane. We hadn’t yet discovered all the resources—or the importance of having goals. Honestly, I had no idea what we were going to do. I was just driving around, looking for anything, when suddenly: "Granny! Stop the car! Go back! A little more... stop!" Click, click, click, click—a million clicks of a raccoon poking his head out of a tree cavity. Trey had already figured out how to balance the camera perfectly on the open car window, using the monopod for support on the floorboard. |
| That entire day Trey was in control, and I was more than happy to be his chauffeur. I took him wherever he wanted to go; I dutifully followed his orders as we drove around searching for the perfect photo. For Trey, being in control all day was a rare and exciting treat. Over time, and after many amazing days in nature, a truly beautiful thing happened: his confidence grew. He started deciding what to find and where to find it, and he was confident that we would succeed. His confidence in his photography skills also soared: instead of a million clicks, it was one—maybe two—"I got it, Granny, let's go." |
When introducing children to nature, preparation is key: comfort is crucial for success. I recommend a backpack full of snacks and plenty of water. If the kids aren’t enjoying themselves, or if they are too hot, cold, wet or hungry, with no way to fix it, abort the mission. Try again a different day. Remember, this is a wildlife refuge where all native species are protected—including Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy) and Crotalus horridus (the Timber Rattlesnake). Mud boots are the safest; sneakers are fine on our nicely mowed trails, but please—no sandals or flip-flops. Teach the children to stay aware and stick to the trail. Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, hats, long pants, and a picnic—there’s no food for sale at the refuge, but there is a water bottle refill station. When the kids find something interesting, snap a photo and put it back where it belongs. Remember: take only pictures, leave only footprints. Trey and I are looking forward to June 21st: the Photo Club’s very first Youth Photography Clinic. Experienced nature photographers will cover the basics, help with handling gear, assist with equipment, and answer any questions. The clinic will include a photo shoot of the Visitor Center patio and the Butterfly Garden, and all photos taken during the clinic will be eligible for the September Photo Contest. The clinic is free, we hope you will join us (registration is required.) |
Photos by Trey
So, get the kids outside and have fun exploring the refuge! The flood will be over soon, and I hope to see you out there. You’ll know me when you see me—I’m the world’s happiest, slightly blurry raccoon!
Refuge Update:
The lake level is lowering and we have got the Goode Day Use Area and associated Hallers Haven Trail back open. The majority of the trail is still flooded. Follow the 10 minute route below to get there from the visitor center. The fishing access side of the area is still flooded so we have placed a barricade on the road there but visitors are still welcome to park at the barricade and walk down to fish.
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All Hands On Deck: Flood Cleanup Thank you to all the folks who have already started the cleanup from the flood. There is much to do, and we need your help! Contact Us to see how you (or your scout group) could help! |
Photos by Julie Custer-Gregg More Amazing Nature Photos taken at the refuge (Facebook account required.) |
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Upcoming Activities:
The Friends of Hagerman is Hosting 9 Family Friendly Events in June! Donate to help fund programs like these! |
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Butterfly Garden Walks
Registration is not necessary |
Pipevine Swallowtail (right) by Laurie Sheppard |
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Birding with Jack: The Weekly Bird Census
Left to Right: Mike Petrick, Nancy Riggs, Jack Chiles and Terry Goode Each Tuesday a team of experienced birders, including Master Naturalist Jack Chiles, traverse 35 miles of refuge roads and hiking trails, documenting every bird they encounter. This Bird Census is reported to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology for use in research, and each week we will bring you a link to their actual bird count, and a summary of their adventures. Watch for the census results every Tuesday evening: Bird Census Results Fix Birding with Jack bwj |
Fix COPY Photo club NEXT and Photo club gadget details then delete this gadget pc |
Nature'Ology Fix Nature'Ology ------DON"T DELETE BELOW THIS------------------------------------------------------- |
Join Cindy Steele for: The Refuge Rocks! Programs for Children Future events (Registration Required)
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| Puddles' Craft Corner By Cindy Steele, Master Naturalist |
Continue the Lesson With Full Instructions and other Nature Crafts with Puddles
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Junior Ranger Program
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| The Junior Ranger Pledge As a Junior Ranger at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, I pledge to protect outdoor creatures small, big and huge. To keep the water, air and land clean. To make enjoying nature a routine. I will share my new skills with family and friends. When people and nature work together, everybody wins! |
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Sponsors Enable the Friends to…
Join Today! Memberships available for $10 |
Come, Take a Tour on the Wildlife Explorer! Come join us for a ride on the Wildlife Explorer! Our new and beautiful tram is available for ninety-minute tours of Hagerman every Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. Our tours are as varied as our drivers. Each tram driver has her/his approach to the tour: you may learn about wildlife, birds, habitat, refuge history, photography, you name it! To paraphrase, “a Wildlife Explorer tour at Hagerman is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” But you know it’s going to be good! Come see us! Lots of stops for bird-watching and photography. |
Register for a Tram Tour Today! |
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Photo by Cathy Van Bebber | Sunrise at the Little Sit by Laurie Sheppard |
Meet Jack and the Bird Census Team and learn how to identify the birds of North Texas while enjoying the beautiful sunrise over Lake Texoma! Modeled after Cornell's national "Big Sit" event, a group of dedicated birders invite you to join them at sunrise to conduct a bird count as multiple species fly to the water and the surrounding land to feed. Leaders will bring spotting scopes and will provide tips for identification of the many species you will see. This event lasts a couple of hours, but all are welcome to come and go as they please. Participants are advised to bring a chair, binoculars and water. The First Saturday of every month, beginning 30 minutes before sunrise. |
Location: H Pad, Sadler, Texas 76264 (H Pad is in Sadler, but it is part of the refuge) GPS Coordinates: 33.734961, -96.780582
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Early Bird Walk with Jack Chiles Master Naturalist Jack Chiles will lead our Early Birding event, weather permitting. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Meet at the Visitor Center and return in time for the Second Saturday program.
Please Register (Optional) so we may inform you via email of unforseen changes/cancellations. |
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Do You Like to Work Outside? The Refuge Needs You! |
It takes a lot of people to have a beautiful garden! The Wednesday Garden Team Love to work with native plants and meet other gardeners? Come and help us add plants, weed and mulch our beautiful butterfly garden. Garden Team volunteers get first dibs on thinned native plants as well as access to seeds and cuttings for propagation. Gardeners meet on most Wednesdays, but times vary. Contact Us to subscribe to the volunteer garden team weekly email. Provide own tools and gloves. Minimum age 18, or 16 if accompanied by parent/volunteer. |
Mowing and Refuge Beautification: The Work Crew Do you enjoy working outside, mowing, sprucing up hiking trails, trimming and removing brush and general cleanup? Show your love for nature by joining the Outdoor Crew at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. Outdoor Crew volunteers meet on the First Tuesday and Fourth Saturday of every month. Contact Us for exact times, dates and other details about joining the volunteer Work Crew. Scouts welcome! |
Visitor Center Volunteers Needed! |
Do you enjoy meeting all kinds of people from all over the world, and like-minded people in our area? If yes, consider joining our team of Visitor Center Volunteers. You will greet refuge guests, distribute maps and other refuge information, and make sales in the gift shop. Shifts available every day of the week: Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 12:30 PM and 12:30 to 4:00 PM, Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Training is provided. Contact Us if interested. |
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FIX Contributers |
| Thank You To Our Contributors: Jack Chiles, TMN, Julie Custer-Gregg, Cindy Steele, TMN, Pam Flaming, TMN, Pam Redall-Bass Refuge Manager: Kathy Whaley Visitor Services Manager: Spencer Beard Editors: Patricia Crain, Laurie SheppardFriends of Hagerman NWR Foundation 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092 Phone: 903-786-2826 Join us on Facebook: |
Search for any word--do not use quotes for phrases |
6465 Refuge Road Sherman, TX 75092
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Kroger: Stop by the customer service desk at Kroger and link your Kroger Card to the Friends of Hagerman: the Friends will get rewards for every dollar you spend, at no cost to you.
Please add info@friendsofhagerman.org to your contacts to ensure delivery of registration confirmations, account information and the Featherless Flyer
See you at the refuge!