Parkhill Prairie: A Quiet Nature Escape Near Dallas

Artbygordon photograph- this is a view from across the pond - 

North of Farmersville Texas the old quaint neighborhoods fade into endless farm roads. Miles of empty space, small farms and cattle; it's a wonderful place to disappear.

I heard about Parkhill Prairie when I took a prairie tour at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center on their first Saturday open house. The first few times I visited, it was cool and windy and beautifully quiet.

BEFORE YOU GO:

Parkhill Prairie: Co Road 668, Blue Ridge, Texas 75424

 Parkhill prairie is a 436-acre native plant preserve near Blue Ridge Texas, in northeast Collin County.

1. All hikes, including a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail are mild but you are a bit off the beaten path-bring water, comfortable shoes and make sure your phone is charged.
2. There is a small pond and picnic benches - make sure you carry out your trash as the small cans don't seem to keep the trash contained quiet well enough from my experience.
3. I have seen ticks, not too many but act accordingly.
4. Be careful not to walk on the native plants, there are milkweeds and other plants that are integral  in supporting wildlilfe.
5. There are large area picnic shelters  with cook pits
6. Open from sunrise to sundown

For the Artist:

1. Great places to paint from the small pond to the wide open areas of the prairie.
2. Great place for Plein Air painting.

For Nature:

1. Wildflowers include Prairie Parsley, Wild Petunia, Indian Paintbrush, Winecup, Prairie Clover, Meadow Pinks, Purple Coneflower, Mexican Hat, Gay Feather, Azur Sage, Golden Rod and Asters-from Collin County  Parks and Open Spaces-website
2. I have personally seen redtail hawks, black vultures, scissor-tailed flycatchers and so many more native and migrating species of birds.

Hawks soared in a deep blue sky and crows called from distant perches against a backdrop of golden grasses that swayed adding to a symphony of natural sounds. I would sit on the stone wall and watch silently the distant hills and golden prairies, I had found my peaceful oasis.

Today was the first time I was treated to  green grasses and gardens of wildflowers, a perfect hot day, late spring. No cars, no people, just an explorer in my secret garden.

The crows have been replaced with the buzz of red-winged blackbirds and rich melodic notes of Dickcissel. The wind rushed through the willows and dragonflies buzzed about taunting me to catch a glimpse of their various colors, shapes and sizes.

It stirred so many memories as I walked along the edge of the several small ponds where cricket frogs and bullfrogs dashed into the shallows. My brother and I would always walk along streams looking for snakes, frogs and turtles, we were young explorers, naturalists.

Now I don't only notice the animals, it's the plants that demand my attention. Milkweed of several different species sway along with small mimosa like plants with pink fuzzy flowers, most I recognize, some are new and intriguing.

Since I've been collecting plants and wildlife gardening, my knowledge of different species has grown. I remember a trip to Tuscon where suddenly a whole new world of interest I became aware of.

I walked around several ponds, taking notes of the water for future painting, collecting notes on wildflowers and wild birds, it is my secret place and with every turn the willows blend into a green rich pasture.

The shade of the willows remind me of New Jersey, we had several giant willows where the orioles would nest in summer. The cool breeze across the prairie made the heat more comfortable and I enjoyed an afternoon of peace lost in Nature.

I will go back soon, by than perhaps summer guests will have picnics or barbecues but for now, it was all mine, an oasis to escape everything. Mission accomplished.