Perfect weather for the LBJ National Grasslands
Weather was sooooo nice for exploring the grasslands today! Found lots of cool stuff.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29222Bcrop2Bsunrise2Bhome.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
Left the house by 7:30am
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29492Bunk2Bsmall2Bmushroom2Bwood2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
A dandy group of small mushrooms. They were a bit wet to the feel and the stem was almost translucent.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29592Bturkeytail2Bshelf2Bmushroom2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
Shelf mushroom (Polypore)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29632Bunk2Bsmall2Bmushroom2Bwood2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29622Bunk2Bsmall2Bmushroom2Bwood2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
This small shelf type mushroom reminds me of shell
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29702Bturkeytail2Bshelf2Bmushroom2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Turkeytail polypore
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29802Bunk2Bred2Bcap2Byellow2Bstem2Bpores2Bshort2Bstem2Bbruises2Bbluish2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Short and stubby bolete mushroom.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29792Bunk2Bred2Bcap2Byellow2Bstem2Bpores2Bshort2Bstem2Bbruises2Bbluish2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
It bruised blue-green.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29842Bmushroom.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
Had a rough life mushroom
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30012Bred2Bcap2Byellow2Bstem2Bpores2Bbruises2Bblue2Bgreen2Bmushroom2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Seems to be lot of these bolete mushrooms popping up
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29862Borange2Bred2Byellow2Bbolete2Bmushroom2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Its insides are pretty too.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3020.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
These are only about 1/2 inch tall. Bright orange yellow fungus
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30252Bearthstar2Bfungus2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Earthstar (Geastrum genus) It has a rough fruitbody( the whitish ball)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30082Bearthstar2Bfungus2Bunit2B31.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
This might be Geastrum fimbriatum but I don’t know for sure because I did not collect it. So another cool earthstar!
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30602B2Bunk2Bmushroom2Bgoblet2Bshaped2Bpores2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
A funnel shaped mushroom with pores
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30582B2Bunk2Bmushroom2Bgoblet2Bshaped2Bpores2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Closeup
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30902Bbright2Byellow2Bon2Bstem2Band2Bgills2Bfungus2Bbase2Bof2Btree2Bsoil2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
This mushroom was nestled in at the base of a tree root.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30872Bbright2Byellow2Bon2Bstem2Band2Bgills2Bfungus2Bbase2Bof2Btree2Bsoil2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
View up and under
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30852Bbright2Byellow2Bon2Bstem2Band2Bgills2Bfungus2Bbase2Bof2Btree2Bsoil2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Even the inside was yellow. Notice the “skin” was yellow too.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30952Bsalmon2Bcolor2Bclub-like2Bfungus2Bdead2Bwood2Bunit2B31.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
These little salmon colored fungus guys were so cute. Only about 1/2 inch tall on dead wood
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_31052Bshelf2Bfungus.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
I loved the white margins on this shelf polypore
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_31202Bgills2Bwhite2Bred2Band2Bwhite2Bupturned2Bcap2Bmushroom2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
The orange against the white was just brilliant!
So as you can see, a lot of fungus was seen today!
But wait there is more as they say 😉
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29272Bunk2Bgrasshopper2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
This Melanoplus grasshopper was really hidden
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29542Bunk2Bgrasshopper2Byellow2Btibia2Bunit2B31.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
Closeup
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30172Bunk2Bexuviae2Binsect2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Unknown insect exuviae
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30942Bcicada2Bexuviae.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Cicada exuviae
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30332Bcrop2B2B2Btiny2Binsect2Belephantopus2Bcarolinianus2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?w=320&ssl=1)
This weird nymph was found on the Leafy Elephantopus (Elephantopus carolinianus)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30432Btiny2Binsect2Belephantopus2Bcarolinianus2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Leafy Elephantopus (Elephantopus carolinianus) flower is common in wet areas. I usually find it near creek banks on the grasslands.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30692BSmallanthus2Buvedalia2BHairy2BLeafcup2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30632BSmallanthus2Buvedalia2BHairy2BLeafcup2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30672BSmallanthus2Buvedalia2BHairy2BLeafcup2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30682BSmallanthus2Buvedalia2BHairy2BLeafcup2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
The Hairy Leafcup (Smallanthus uvedalia) is a new plant for the grasslands. A nice find!
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_31222BEryngo2Bcrop.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
The ever gorgeous Eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_31142Bcrop2Binsect2Bthat2Bmade2Btunnel2Bin2Bsandstone2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
This insect was very interesting. It made these tunnel-like things on the face of the sandstone. No idea what it is. I tried to catch it to bring home but it was not going to have it. It was a big jumper.
Update: So the insect that was burrowing in the sandstone has been identified by BugGuide to genus. They say there are 5 described species in the U.S and the only two in our area are the Smaller Sand Cricket (Ellipes minuta) and Ellipes gurneyi. So maybe I can catch it and see which it is. Fingers crossed..
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_31182Binsect2Bthat2Bmade2Btunnel2Bin2Bsandstone2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
The tunnel-like thing on sandstone.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_31012Bebony2Bspleenwort2Bfern2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_31002Bebony2Bspleenwort2Bfern2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Ebony Spleenwort is a type of fern. See the spores on the back of leaf
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29992Bpurple2Bcliff2Bbrake2Bfern2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29982Bpurple2Bcliff2Bbrake2Bfern2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Purple Cliff brake another type of fern
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_31092B2Bcollected2Bby2Bjeanne2Bliverwort2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Liverwort species
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29292Bunk2Bmoss2Bjeanne2Bcollected2Bshort2Bfruiting2Bbodies2B2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Mosses were so bright green today.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_2958.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Lichens were vibrant as well. This is Cladonia pezzizformis or commonly called Turban Lichen. One of my favorite lichens.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_29882Bebony2Bjewelwing2Bfemale2Bwhite2Bspot2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Ebony Jewelwing female. The white spots make it a female.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30812Bcreek2Bbed2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Creek bed
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_30822Btree2Broots2Bmoss2Bunit2B31.jpg?fit=852%2C320&ssl=1)
Tree with roots showing and moss at the base
I was going to guess order Embioptera (Webspinners) by the webby tunnels but the insect doesn't look right and I'm not sure they jump. I am going to send it to Brittany and ask her.
The tunnel was made from sand. I didn't include a photo of the tunnel uncovered. I will send it to you separately.