October 19th was a lovely day to explore the grasslands! Indeed the temperature was perfect with only a light jacket needed. Our bird list was multiple flocks of Killdeer, cormorants, vultures, one red-tailed hawk, mockingbirds, a rattling Belted Kingfisher, Bluejay, and the best close up view of a Grasshopper Sparrow.
Our shadows as we walked down the slope from the barrens!
Whitlow-wort (Paronychia virginica) is impressively tall this year!
Fine-leaf Gerardia (Gerardia densiflora) had a good year! It can found on weepy limestone hillsides.
Close up the flower with a Meshweaver spider web.
The Tall Grama was spectacular!
The Banded Argiope (Argiope trifasciata) waiting!
The other side!
Queen Delight’s (Stillingia texana)!
We found this Queen Delight’s (Stillingia texana) showing its big root. Curly and big. So on the eroding banks, you can easily see the root details .
Any one listening? I use to tell the girls that this was a fossilized ear. LOL I do not think they fell for the joke. These are from the Lower Cretaceous Trinity (Antlers) which was 120 million years ago when the grasslands were under a shallow sea. S0urce: A Field Guide to Fossils of Texas. If you know which species, let everyone know in the comments. It has been too many years and I don’t remember. Just a bivalve is the best I can do.
I heard two kingfishers flying around overhead tonight here in Norman! What a beautiful fall day you had.
Always lovely to hear one so two means you got a special treat right!
Wow, that Stillingia root is impressive! Not surprising though given how hardy it is.
Have you tried to plant one from seed or dug one up?
I love the fossilized ear.
It’s a fossil so you have to love it. lol
No, I’ve never tried to grow or transplant a Stillingia. I assumed they have a massive root system because of the inhospitable places they grow.