However, we seemed to be getting it whether or not we want it, eh. High temp at our house was 93.7 degrees. So I for one am glad it was windy and didn’t make it to the forecasted high of 99 degrees.
Clean through! Furthermore, I don’t see that often!
Indeed, the Two-flowered Milkvine (Matelia biflora) buds are primed!
Same plant, but these flowers were open for business. This plant is a host for the Queen butterfly. An interesting note about the Two-flowered Milkvine is, if you crush a leaf it smells like burnt rubber. Try it sometime!
Next up, the perennial Prairie Bluets (Stenaria nigricans, syn.- Hedyotis nigricans)! Its tiny four hairy petals are doing splendid in our field this year. The flower is only about five or six millimeters across. There is only one species of this genus in our area.
The Buckeye is a frequent visitor to the Prairie Bluets! This patch is whitish in color. However, many times the flowers can be pinkish.
Today, I noticed the Frogfruit (Lippia) was blooming! It is a host for the Phaon Crescent.
Both the little tiny black beetles and I make stops at the Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)!
Also while checking the milkweed for cats, this strange critter popped up on my radar! It is a Planthopper (Dictyopharidae) of the genus Scolops! Awesome snout! Crazy looking eh!
While out in the field, Jim found these beautiful blue eggs. These five beauties are a Dickcissel’s. The nest is made of grasses and often time will be directly on the ground. Therefore watch your step! Mama built the nest and takes care of the babies.
However in this case, the nest was safely off the ground. They were about a foot off the ground in a very small shrubby-sized Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana). So the nest is hidden in this tree.
Reflection! So does the a walkingstick see its self? What do you think? The cardinal that keeps banging into our window does.
Love the alien-looking plant hopper. Also appreciated the link to the article on heavy agricultural equipment damaging soil.
Everything we do affects something else, eh. 🤔
My just transplanted prairie Bluets are blooming but my more established frogfruit (planted three falls ago I think) is not yet.
Well you are further north. I only noticed the frogfruit today. Do you know why is it called frogfruit?
Milkweed blooms are so cool. Different and kinda unusual. And yes the walking stick sees itself. Love the blue eggs. Thanks.