Continuing on with the second part of Ladonia post. And it certainly was a good day to be out on a Blackland prairie at the Caddo NG!
Our group with the heads looking down. It is really hard to know which way to look sometimes. Do you look down for plants and bugs or up towards a singing Dickcissel? Someone in our group found a Dickcissel’s nest with it blue eggs nestled in a small bush about a foot off the ground. I did not see it. ;-(
However, I did find this nest of eggs and newly hatched nymphs! The nymph were about two millimeters in size.
A Three-toed Box Turtle was discovered by Alan (a new participant). The turtle quickly closed her door shut, but I thought I saw her brown eyes before she did. The males have red eyes.
Jeff explained to the group about leaf differences in some of the sumac species in North Texas. There are seven species listed in the Flora of North Central Texas.
Indian Plantain (Arnoglossum plantagineum) going to seed! Typically found in wetter meadows and prairies.
Pink Evening Primroses with a Meadow Pink in the back!
Indeed here was the most exciting and new find for me, Spring Ladies-tress (Spiranthes vernalis). Shirley had told me of a population near Gainesville, but I had not been able to locate. It was in area where folks frequently mow (ie lawns). So this was a total delight to finally see it in person!
A closeup the tightly twisted flowers around the stem. Did I say I was excited to meet one in person LOL!
Next heading towards a pond, Little Wood Satyr was seen in the understory.
Earlier in the spring, I had not noticed evidence of the American Lotus before. Beautiful pond!
A silhouette of a damselfly near the pond.
As we headed back to our vehicles, we walked pass the Baptisia again. I still was on the lookout for a Frosted Elfin. First I found the small beetle.
The last find on the Baptisia was these insect eggs! I found similar looking eggs to be an Io Moth’s (Automeris io) eggs on the internet, so maybe! The Io Moth has numerous host plants.
No Frosted Elfins that day. 🙁 Nevertheless, it was a splendid day at the Ladonia Units with new and old friends! Moreover, many thanks to Jeff for suggesting the NPAT field trip.
Glad you found a turtle. I didnt know there was an american lotus. Cool. Ive seen them but had no idea they are native.
Whoa! Spring ladies tresses is so cool!!
Whoa is what I thought too👏🏻
Fantastic orchid find! Lots of other good stuff that day too.
Yes, I was VERY pleased with the orchid!