Unit 47 (Black Creek Lake) at the LBJ National Grasslands is designated as a no shooting zone. So even in the upcoming hunting season, no shooting is allowed. Today, I was invited by Elm Fork chapter master naturalists, Jerry H. and Jeanne for a scouting trip. It probably has been ten plus years since I had walked this area.
Unit 47 sign! Since unit 47 butts up against unit 78 (a hunting allowed unit) you need to be cautious. So it is good to know where and when the hunting season starts. Turkey and deer season for archery only starts October 1, 2022. The general season for the guns starts November 5, 2022. Go to the TPWD site for a full list. Wear your orange for hunting season!
So off we went! First photo, the Side-oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula). It is not quite doing its side thing yet. LOL. I had to ask for an ID. Jeanne is my go-to for grasses. Thanks Jeanne!
Further down the trail, this Side-oats Grama takes on its normal characteristic of going to the side. Now I recognize it. 🙂
The trail starts at Black Creek Lake fee area. The trail has not been kept up. So finding the trailhead is a bit hard. Along this part, we found lichens and mosses!
A good place to look for the Turban Lichen (Cladonia peziziformis) is along the edges of the trails. Certainly, one of my favorites.
Moss with its capsules!
Someone had placed a rock on the branch. Jeanne thought it looked like Jimmy Durante’s nose. I agree. What do you think?
Certainly, a beautiful Peeling Puffball (Lycoperdon marginatum)!
Next, Jeanne and Jerry were checking out a mulberry tree.
On the ground, an old paper wasp nest laid.
Indeed, it is a structure to be admired! A wasp chews up wood. And then mixing the wood with their saliva to construct the cells. Each cell is a hexagon. This is a very efficient way to make the cells strong. In addition, it is less work as each cell is added. Amazing! Furthermore, wasps are an important part of the ecosystem furnishing a vital function as predators!
Moreover, a big thank you to Jeanne and Jerry for inviting me along! Indeed, a wonderful morning!
I am appreciating wasps more and more! I highly recommend this book for anyone who hasn’t seen it: https://www.pollinationpress.com/store/p17/wasps.html. Identification and natural history and recommended plant lists.
I have only seen one nest that looked similar to the one in the video. And that was in Winnipeg, Canada. However there are some hornets do live in Texas.
Puffball is beautiful. Never seen one look like that. Paper wasp nests are so cool. They weigh almost nothing. Glad hunters didnt see you.
I see plenty of peeling puffballs, however this one’s peeling sure looked different from the usual
That peeling puffball is amazing!
I am appreciating wasps more and more! I highly recommend this book for anyone who hasn’t seen it: https://www.pollinationpress.com/store/p17/wasps.html. Identification and natural history and recommended plant lists.
Thanks for sharing the link!
Great wasp video! But never have seen one here with the exterior walls like they show
I have only seen one nest that looked similar to the one in the video. And that was in Winnipeg, Canada. However there are some hornets do live in Texas.