Yesterday, I made a visit to the LBJ grasslands on unit near our house. Jeanne was available. So we met up about 9am.
Before heading to the grasslands, Gracie needed her walk. This was the sunrise walk. The clouds were awesome!
A cluster of mushrooms greeted Jeanne and I at the entrance to the unit! Indeed, they were lovely!
A Moonflower (Datura wrightii) seed pod also fairly near the gate at the edge of a brush pile.
There were some flowers that still were going to bloom soon!
Looking the plant over carefully, we found the Carolina Sphinx (Manduca sexta). If you have tomato plants, you are probably familiar with the cat. So instead of squashing it, consider planting a Datura for your cats! Both are native!
The sphinx’s legs are so pretty!
The spiracles are incredibly beautiful! These are how the cat breathes. The air enters through the spiracles into the trachea to deliver oxygen directly into the animal’s tissues.
Back to the plant, a top view of a flower that would be blooming soon.
Was it lost? A Small Milkweed Bug also was visiting the Datura!
The spent flower was barely attached by the style!
Jeanne got musical and decided to play the trombone! LOL As you can probably tell, we still had not gotten very far. So many things to discover. More tomorrow on finds from that day.
On a separate note, the Ft. Worth NPAT chapter will be leading a Prairie Seeker Toolbox at the Ft. Worth Nature Center & Refuge on September 24th. Some of us were out scouting the location today. Spots are still available in the Prairie Seekers class. For full details and to signup check here!
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know.
4 Comments
Be careful around that datura seedpod. They will poke you. Closeups of the hornworm are great. Never would have known their feet are pretty. That last datura bud will open tonight. Never seen one in the wild.
Well, the datura certainly can get big here. However in west Texas at my sister-in-law’s garden/driveway area, the plant does not get very big because of less rain. Her plants were only about 20″ tall. 🙂
Be careful around that datura seedpod. They will poke you. Closeups of the hornworm are great. Never would have known their feet are pretty. That last datura bud will open tonight. Never seen one in the wild.
A fun day! Thanks for sharing!
I’m sure tempted to plant a Datura. I saw one today in full bloom at a community garden near Denton. I’d have to find a big spot for it though.
Well, the datura certainly can get big here. However in west Texas at my sister-in-law’s garden/driveway area, the plant does not get very big because of less rain. Her plants were only about 20″ tall. 🙂