So is it legal to have too much fun? Whether or not, that is my goal. LOL The second day certainly was just as fun as the first with more great discoveries!
The orange aphid said it was rearing to go as well. It was on a milkweed (Asclepias). Of course, the ants were nearby too. Update: Thanks Misti for ID’ing the aphid as Oleander Aphid (Aphis nerii))
Quite few a Monarch eggs and caterpillars were located on the milkweeds. All the cats were still fairly small.
The dew laden milkweed was beautiful!
Fleabane flowers glistered with the dew!
Starwort (Minuartia muscorum) is a flower we do not see in Wise County. Indeed, a delightful half inch flower.
This little critter is a leafhopper, tentatively ID as Yellowfaced Leafhopper (Scaphytopius frontalis). Another find on the milkweed!
Seeds of a Krigia cespitosa!
Did you notice the rear of this bug above? The patterns on this nymph were incredible!
In a low area we found this wonderful plant, Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium) or also known as Jack-in-the-pulpit.
Apparently the berries are enjoyed by birds and mammals. However, homo sapiens would find the berries and all parts of it poisonous!
Jeanne and I were walking about hundred feet apart to cover more ground. Then a Wild Turkey burst up from the ground about 15 feet in front of her. Indeed, a wonderful find were the eggs the mama had been sitting on. We quickly left her nest.
What a tangle of grapevines!
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium pruninosum)!
Indeed, here was a special plant, Redpurple beebalm (Monarda russeliana)! It is only known in five counties in Texas!!!
Keep looking!
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know.
I love that leafhopper!!!
Thanks for inspiring me to visit new Texas parks and grasslands!!
I am happy😊
Ooh the red purple bee balm looks awesome!
The aphid is an oleander aphid, plaguing milkweeds throughout the world!
Misti, thanks for the ID!!
Milkweed flowers are special as is that bee balm.