Seven nature nerds came for the First Wednesday outing at the LBJ NG. And this unit had a prescribed burn this year. In fact, it may have been the first burn ever done on this particular unit. And it certainly was looking mighty good!
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) was looking spectacular!
Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis) was very plentiful! However, the few pods that were opened did not have many fertile seeds. 🙁 I found the same true last year. So there are least six milkweed species blooming on this unit now. And one adult Monarch was seen today! No monarch larvae though. Furthermore only two to ten percent of the larvae make it to adulthood. Here is a website that has lots Butterfly Fun Facts.
A real beauty the Juniper Hairstreak! And yes the cedar is its host plant.
A Common Sanddragon (Progomphus obscurus) was my tentative ID for this dragonfly. This species it was oddly out of place. Normally, this species likes to be near water. However, I did find one reference that indicated sometimes they can be found away from water. So I reached out to an expert and she agreed with my ID. Just weirdly lost. 🤷🏻♀️Thanks Bee!
There is one nice pond on the unit. Pretty, eh!
A Yellow-bellied Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster) was spotted below in the water. So I wondered if it was not the same snake I saw a few days ago. It certainly was similar in size. But who knows. 🙂 Our family affectionally named this species Zack who often visits our garden pond at home. A handsome snake!
The last find was by Suzanne, Adder’s Tongue fern (Ophioglossum engelmannii).
Very cool find! Thanks Suzanne! And thanks Jeanne for the Adder’s Tongue photos!
And thanks to the six other nature nerds for joining with me to explore the LBJ NG! Always great to talk nature with friends!
Adders tongue is cool. Thanks Suzanne and Jeanne. Always like snakes.
Very cool about the Sanddragon! I’ve never heard of that species – love that name.
We found some cool stuff yesterday, eh!
Great day!