On Labor Day Claire took us to Saxon Park (Norman). So I could not find any info specifically about the park. However there was a lot about John Saxon and his gift of $30 million to OU. So presumably the park had something to do with him. The park has a 1.8 mile trail, part sun and part shade. We tried to stay in the shade and only walked about half of the trail. But let me start at Claire’s house first.
Early in the morning we sat out on the patio and watched a Goatweed Leafwing (Anaea andria) flitter about around the Croton. Then I looked closer. And to our delight there were eggs! The rolled leaf had a small Goatweed Leafwing cat inside.
So perhaps this was what the Goatweed Leafwing had been doing. Closeup of the egg of the Goatweed Leafwing (tentatively). Furthermore there were multiple eggs on the plant. Yahoo! So you might want to consider a Croton in your yard?
While I was examining the Croton a friend dropped down on my phone.
A Polistes Paper Wasp (subgenus Fuscopolistes) was as close as we could figure. It certainly was interesting watching it skate around on the smooth glass. Finally I tipped it off and away it went!
Briar was loaded as she waited on us. Happy girl!
While I waited for the others I stepped over to the garden. A Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens)!
Nearby a Assassin Bug (Zelus)! And then to Saxon Park we went. Briar was thinking about time. LOL
The American Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca americana) was being shy.
Ahh got ya!
Yesterday while at the Ruby Grant Park we had seen this species, Tall Thistle (Cirsium altissimum). It was unfamiliar to me. It looks similar to the one I am familiar with the Engelmann’s Thistle (Cirsium engelmannii). Both species have leaves at the base of the inflorescence.
Both have a tomentose (fuzzy like dense hairs) underside.
But the big difference is these leaves are not as deeply incised as C. engelmannii. Thanks Abby! I shall keep my eyes out for it at home.
So here was another new plant for me, the Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) or as Claire called it a Short Amorpha. 😉
It had been a wonderful visit with Claire, Briar, the cats (Tuqu, Gram and Shackleton)! Thanks Claire for sharing your wonderful parks in Norman.
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know
5 Comments
What a fun visit! Norman sure has a nice park system. I’m glad you found a leadplant – it’s one of my favorites to spot when I get to roam on Nebraska and Kansas prairies.
I call it short Amorpha because I can never remember which species is which haha. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with me as we walked!! I have a much better idea of goldenrods now.
Yes I saw that was not a common name usually associated with it. But I think it is most appropriate and that is what I will be calling it. Leadplant was what iNat called it I think.
What a fun visit! Norman sure has a nice park system. I’m glad you found a leadplant – it’s one of my favorites to spot when I get to roam on Nebraska and Kansas prairies.
Great Tallamy articles – will definitely share.
That is one cool Greenland shark – imagine living hundreds of years!
I call it short Amorpha because I can never remember which species is which haha. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with me as we walked!! I have a much better idea of goldenrods now.
Yes I saw that was not a common name usually associated with it. But I think it is most appropriate and that is what I will be calling it. Leadplant was what iNat called it I think.
Yes leadplant. I just can’t even remember that vs false indigo since they are the same genus and I’ve only seen that one in one place here too.