Creeks are really wonderful just like the ravines to me. And that has been the focus for the last few drive-abouts.
Pausing at the Spreading Sida (Sida abutifolia) this fuzzy yellow Bee Fly was probing. I have tentatively ID’d it as Systoechus solitus because it had the darker spines on the hind legs.. These fuzzy little critters are fairly common.
The Wild Morning-glory (Ipomoea cordatotriloba) was in rough shape. Someone had been eating the flower. Additionally it was getting hot by that time.
The path down was very sandy and loose. Big vehicles seemed to be going down as well.
Reaching the creek bottom, oh wow a Green Darner (Anax junius) and it was still.
Upon closer inspection the reason it was not cruising was obvious. It was dead. The ants were having a tasty meal.
The brilliant blue snug against the green. A treat for me and the ants. 😉
Up stream or down? So we choose the less traveled as evident by the lack of tire tracks. Presently like many creeks in North Texas, only small pools of water remained here as well. I certainly hope the little fishes get some water soon. But lack of water makes it easy for us to explore. Meanwhile fingers crossed for rain.
We moved from under the bridge and our first find, the Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)!
Twenty feet further another! Indeed this was going to be a great creek! Horsetails and Mistflowers too!
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) took a rest on the Horsetail.
Thank you for those closeups of the Green Darner. So beautiful. You can’t appreciate that when they are moving, which is what they usually are doing. gorgeous blue.
So down at our part of the Pedernales the Cardinal flowers are in full bloom too. It’s just the ones in my backyard that are behind.
That is a gorgeous spot you found with the mistflowers, cardinal flowers and trailing bean all blooming amongst horsetail. Really pretty setting.
My favorite place has always been streams, rivers and creeks. I love ripples, the sounds and movement and all the creatures attracted to it. Early on when Gary took me on hikes and backpack trips, if we crossed a creek, I had to take my shoes and socks off so I could put my feet in the water. Just had to!
Creeks have always been my favorite places. Soo much like there. I love the bee fly.
Bee flies are one of favs! 🙂
Creek walking is so fun! Unfortunate news about the presumed huge lithium deposit. Big money will probably win out over preserving a sacred space.
You might like to read this alternative method for lithium extraction recently being developed. Much cheaper and more friendly. Perhaps before they start tearing up the sacred land a method like this will come to market quickly 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 …. https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/new-lithium-extraction-method-promises-cleaner-energy-output?utm_source=List+of+Blueprint+Daily&utm_campaign=fdd6a29c70-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_09_11_11_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c078462c08-fdd6a29c70-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D
Wow, I hope they can get that process scaled up quickly!
Thank you for those closeups of the Green Darner. So beautiful. You can’t appreciate that when they are moving, which is what they usually are doing. gorgeous blue.
So down at our part of the Pedernales the Cardinal flowers are in full bloom too. It’s just the ones in my backyard that are behind.
That is a gorgeous spot you found with the mistflowers, cardinal flowers and trailing bean all blooming amongst horsetail. Really pretty setting.
My favorite place has always been streams, rivers and creeks. I love ripples, the sounds and movement and all the creatures attracted to it. Early on when Gary took me on hikes and backpack trips, if we crossed a creek, I had to take my shoes and socks off so I could put my feet in the water. Just had to!
Ooooo, I can just imagining you walking in the creek. 🙂
We saw a bee fly like that here recently too! Thanks for interesting new lithium method article mom.
You are welcome 🙂