We were down in the creek area for almost two plus hours.
The Five-banded Thynnid Wasps (Myzinum quinquecinctum) were enjoying the Goldenrod (Solidago)!
Several of the wasps had what looked like a heart spot on the thorax. This one had a different shape. 🤷🏻♀️
While the other wasps were feeding on the nectar the Wheelbug (Arilus cristatus) snagged a meal! There is only one species of Wheelbug in the US.
An Ambush Bug (Phymata) on Smartweed waited for meal to fly in.
There were several patches of Hairy Sunflowers (Helianthus hirsutus) Saw-tooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus) along the bank. A side view the phyllaries.
A Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) posed for a moment on the Horsetail! Why is it called Horsetail. Apparently some species resembles a horse’s tail. Not those in our area. 🙂
Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) paused for a few moments.
Eyebane or Nodding Spurge (Euphorbia nutans syn Chamaesyce nutans) was another plant that I have ignored. Hmmm, I don’t why. Perhaps it was the red/purple splotches that finally drew me in this time. According to FNCT it likes stream bottoms, prairies, clay flats, and disturbed areas.
However now I admired its fruit.
A Small White Morning-glory (Ipomoea lacunosa) wound it way up the Sesbania (Sesbania vesicaria syn Glottidium vesicarium). Sneaky I would say.
The vine certainly tried to fool me in the Sesbania. LOL
That looked like a steep sand bank yall walked out of. Maybe fun to slide down?
This sure is late for that H. hirsutus to bloom. They normally bloom in June or late May. Mine are ratty by now.
I think I have Sesbania at our river. Waiting for it to bloom. Our piece of the Pedernales River is still flowing although further up it is not, so guess a spring is somewhere between. I’m happy. Of course now after 1.4 inches of rain creeks ought to be flowing a little.
Kathy, Thank you for pointing the sunflower out. You know how you get something stuck in your head and even though it nags at you, still you let it slide? Well, that is my excuse. LOL. I was wrong, it was the Saw-tooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus). The phyllaries are too thin for H. hirsuta. Plus looking back I can see a lot of the leaves are alternate. Whereas the H. hirsuta has all opposite leaves. Good catch! Thanks again!!!
Those cockatoos are wonderful. Not surprising tho. And i do love wheelbugs.
The cockatoos definitely are more musical than me, loved it.
That looked like a steep sand bank yall walked out of. Maybe fun to slide down?
This sure is late for that H. hirsutus to bloom. They normally bloom in June or late May. Mine are ratty by now.
I think I have Sesbania at our river. Waiting for it to bloom. Our piece of the Pedernales River is still flowing although further up it is not, so guess a spring is somewhere between. I’m happy. Of course now after 1.4 inches of rain creeks ought to be flowing a little.
Kathy, Thank you for pointing the sunflower out. You know how you get something stuck in your head and even though it nags at you, still you let it slide? Well, that is my excuse. LOL. I was wrong, it was the Saw-tooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus). The phyllaries are too thin for H. hirsuta. Plus looking back I can see a lot of the leaves are alternate. Whereas the H. hirsuta has all opposite leaves. Good catch! Thanks again!!!
I didnt know enough to see those ID points. Just knew the season wasn’t right. I’ll have to look that sunflower up.
Rock on cockatoos!
So many euborbias! Cool day.