For years I have drove over these bridges. Always thinking I should investigate these creeks. Well, the day had come! Jeanne found a safe place for us to park off the road. And let the exploring begin!
This type of bridge construction seems to be common with the vaulted channels. So each time I am under a bridge now I have my eyes peeled for a bat roosting. No luck yet. 🤷🏻♀️ However it will be just a matter of time and I know I will find one. 🙂
A Cliff Swallow certainly thought the vault was a good place for a home.
Of course some graffiti!
The bridge repair crew had bulldozed a path down to the creek. In fact their generator was going full blast.
The crew was busy making repairs. So you can see where they had exposed the rebar. Now they were patching it with concrete. Now we will feel a little safer as the heavy vehicles go roaring over us. 🙂
Most of the Cliff Swallows had preferred these locations and not the vaults. With the constant rumbling of the vehicles above the nests were starting to fall.
Now it was time to start looking at the fauna and flora!
Of course Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) is a magnet for insects! This skipper like all skippers for me are hard to nail down. So my tentative ID on this one was a Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris). What do you think?
A Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii) seemed a little easier. It is the only scallopwing in the east. And it had scallops. 🙂
No insects on the Tick-clover (Desmodium). However it was sure a pretty patch.
This certainly is the time year for grass allergy sufferers to, well suffer. The grasses flowers are worth a closer look to admire their beauty. Jeanne thought this might be a Panicum grass.
Indeed we were just getting started! Thus tomorrow’s post will continue down the creek.
I agree on both skippers
Thanks for the confirmation!
The scallopwing sure is pretty
Agreed!
I agree with Judy – the scallop wing is a cutie!