What is the meaning of PS? One definition for PS is an abbreviation for postscript. However in my case I am using it as abbreviation for Prairie Seekers. And today was NPAT PS day. A great group of the prairie lovers came out on this beautiful Saturday to take it all in at the Thomsen Foundation.
Before PS time, Jim and I did our early morning walk at home. Certainly looked like the clouds might be moving in for the day.
However as you can see by 9am at the Thomsen Foundation the clouds had parted. We listened to Dr. Lisa Bellows tell the background of the Thomsen Foundation and its mission.
The group split into two groups. Our group went to the top of mesa first. We had just climbed a steep hill and turned back to admire the fall colors of the woods below. Also as you can see some clouds had moved back in.
On the way up the hill a Salt Marsh Moth caterpillar was seen. These caterpillars are generalists in their feeding habits. Additionally, they can range from this dark color to totally blonde color. The adult moths are a beautiful white. So you can see a pair of adults mating in my post “Whew“.
Up on the mesa someone had left their mark long ago. Water brought out the carving. The history of this person was unknown.
A female Eastern Red Cedar was loaded! Indeed the robins and waxwings will love it this winter.
After lunch, it was our group’s turn to be down in the lowland. This land like many areas in North Texas, had intense farming. And now for the last forty some years the Thomsen Foundation has worked on restoring it. And they have been great caretakers.
On the Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) we found a lot of True Bug (Heteroptera) nymphs, possibly Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae).
And this one after some research, I think was one that was molting into an adult. Pretty cool, eh!
Most of the Nodding Ladies-tresses (Spiranthes cernua) were closed and self-pollinating. However we did find one that was open for business. 🙂
It was a great PS group! And many thanks to Kate, Suzanne, and Michelle for organizing another wonderful PS day. And thanks to the Thomsen Foundation for having us!
What a beautiful place. Your cloud pics are always award winning perfect. Looks like it was a great day.
Sorry, I’m so far behind on keeping up with my email! We had a great day at PS and you were an important part of it! We have a great team!