Some of the most interesting and enlightening discoveries are sometimes made by someone just noticing the unusual. Though I have not made any of these big “things”. However I keep looking and having fun.
Gnaw marks from a rodent on a deer antler! This is certainly not an uncommon occurrence that you will find in the field.
The Redbud (Cercis canadensis) are blooming now. So watch for this little butterfly, the Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici) around the Redbuds. This is one of their host plants! The larvae will be green at first, but a few days before pupating it will turn reddish.
Here’s a better photo I took some years ago. The species is quite flighty and the above photo was backlit. That’s my excuse. 🙂
Besides the butterflies, many other insects will be buzzing around.
The thalloid liverwort with the female gametophytes look like the green umbrellas of the tiny fairies.
A look under the green umbrella! No fairies were hiding that I saw. 😉
A beautiful crustose lichen on limestone!
Then up close, it always seems even more spectacular to me!
Ahh you just missed the interesting bug with the red band on its butt. However it is down in that dark tiny hole. LOL.
While Jeanne was busy taking moss notes, I was enjoying the Turban Cap Lichens (Cladonia peziziformis). Now let your mind go. What do you see? I see a creature with horns and a hunch shoulders. 🙂
Then there was another time waiting for Jeanne to finish her notes.
I think the monster looks like a snail. Good articles about spitting seal and the tools in China.
I can see that too. 😊
I did too Judy. First thought was the head of a snail with the tentacles.
I see an exuberant child with raised arms jumping up and down in a huge pile of leaves.
Fond memories of jumping in a pile of leaves 😊
I like Jeanne’s idea of a jumping leaf pile kid! Great day.