Yesterday I could not stay at home. Well I hadn’t been to the grasslands in week. I have been a homebody. However I needed a break from the report on Caddo. We had a 20% chance of rain, it was cloudy, and so I thought I could squeeze a short outing in. It started to sprinkle on me as I drove over to the grasslands. Hmmm.
Still sprinkling when I arrived. But I heard the far away thunder and saw the dark clouds heading for me. Though I still thought I had time to make it my target spot.
Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) must have been breathtaking a week or so ago! And a Bindweed (Convolvulus equitans) snuck in too.
In this area there were a few really short American Basket-flower (Plectocephalus americanus)!
A Geometer cat was standing tall. I guess they think that was a better way to hide?
The Golden Dalea (Dalea aurea)! Yes, it was getting darker out.
Hiding in the hairs I found a very tiny cat!
Then I saw a large flying insect. I followed it and caught up with them. At the time I only knew it was a gangly katydid. With a little research later I decided it was the Stilt-walker Katydid (Arethaea grallator)!
Still more on my short Saturday morning trip tomorrow.
Wow that katydid is so leggy!!
Crazy!
Wonderful katydid portrait! And those skies!
It was interesting the katydid. I thought it was going to be a bird grasshopper. 🤷🏻♀️
I do love basket flowers. As pretty as thistles but with no spines.
😊
I love the Dalea aurea photo. Dramatic skies and the yellow of the flower glows.
The katydid is spectacular