Wise and Cooke counties have some our favorite spots. Additionally some of those spots were Shirley spots. And Shirley spots are special which makes for the bestest reason to visit each year!
Our first stop was at one of my favorite limestone creek beds. This is not a Shirley spot. However it was close to another Shirley spot so we often drove by it.
Our old friend Clammyweed (Polanisia dodecandra) was right where we had left it last year. Well, but only close since it is an annual. 😉
The Wheelbugs (Arilus cristatus) were having a convention! They were all over the tree!
So there is a dragonfly nymph in the photo. Plus something else next to it. No clue on the other creature. And this small pool of water had a lot of good stuff in it. In fact, I brought a small vial of interesting life forms home. But you will have to wait to see what I found. 😉 A half hour had gone by and now it was time to move on.
Stepping out at the second stop, an cicada exuvia clung tightly. This was a Shirley spot. 🙂
The second stop was also a wet area as evident by the White Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum)!
Here was a tall Spreading Sida (Sida abutifolia). I almost didn’t recognize since it had grown up tall. At home those that are in the driveway. Which means they get cut down and driven over.
The Western Horse Nettle (Solanum dimidiatum) anthers were slightly bruised. And that was certainly a good thing for them. It was a sign a pollinator had visited!
This bud had not opened yet. So someone committed a break-in.
Is the term Stellate for the hairs under the leaf in the last photo? I love it!
You know how confusing common names are. Well different common names are used in different regions. Down here I have heard people call the Fragrant White Mistflower havanense White Boneset. I’m like saying to myself “no no no that is a different plant entirely”.
Yep stellate! Common names are getting so messed up with iNat I think. Regional common names will fade away I bet. And then there is what you said. So confusing.
Ah! The unmowed one looks like mine too which I finally saw flower this morning on! (And promptly forgot to take a pic)
🤣
So looking forward to the aquatic critter reveal!
Pretty cool I thought😊
Wheelbugs are so cool looking. And clammyweed sure is pretty
Sure are!
That’s a lot of wheelbugs! So aptly named.
Agreed!
Is the term Stellate for the hairs under the leaf in the last photo? I love it!
You know how confusing common names are. Well different common names are used in different regions. Down here I have heard people call the Fragrant White Mistflower havanense White Boneset. I’m like saying to myself “no no no that is a different plant entirely”.
Yep stellate! Common names are getting so messed up with iNat I think. Regional common names will fade away I bet. And then there is what you said. So confusing.