Over the weekend we did a quick trip to Norman. We left earlier than planned because of the forecasted rain on Sunday. Furthermore they got 8 inches of rain!
We arrived in Norman to a break in the rain. So there was time for a walk at the local park!
The beautiful backside of a sumac (Rhus) leaf was admired.
Then I saw a dark grasshopper. And Paula was able to catch one for close examination! Yeah Paula! They were the Autumn Yellow-winged Grasshopper (Arphia xanthoptera). The ridge or fin on the pronotum was really cool! After researching I found their range includes North Texas. You can bet I will be looking closely for one here!
Look at the beautiful yellow banded wing!
Paula spotted another great find, a red Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) guarding her babies on Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis)!
A Broad-headed Bug (Alydus)!
Finishing the walk with a lovely Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) leaflet!
Whoa, good stuff! That is a very cool grasshopper I’ve never seen before. The red Green Lynx Spider – I think I’ve seen reddish specimens here before. Does that happen as they age?
Thanks for a fun visit and I’m glad we got to go to the park before all the “fun” big storms.
Thanks for sharing the voting rights murder article. Very important on this Election Day.
Thanks for having us! We love to see y’all and our grandfurries babies! Article seemed appropriate on election day. Glad you thought so too. ☺️
I’ve never seen that grasshopper before. And i will never understand racism. Yes very appropriate article about voting.
The grasshopper apparently likes ground with bare areas.
Whoa, good stuff! That is a very cool grasshopper I’ve never seen before. The red Green Lynx Spider – I think I’ve seen reddish specimens here before. Does that happen as they age?
That grasshopper is something special with the ridge and bright yellow wings. So dark.