Cupule is what the cap of the acorn is called. It is the modified hardened bracts. More than you wanted to know maybe. But when I started out on my walk today, I decided to see if I could see any big differences between the different species. One was hairier; some bracts were longer; some were…

  As Gracie and I were out walking the back fence this afternoon it started to sleet. I noticed because I could see it on Gracie’s fur. Also had a little bit of slushy snow flurries mixed with rain while I sat in the truck in town late this afternoon. The Ladies-tresses (Spiranthes cernua) still…

Harvestman or Daddy Longlegs (Leiobunum vittatum) was eating a millipede (Aniulus). It was cold when I found it this morning which may explain why its legs were so weirdly positioned. I went back later and checked.  Daddy was still nearby but the head was all that Daddy wanted to eat.  View of a thistle (Cirsium) leaf….

 We got .09″ this morning. It sprinkled a bit more around 11am. The sun came out this afternoon with a high of about 58.  When the fallen leaves are damp, it brings out browns. I sure would not like this picture for a jigsaw puzzle. This Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) stump pops in the damp…

There are many kinds of organisms that can be placed in the group fungi. They become noticeable when they produce their fruiting body. The puffball above is the fungus’ fruiting body. Most of time you don’t see them do their work of de-compositing of organic matter to their roles in nutrient cycling.  This fungus is causing white…

The Bagworm moth (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) likes Eastern Red Cedars. They remind me of Christmas tree ornaments. I know most people don’t want them, but with the insect population decreasing so rapidly, I am not one to kill them. The ones I see around my place have not caused any damage. And well, it is nature….

Hope y’all are feeling good and got to get out in this awesome weather. Gracie was feeeeeling good and a roll in the grass just makes it better.  Cedar Elm’s (Ulmus crassifolia) have these corky wings/ridges on some of the branches. This corky wings had galls (the pointy things) on it. Another view. Cedar Elm is…

 Today’s weather was just absolutely perfect! Robins on my birdbath. Frosted coyote scat. Our low was 32 this morning. The whitish knot looks like some sort of creature, but not sure what. LOL Closeup. Greenbriar (Smilax bona-nox) tendril. I think the tendrils are amazing the way they find something to hold. I got these tiny 2×3…

 Brown is adjective which is defined as a color produced by mixing red, yellow, and blue. When I googled the definition of brown, I also got these words as similar:  hazel, chocolate-colored, coffee-colored, cocoa-colored, nut brown, brunette, mousy, sepia, mahogany, umber, burnt sienna, beige, buff, tan, fawn, biscuit, camel, café au lait, caramel, mushroom, bay, sorrel,…

Hackberry seeds that a bird has eaten.  Crow-poison (Nothoscordum bivalve) finds the day warm enough to bloom! Milkweed seeds ready to fly!  Insect eggs on a Hackberry tree. Keep looking!