Chrysolina auripennis is in the Leaf Beetles (Chrysomelidae) family. With so many beetles in the world it is not surprising that most do not have a common name. I brought it inside for a photo shoot. It was about 8mm(3/8″). Split-beard bluestem (Andropogon ternarius) and Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) often are found together. That old…

Harvestman or Daddy Short-legs(Eumesosoma roeweri) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) in my backyard with the Cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) in the background. The Sweetgum is one of the host plants for Luna moths.   One fresh and two old and used up ones of the Lycoperdon species of puffballs.  These are the Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) which are from Brazil….

Be sure to wear your hunter orange if you are on the LBJ National Grasslands! Check TPWD for a complete list. Crambid Snout Moths (Crambidae) have 860 species in 10 subfamilies.  This one was on Palafoxia (Palafoxia callosa). Green lacewing (Chrysopidae) on Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)   . Shiny mushroom on a fallen Blackjack (Quercus marilandica) Keep looking!  

  My morning started off with this pretty Mint-loving Pyrausta (Pyrausta acrionalis) moth. Only about about 8mm (5/16″). Here are two millipedes. They crossed paths but went on their separate merry ways. The small one is in the class of  Millipedes (Diplopoda) The bigger one I got to order Flat-backed Millipedes (Polydesmida). An example of  a House Centipede( Scutigera coleoptrata) courtesy of Judy. It…

Yesterday was a nice day to be at the grasslands. Cow patty mushrooms. That’s what I call them. Underside. Plenty of petrified wood. Cool rock embedded in the sand. Big piece of petrified wood  More petrified wood and little pebbles This round rock was on a pedestal of dirt. It was so perfect! The gullies…

This handsome and looks-very-fresh Bull Snake came by around noon today.   Four and half to five feet long!   Missouri Basin Goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) Another view of the seed heads. I believe they are as pretty as the flower. Another awesome sunset tonight. Five minutes later. Keep looking!

Red Oak These feathers were stuck in some grass. Not sure what kind of bird, but possibly a roadrunner. Can you find the Green Lacewing?  It moved when I took the photo and I thought I didn’t even get a shot.  Rose hip  of the White Prairie Rose (Rosa foliolosa) Slender one-seed Copperleaf (Acalypha monococca)….

 Wow, what good birds I had this morning!  Red and Yellow Shafted Northern Flickers, Western Meadowlarks, Spotted Towhee, Song, Savannah, White-throated, Harris’, Field and Vesper sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, chickadees, cardinals, crows, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Blue Jays. Obscure Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca obscura). Such a beautiful grasshopper! A round nest out of a square hole.  I pulled…

 November 2020!  Hang on! Had my first of season Fox Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warbler today. Also saw a Lincoln’s Sparrow and Dark-eyed Juncos.  No photos ;-(  The phone really is not much good on bird photos except to perhaps get an ID or proof.  Cottonwood trees are showing their fall colors. Fiery Skipper Parasitic Flies…