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Record rains through parts of Texas during late summer and early fall of 2018 created ideal opportunities for fungi to develop. I don't know the correct species names but gave them descriptive titles, when possible. Some of them are beyond describing but are just weird and fascinating.
Various places in South and Southwest Texas during 2018.
This was possibly the last day before this little sparrow migrated on to summer breeding grounds to the northern and western regions of the continent. It posed kindly on the barbed wire fence, careful to show both front and back. They have beautiful tan, brown and gray streaks.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in April 2021
A green anole that has turned grayish brown to blend in to the cut-off limb where it is hanging. It was just enjoying the sunshine and waiting for a bug to approach so it could catch a snack.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas.
A rather unimaginative name but at least fully descriptive. This one is a female, arrived in the spring to spend some her her summer months with us. There was also a male who did not cooperate for a photo at the time. She managed to pose on some of my favorite backyard perches.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in April 2022
Butterflies - we had a lot of them in Montell, Uvalde County, during October 2020. Quite a variety of species. I'm not sure the reason this species is named fatal metalmark. Metalmark is because the wings appear to have metallic threads woven into them. But not sure why this species is fatal
On a ranch near George West, Texas. Lots of noisy green jays here. Green jays live in family groups and youngsters stay with their parents to help with the next brood of hatchlings before moving on to form their own family groups. Interesting behavior. There tends to be one always on lookout from a high perch and this makes it hard photograph them unless you can find a spot to hide and wait for them to show up.
This male summer tanager was kind enough to perch and pose for me. Such a bright pop of red-orange color!
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas
Zinnias are very attractive to pollinators. I observed and photographed both honey bees and American bumble bees on these zinnias.
In Montell, Uvalde County, Texas.
I had lots of fun photographing the hummingbirds in August as they prepared for their migration further south for the winter. My yard provided plenty of food and water for them. A female or immature bird playing in the water sprinkler. Not sure if this is a black-chinned or ruby-throated.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in August 2021
One of the resident green kingfishers. It seems to have gotten adjusted to me and will pose for photographs. In Montell, Uvalde County, Texas
This handsome bird was seeming to make a point of pausing to pose on different interesting perches in my yard. The black-and-white upper parts show a striking pattern and the yellow throat really stands out.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in August 2021
There were several of these fluttering around on this shrub that I believe is called coastal indigo. The tiny blooms are a coral color. The butterflies only show blue when the wings are spread, and it was difficult to get a shot of that but I finally managed one.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in June 2022
I think this dragonfly is a swift setwing. It was perched next to a "hurricane fence". In Montell, Uvalde County, Texas.
Most likely a juvenile or female black-chinned hummingbird. They were very active at feeders and flowers during the heat of summer.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas during June 2021
Brown, tan and white markings with a powdery looking texture to the wings. This little skipper butterfly was fluttering around the lantana blooms but opted to perch on the blade of grass.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in August 2021
This shrub has pretty pink-white flowers during summer and develops berries that turn bright red. The leaves also turn pretty red shades during autumn before the plants go dormant. The berries are popular with birds and other wildlife.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in November 2021
Brightly colored skipper butterfly on flower commonly called frog fruit. This plant grows abundantly among the rocks at the edge of the river here and sometimes even in the river. I've also seen it further away from the river, in our meadow. The flower is not much bigger than the eraser end of a number 2 pencil to give you an idea of how small the butterfly is.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas during September 2020
In years past, flocks of pine siskins have visited my yard and in particular the finch feeders with thistle seeds. During the 2021-2022 migration seasons only a few stopped by for a visit. Unusual. Cute little birds.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in May 2022
Fall is on its way back. Doesn't seem possible, really! We've had a very cold, wet summer...so much so that it hasn't really felt like summer at all for much of the last couple of months. And then today, what do I see but leaves well on their way to fall finery. Not MANY leaves, mind you...but more than I'm ready for!
Visited the family ranch property in Dimmit, County, Texas (near Asherton) and document some wildflower that I found growing there. This was during March 2019.
Thrashers are a member of the family mimidae, a group that includes Northern mockingbirds. As that suggests, they are able to imitate other bird songs and calls, although this species is not nearly as skilled as the northern mockingbird. They can be seen foraging on the ground by running through grass and fallen leaves "thrashing" with their beaks to stir up prey. They eat insects, berries and on occasion I have seen them grab a small lizard for a snack.
This was seen near George West, Texas in December 2019.
This little lark sparrow was very curious, but a bit nervous. I back away and he (or she) would perch on the fence and hop to different spots trying to figure out what I was up to. Really cute. I have seen quite a few of these before, but had not observed one raise the crown feathers into a crest. Montell, Uvalde County, Texas during September 2018.
The Coppery Dancer (Argia cuprea) is essentially a Mexican and Central American damselfly of rivers and streams occurring in the U.S. only in the western portion of the Texas Hill Country. The males are quite striking with red eyes and reddish/coppery upper thorax. I found quite a few in mating posture along the Nueces River near our property.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in September 2021
Large garden orb weaver with some unlucky insect wrapped to become a meal for another day, or perhaps for future offspring.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas.
Monarda citriadora: among other common names are Lemon mint, wild bergamot, purple horse mint, plains horse mint. Whatever someone wants to call it, this is a lovely wildflower that grows in abundance on our property during late spring and early summer months. Pretty purple or sometimes pale pink flowers grow in stacks up a tall stem. Bees and other pollinators are highly attracted. I have read that the plants are edible, often used for tea and have some medicinal value. I just like them for the beauty.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in May 2021
A winter visitor that made his appearance for this first time in 2017/2018. I hope it liked the buffet enough to return for future seasons. Montell, Uvalde County, Texas.
I don't know the name of this shrub but the flowers (or maybe seed clusters) were interesting. This was growing along the Window Trail in Big Bend National Park during June 2019.