Musk thistle. We kill these when we see the basal rosette leaves on our property, because they're invasive, but they are lovely. There are non-invasive native species, like tall thistle that can be enjoyed.
Great-spangled fritillary on Joe-Pye weed
Prairie king snake and toad
A rough earth snake or some type of garter snake
Wild field daisy
Bumble bee on lavender bee balm
Yarrow
Red stars (Fire pink)
Box tortoise
Cottontail rabbit
Brown-eyed Susan
Earthworms
Eastern-tailed blue on white clover
Groundhog
Grass snake
Pill bug larvae in pupae and an adult pill bug (on Liv's hand)
Snapshots from some of our photo books:
Mullein and lilac
Phacelia, wild pinks, common vetch, red honeysuckle, common cinquefoil, peony, yarrow, black- or brown-eyed Susans, rue anemone, red star, Diana fritillary butterfly, tiger swallowtail, raccoon
Likely a luna moth caterpillar, possibly an imperial; bird nest; likely a black bear footprint (or a HUGE dog)
Beautiful plains garter snake...and a dead copperhead
Zebra swallowtail, question mark anglewing, pipevine swallowtail (looks similar to the above-pictured Diana fritillary, the latter of which mimics) leopard frog , mushrooms, irises, and more.
Great-spangled fritillary, polyphemus moth caterpillar, red wasp in different larval stages, black widow spider, wolf spider and babies, brow recluse, a swallowtail variety caterpillar, and more!
Well, that is certainly a small bit of a flashback over the past few years, a rather small sampling, but I loved going back over our discoveries and joyful memories. I'm hoping for another GREAT year of joyful discoveries, new identifications, and and celebrations of God's awesome creation!
