dandelion

dandelion, 14 days ago to random

I used to think it was a strange kind of cicada or grasshopper - but it turned out the relatively high-pitched and steady trills we hear in late spring are the mating calls of American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus).
#Toads #Amphibians #Herps

The same two roads after I disturbed them. The larger one on the left is facing the camera. Its face is lighter brown than the rest of its body, and the throat white and spotless. The right toad shows its warty, dark upper side

dandelion, 14 days ago to random

The Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is a butterfly magnet in spring. It was introduced from Asia to North America and used to prevent soil erosion but unfortunately turned into an invasive species.
#InvasivePlants #GreatPlains

Small cream or pale yellow flowers hanging in dense clusters from a branch like tiny witches hats with four-pointed brims.
Closeup of the just opening flowers of an Autumn Olive branch.

dandelion, 14 days ago to random

#SilentSunday

dandelion, 15 days ago to random

This wood duck seems pretty annoyed by the constant nattering and honking of the geese (which, admittedly, could be heard from a quarter mile away).

#Honk

dandelion, 15 days ago to Birds

A rare moment: Tree Swallow at rest.
#Swallows #Birds

dandelion, 22 days ago to climate

A lone goose is holding out hope... The water should be 2-3 feet deep where it is sitting. But we're facing a third year of extreme drought, and this oxbow lake will remain a dustbowl 😔

#Drought #ClimateCrisis

Closeup of the Canada Goose from the previous photo. It is sitting amongst dead plants - those grew last year, when the drying up lake exposed some shallows as islands

dandelion, 28 days ago to random

#SilentSunday #Vultures

dandelion, 29 days ago to random

Violet time!
#Woodlands #NativePlants #GreatPlains

A cluster of yellow violets with dark green leaves on the dry ground of a prairie that was bunt last fall (and therefore isn't covered in the remains of dense vegetation) Smooth Yellow Violet (Viola eriocarpa)
A darker variation of the Common Blue Violet with deeper blue flowers on the forest floor.

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

Woodsy Thyme Moss
#Mosstodon

Different view across the same patch. The Gametophytes stand thinner here so sing of the leafy green gametophytes can be seen in the gaps.

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

Moss hedgehog
#mosstodon

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

When the light falls just so, it's easy to see where Painted Turtles got their name...
#Turtles #Herps #Wetlands #GreatPlains

A Painted Turtle on a log, showing off intricate red and yellow patterns along its sides and the typical low profile of the shell.

jaybaeta, 1 month ago to movies

I had the privilege yesterday of handling various snakes, including a ground boa (shown below) and slug-eating snake. This was after #filming several spitting #cobra species from around Indonesia, which were being sunbathed (and were very unhappy about it).

I should have the footage up soon, but am still deciding if I should go back and get more before publishing.

Close-up of a spitting cobra, facing slightly to the right of the camera.
Screenshot of a spitting cobra in the process of spraying venom at a shoe. It's a close-up and we see the back of the hood.

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

Wild turkey mating season is here...

The same tom in profile taking a short break from the peak of his display - his feathers still puffed up and spread out but his shape still resembles a bird more than a giant sphere.

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

Little stalked puffballs auditioning for a cameo in a Studio Ghibli movie

#FungiFriday

The same puffball from a lower angle, a second one in the background.

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

Sunset at the Platte River.

Dusk at the Platte River. The left two thirds of the sky are covered with dense, darkening orange clouds, the remainder remains rosy and blue with only a few light clouds. The scene is reflected in the river. A dark, irregular band of shoreline and vegetarian is separating sky and water
The same scene a bit later, with the night's shadow creeping over the clouds from the East, the afterglow of sunset still lighting up the horizon.

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

#SilentSunday #MarchMadness

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

The first native herald of spring - Virginia Springbeauty (Claytonia virginica).

#NativePlants #GreatPlains #Woodlands

Another cluster of buds and one small white open flower against a dark first floor

dandelion, 1 month ago to random

More Sandhill Cranes...

dandelion, 2 months ago to random

Where there's marsh, there's turtles! #MarshMadness

dandelion, 2 months ago to random

#SilentSunday

dandelion, 2 months ago to random

#SilentSunday

dandelion, 3 months ago to random

#SilentSunday

dandelion, 3 months ago to random

Beavers have been busy in our wetland. What was once a small stream is now a series of ponds at varying levels of water. With the tall grasses flattened down by the recent snow, details of their activity become visible: The edge of the pond is lined with a low but very long dam of mud and grass clots, raising the waterline by half a foot above the adjacent meadow.
#Beavers #Wetlands

dandelion, 3 months ago to random

The blooms of winter...

#Icetodon

Frosted inflorescences of a Blue Vervain, each old flower spike reminiscent of a candle or maybe thick incense stick. In the background, the straw color of dead vegetation, the bright white of snow and the light blue of the sky blur together.
Closeup of goldenrod seeds, the fluffy tufts crowned with ice crystals.
White frost outlining a bunch of Switchgrass - revealing its large panicles and making them look rather substantial. Despite being a tall grass with huge inflorescences, it is also very delicate and therefore easy to miss amongst other tall vegetation.