Ode to my zinnias

No two flower blooms are exactly the same. I love how nature does that. These are zinnias that reseeded on their own. I'm honored that they chose to return to our Wildscape (even if they're not native).

 

Argiope update

Every day, I check up on my yellow garden spiders (Argiope aurantia). Alas, one of my five vanished. I don't think she just moved because I found an empty web. From my experience, that's an ominous sign for an Argiope. Usually, they take down their web, THEN move. So I'm down to four mamas-to-be. 

Yesterday, I saw that a male had built his own digs lower down on HER web. She's obviously already mated because her abdomen is LARGE. So I guess he's just finishing up his life cycle, taking it easy, enjoying the scenery.

Texas ironclad beetle

I love these guys. This particular Texas ironclad beetle (Zopherus nodulosus haldemani) seemed to want his photo taken. So I obliged. In the past, these beetles have shown me their "Lazarus" side. I've written several posts on the ability (you can search my blog for more) and an essay, too. So cool! Beautiful beetle, too.

 

Another new butterfly!

Yes! Yet ANOTHER "right time, right place" story. I was checking on one of our yellow garden spiders and spotted what looked to be a different kind of butterfly. It was! This is a goatweed leafwing (Anaea andria). I wish I could have seen the interior wings. But at least I got some shots before it flew away. 

In the meantime, I noticed that the leafwing was sharing a perch on a Texas lantana with a green June beetle (Cotinis nitida). After the butterfly left, I looked closer at the beetle. It was dining on the lantana berries! First time I've observed ANYTHING eating those berries. There were at least three or four other beetles doing the same thing. Interesting!

O wise cenizo!

Chalk up another point for the wise, all-knowing cenizo that lives across the street. It started blooming Aug. 12 and I posted a Facebook photo on Aug. 13, letting folks know that our cenizo predicted rain. Well, guess what? We just had an afternoon DOWNPOUR, and more may on the way! 

At the start of this month, the cenizo bloomed. Two days later, it rained. Last summer, the cenizo got it right three for three!

Crestrib update

My Edwards Plateau crestrib morning-glory (Ipomoea costellata var. edwardsensis) loved today's rains!

Argiope roll call

Molt Mate Murder lady in the lantanas

Despite our rough February storm (or because of it?), we've had a lot of nice surprises in our Wildscapes. Like an abundance of yellow garden spiders (Argiope aurantia). This summer, we have FIVE females! For the first time, I've observed males on most of the webs, too. I can't wait to see how many egg sacs they all turn out.

Argiope in the salvia 'Red Galeana' front yard

Argiope in the front yard turk's cap

  

Argiope near the back yard faux well

Shy Argiope near the back fence...she runs up her web when I approach