Honeysuckle Seed Pods

I checked on the native honeysuckle and found these darling seed pods.

There were at least 6 or 7 on this vine. 

Great Horned Owl August

Taken by steps August 23 2023

Wendy Simmons Ploegman

 

Pretty Moth

Don't know if this is a moth or butterfly.

It was in the bedroom.

Found this one on the windowsill in the bedroom, dead. 

Fall Colors in the Preserve

On the back stretch colors seem to change first here.

At the Schmitz Ct. Entrance.

Blue sky, but smoke nearby also. 

Apple Tree in Preserve

Apples are plentiful. 

But not ripe. 

Mardon Skipper Butterflies

 Skippers are a group of butterflies placed in the family Hesperiidae within the order Lepidoptera. 

The mardon skipper population size is low and declining. This skipper is currently found at only four, small, geographically disjunct areas in Washington, Oregon, and California. It is one of five butterflies in the Skipper Family recognized as "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" throughout their ranges due to the small number of isolated populations, specialized and restricted habitat, and known threats to their habitat. Research is needed to better understand threat factors and specific habitat requirements, such as vegetation structure, food plant size and density, and other key habitat features.

Reported to WA F&WL Today. 

Native Grass, Forbs and Epiphytic Species

 

An epiphyte is a plant or plant-like organism that grows on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phorophytes.

Wasp Nest

Finally spotted this wasp nest in the Preserve.

These look like black wasps.

 

Acorns

These are all from the tree in the triangle. 

The tree at the end of Eagledale is loaded with large acorns.

August 7. 

Trees along the trail August 8.