Week 26 observations
6.25.25
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
Observed most days on Galveston Island. They are native to the area and are a common sight year round. Populations live from North America to South America with so vagrant populations in Europe. Northernmost groups will migrate south for the winter.
They are usually active during the day but during breeding season will also be active at night, busy foraging. They are susceptible to toxins and pollutants since they have a wide range of feeding habitats.
They are monogamous and will stay with the same mate for several breeding seasons. They both build the nest and incubate the eggs. The female will lay a clutch of 2-4 eggs and once the eggs hatch the adults will remove the shells from the nest.
#laughinggull #Leucophaeusatricilla #citizenscience #native #gull #bird #nature #outdoors #june #june25 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day176
6.26.25
Metallic Bluish-green Cuckoo Wasp
Chrysis angolensis
Observed 6.26.25 at Galveston Island State Park. They are not native but are found worldwide excluding Antarctica. They are invasive but not considered pests since they contribute with pollination.
They are kleptoparasitic meaning they lay their eggs in the nest of a different species of wasp or bee. The cuckoo wasp larvae will eat the other wasp larvae, stored food and eggs. They have also adapted to this by having a hard exoskeleton that protects them from the host insect and some can even mimic the odor of the host insect to better blend in.
The striking color comes from structural coloration that is similar to the indigo bunting in that it has microscopic structures that refract light instead of having pigment.
#metallicbluishgreencuckoowasp #Chrysisangolensis #citizenscience #nonnative #invasive #cosmopolitan #insect #wasp #nature #outdoors #june #june26 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day177
6.27.25
Chestnut Bolete
Gyroporus castaneus
Observed 6.22.25 at Galveston Island State Park. It is native to Europe and the Eastern half of North America, including Texas, but is typically not going to be found on Galveston. It prefers oak trees to thrive and I did find this one under some of the live oaks at the park.
I didn’t get a spore sample on this one but they will leave a pale yellow print.
As it matures the stem becomes hollow and this mushroom does not bruise.
It is edible but again, I’m a novice so I’m not trying it in case I incorrectly identified it.
#chestnutbolete #Gyroporuscastaneus #citizenscience #native #mushroom #fungus #nature #outdoors #june #june27 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day178
6.29.25
Whitemouth Dayflower
Commelina erecta
Observed 6.20.25 in my sister’s yard in Cleburne. It is native to Africa, Western Asia, South and North America including Texas. The plant can survive in various habitats and the strong root system can help with soil erosion control.
The flowers usually only live for a few hours in the morning, hence the name. The bright blue of the flowers attracts pollinators which supports local biodiversity.
The young shoots or leaves, seeds and flowers are edible but it’s always good to use caution. It has the potential use medicinally as well and culinary.
#whitemouthdayflower #Commelinaerecta #citizenscience #native #wildflower #dayflower #nature #outdoors #june #june29 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day180
6.30.25
Green-striped Grasshopper
Chortophaga viridifasciata
Observed at Galveston Island State Park 6.12.25. The native range is from Canada to Costa Rica. They prefer grassy areas that are sunny yet moist. They mainly feed on the grass or forbs or flowering plant.
They can be green (usually female) or brown (usually male) and this is called color polymorphism.
They are one of the first grasshopper species to emerge in the spring from being eggs or larvae that overwintered.
The males are slightly smaller than the females. Females will have multiple broods per year, this was found to happen in the Southeastern US.
#Greenstripedgrasshopper #Chortophagaviridifasciata #citizenscience #native #grasshopper #insect #nature #outdoors #june #june30 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day181
7.1.25
Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides
Observed in my parent’s backyard in Cleburne 6.19.25. Its native range extends from central Canada and down to Mexico and all through the central plains states of the US.
It gets its name, Buffalograss, from being the primary food source for buffalo in the past.
It is a drought tolerant grass that grows in the warm seasons. The root go deep which help it get through long periods without water. Those deep roots also help prevent soil erosion.
The male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The female flowers are hidden down low in the leaves and the male flowers stand out above and look like combs (pictured on the right).
#buffalograss #Boutelouadactyloides #citizenscience #native #grass #flora #nature #outdoors #july #july1 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day182
