It feels like I wrote about the first half of August such a long time ago. It wasn't that long ago. Funny part either way, not much has changed.
We recently got another .5 inch of rain. Downpours have stopped, but we have enough moisture that keep the skeeters buzzing. Which means, I am still wearing my head net daily. Yippee. It gets so hot outside that we seek respite inside. Animals included.
A mix of nature discoveries spotted here on Hidden Cactus Ranch, keeps me wondering.
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It was so nice for this small butterfly to hang around long enough for me to take a photo. It was slightly larger than the size of my thumbnail.
Pearl Crescent Butterfly
8.16.25
There are a few key spots in our woods that tend to foster oddities. They are worth a daily glance. Most of the land wonders I share randomly catch my attention. I usually don't search or look for specific things.
Where there are woods there are always trees down. Summer storms claimed a bunch. Along with Oak Wilt. Thanks to Brad, we can take our regular route in the pines again!
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Tank & Jameson
August skies were spec-tacular! Specifically the clouds. Views are magnificent from the safety of our West facing deck. Of course, photos do not do justice.
8.17.25
close-up
two completely different fungi, same piece of wood
(yellow popcorn to right of white)
Our grand dogs are showing their age. Me too. We savor our wooded walks together while we can.
Ever wondered why mushrooms grow in a circle and more so, why they are called Fairy Rings?!
"...mushrooms grow outward in a circular pattern from an original spore, and the mushrooms appear at the edge of this growing structure. The name "Fairy Ring" comes from an old folklore belief that the rings were formed by fairies dancing in a circle."
See, the whole fairy thing is not just me!!
small fairy ring
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white coral returns
false sunflower
Our son spotted tree frogs window frogs waaay up high near the ceiling. Surprise! Funny looking at them through a window from the inside. Every one stopped watching TV and started watching the frogs interactions. Nature's TV is the best!
8.20.25
(reflected wood is the underside of our deck roof)
The next couple mushrooms regrew in the same spot as previous shared. You may recognize them. The first one was not nearly as fun as finding a face planted duckling.
3rd time for these salted buttercups
Prior to seeing the multi-monarch delight in my butterfly garden, this lovely one stayed still long enough for me to get close with my phone.
Monarch
wild sky on 8.23.25
close-up
Every August day revealed more colorful leaves.
My lavender made it through the Winter and has been producing enough to pick little bouquets! I was pleasantly surprised to see a white lavender variety. Completely forgot I planted it late last year. I am enjoying the mixed colors and of course the relaxing scent!!
I had to look up the odd ball below. Thought it was a weird berry. I was wrong.
Oak Gall
Interesting cloud formation spanned the sky
Viceroy have intersecting lines crossing lower wings
I almost smacked face first into a fuzzy wonder. I've never seen one like this before. I found it so interesting that Blogger Marie spotted one the same week. We live in a completely different area's.
Hickory Tussock Moth
Bright orange circles caught my eye. I was walking in an area I haven't frequented much this Summer. The blood suckers are thick as thieves in the lowest parts of our property.
Orange Peel Fungus
Goldenrod brings similar color to late Summer.
8.26.25
Great Spangled Fritillary
table for two
top view
flocks of turkey are appearing regularly
They will go into hiding by hunting season.
8.31.25
6 comments:
Yes your cloudy Loon vibes does look like a Loon! You found some great fungi! I don't know which ones are safe to eat either so my husband just eats the grocery store mushrooms:)
Me too. I am not that daring. There are too many look-a-likes that make you sick, or worse. Even with Morels. Not worth the risk.
My fav mushrooms are Shiitake. The "salted buttercups" are actually Oyster Mushrooms, which can be found in a grocery store. Or in our woods. Ha ha!
You always find a way to capture the beauty around your home, even when it’s hard to be out there enjoying it. I bet those frogs were fun to watch. Love the mix of color in your lavender. I hadn’t heard of white lavender before this.
I love this time of year, the in between summer/autumn phase.
You have some colorful fungi- and yeah I am a leave them where you find them person too, except for morels.
White lavender is a new one to me too, does it smell the same? I miss my lavender plants.
We have a lot of fairy rings here on the vast expanse of our "lawn" .
Usually fall is great for fungi fun and slime mold beauties! I hope to be exploring more forests very soon.
The goopy bubbly stuff is most likely a slime mold! How fun and pretty they are.
Linda, the frogs were hilarious to watch. Almost as if they were doing a dance.
I did not know about white lavender until this plant. Glad I gave it a try. Varied color gives more depth to my little upside down mirror bouquets.
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Val, it is good to hear from you. You "sound" like you are doing okay.
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Yes Shirley, my white lavender smells just as good as the purple variety. I believe there are also pink ones. I am in a "which lavender grows best for me" trial faze. Currently trying a new one each year, mostly to replace. The blooms on the most recent plant grew yucky gray :/ I will give it another year, if it returns.
I could never get lavender to overwinter in our previous clay soil. So excited that some varieties have returned for me here in sand country. There are lavender farms in our general area. I need to go visit and learn more. I am really enjoying the blooms and plan on getting crafty. Wish I had kept better track of the varieties I've tried. If I was younger, I would grow a big ol' lavender patch!
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