Texas Prairie Fox

Juniper Jumper

We have watched her all fall and into the winter. This was taken in the fall while she visited a nearby Eryngo plant.

Jumping Spider Nest

We found this one on the Eryngo plants in the back prairie.

Argiope Nursery Sac

Argiope - Yellow Garden Spider

Spider Nest

This one was attached to a Honey Mesquite tree branch.

Green Lynx Spider

This one attached her nursery sac to a Prairie Flame Sumac branch. She protected them until they were gone.

Jumping Spider

This one was very curious about me.

Banded Garden Spider

Argiope trifasciata or Banded Garden Spider is a rare site for us. They are beautiful and great for the garden.

Jumping Spider

This one was out for a stroll on the concrete statue. It was a warm day for winter.

Eastern Screech Owl

This one is in the nesting box now. Hopefully, we will have owlets in the spring.

Eastern Screech Owl

A wonderful discovery on our front porch. No sweeping today.

Eastern Screech Owl Pellet

The remains of dinner.

Leaf Cutter Bee

Very important pollinators of wildflowers, fruits and vegetables. Non-aggressive.

Goldenrod Crab Spider

Banded Sphinx Moth

Larval Host Plants: Evening primrose, grape, Virginia Creeper & water purselane.

Pearl Crescent

Larval Host Plants: Asters

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Larval Host Plant: Prickly Ash/Hercules' Club Plants in the parsley and rue families.

Queen Butterfly

Larval Host Plant: Milkweeds, Dogbane and Bloodflower

Painted Lady Butterfly

Larval Host Plants: Thistles, Mallow, Legumes and Hollyhocks American Basket Flower

Goldenrod Crab Spider

Misumena vatia or yellow crab spider can change from white or yellow to pale green or pink, depending on its surroundings. Prairie Verbena Flower

Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar

Larval Host Plants: Passion Vines Euptoieta claudia catepillar munching on Stiffstem Flax

Queen Butterflies

Larval Host Plants: Milkweeds These butterflies are waiting their turn for Gregg's Mistflower. They also use Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora), Beggar's tick (Bidens alba), and native Lantana (Lantana involucrata, Lantana depressa or L. canescens).

Polyphemus Moth Cocoon

Antheraea polyphemus We found this in the fall leaf litter. One of the largest silk moths in North America, with wingspans ranging from 4 to 6 inches.

Monarch Butterfly

Larval Host Plants: Milkweeds This butterfly was on a Dianthus plant at the garden center.

Common Buckeye Butterfly

Larval Host Plants: Plantains, False foxglove and Toadflax Beautiful new Buckeye on liatris in September.

Bordered Patch Caterpillar

Larval Host Plants: Sunflowers, Crownbeards, Cockleburs and Ragweed

Bordered Patch Butterfly

Larval Host Plants: Sunflowers, Crownbeards, Cockleburs and Ragweed

Monarch Butterfly Cocoon

Larval Host Plants: Milkweeds

Queen Butterfly

Larval Host Plant: Milkweeds, Dogbane and Bloodflower

Bumblebee

These are hard to identify the specific bee. Please use the link for information.

Jumping Spider

This might be the Regal Jumping spider. A sign of a healthy garden.

Green Tree Frog

Use the link for more information on the identification of green tree frogs.

Lepoard Frog

Use the link for more identification on the lepoard frogs in Texas.

Bumblebee

This one fascinated us because of the long beautiful abdomen. Possibly a Golden Northern Bumblebee. Use the link for more information.

Click Beetle/Wireworm

We don't often see these fascinating beetles. Use the link for more information on beetles in Texas.

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Larval Host Plant: Prickly Ash/Hercules' Club Plants in the parsley and rue families.

Red Admiral Butterfly

Larval Host Plants: All members of the nettles family.

Texas Brown Trantula

We might see this at the end of summer or early fall. They are usually just moving along and are not a pest.