I have a couple of grab-bag types of thing to share today. They’re basically just a couple of things that I noticed while outside and not specifically looking for anything.

I didn’t have my big camera with me so these were all taken with my smart phone. They’re always handy and can capture some great images.

First, is a cluster of Daddy Longlegs (Opiliones). They are also known as harvestmen and opilio is Latin for shepard. Everyone thinks they’re spiders, but they’re not, although they are arachnids. The bodies are only about 1/4 inch long and you can see their legs are quite long. The legs appear to be striped. It’s hard to tell whose legs are whom’s, but they manage to keep it straight.

Daddy Longlegs

This cluster was on the side of my house. They’re huddled on the rock exterior wall, near the porch ceiling. Not captured by the camera is the fact that the entire cluster vibrates in unison. It’s very eery. I don’t think it’s well-understood why they cluster like this. Maybe it’s for protection or to appear as a single, larger creature.

Next is a couple of photos of Antelope Horn (Asclepias asperula) seed pods. They are a species of milkweed (Asclepias). Antelope horns are native to Central Texas and are an important food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. If you see some, please don’t kill them or mow them down.

Both of these seed pods were on the same plant. The first one is still green.

The second one has turned brown and will soon burst open, releasing the cottony seeds to be dispersed by the wind.