Honors 2360.01 Spring 2017

3/23/17

“What’s the Story Morning Glory?” is one of my favorite albums by the British band Oasis. You probably have heard their song Wonderwall. Again, I did not know what morning glories actually looked like until someone else identified these flowers. I never noticed how many references to nature pop culture makes to nature that I have never bothered to look up. I really like how these flowers grow a bit like vines. Even though I know they are weeds, I like the way they border the bleachers.

iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5450602

This unidentified flower has small yellow buds at the end of its thin stem. It reminded me of a flower that is an important plot device in a movie called Stardust. In the movie, a witch gives a man a flower that she says will give him good luck. It turns out that the flower is enchanted to ward off evil magic. I doubt this flower will provide the same effects, but its still comforting to see on the way to statistics class.

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5958197

I have no idea what kind of flower this is. I think it is really pretty though. There is something endearing about its circular shape. Its delicate petals are soft to the touch, and they emit a nice aroma. These are planted around the Holy Cross Seal, a fitting location for such a beautiful flower.

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5958422

I think this might be a Chinese Holly. I am 99% sure it is a holly in general though. This bush is the bane of every hyperactive 6-year-old, as it is less than forgiving towards those who accidentally fall into it. The tips of the leaves are sharp and prickly., and I get flashbacks sometimes when I see them. I am not sure if the berries are edible, but I should find out. They could be a great quick snack in between classes.

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5958073

These vines provide an elegant aesthetic to the sitting area outside of Moody Hall. I was sitting there before I took this picture, drinking a coffee. I looked up, and was struck by the beauty of the orange and red blooms. These trumpets will be blooming all summer long, no matter how hot it gets. I wish I could flourish in the heat like that.

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5958140

Sorin Oak serves as a beautiful example of the Texas Live Oak. These trees commonly grow upwards of 50 feet tall, with trunks of 4 feet in diameter or more. If you haven’t taken a moment to really visit Sorin Oak, I recommend it. There is something epic about this tree that really makes you realize how awesome nature can be. Its also a great place to think and reflect after a long day.

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5958112

Orange and black butterfly, still unidentified. I want to say it’s a Monarch Butterfly, going by the black corner of its wing speckled with white. But I’m overly cautious and the picture quality isn’t the best, so I’m leaving it for some other butterfly enthusiast to determine. I’m surprised I even snapped a photo of it, it wouldn’t sit still.

iNaturalist Observation

I was a little incredulous when someone on iNaturalist ID’d this as heavenly bamboo, but I realized why after I googled it. The leaves turn into a dark crimson during the Fall, and it really is dazzling. Interestingly, heavenly bamboo is classified as an invasive species on texasinvasives.org. Who knew a plant with such a nice name could be capable of displacing native species and disrupting plant communities?

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5958052

Fun Fact: Fox squirrels were an important source of meat for European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries. Luckily that practice grew out of style, because these are truly the cutest animals on campus. I found this squirrel in the middle of a showdown with a grackle. When I left, they were still completely still, staring at each other.

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5958178

Even though I read To Kill a Mockingbird in eighth grade and that story has stayed with me for the past eight years of my life, I never knew what a mockingbird looked like until this day. I am not sure why I never bothered to look this up. Perhaps because I was never forced to for any class or anything, I only familiarized myself with cardinals, grackles, gold finches, doves, and house wrens. I found this mockingbird walking towards the soccer field from the grotto. I had seen these birds around campus before, but I didn’t know they were mockingbirds. I tried to hear its call, but it wasn’t making any noise at the time. It was also difficult to capture this bird in a picture. It kept hopping from branch to branch. I quickly snapped this as it jumped to the ground before it flew away.

iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5434171