04-25-18 Field Note

Spring has finally arrived with a vivid display of early bloomers, such as these shooting stars

While vascular plants awaken and burst forth, biocrust continues its slow growth.

Woodland star attracts a pair of mating beetles

An ant traverses crater lichen

After months of grey skies and brown hills, yellowbells set the slopes ablaze

Star moss emerges through felt lichen’s undulating thallus

This diminutive felt lichen usually grows smaller than a fingernail

Slender phlox is also known as pink twink

This jumping spider’s hairs mirror the hairs of senesced lupine seedpods for a perfect camouflage.

pretty flower