The Chapman's Blazing Star has already gone to seed., but the Small-leafed Liatris was just getting started. The Carphephoruous was in full bloom and was attracting several Gulf Fritillary butters.
The Balduina will be declining in a month or so, but still shows plenty of bright yellow along the trails.
I found a lone still blooming Bonamia.
The Bridges and Orzell's Blue Curls still has some blossoms. On the stem of some of the plants was the find of the day, It was a beetle called a Freckle-necked Kuschelina (Kuschelina thoracica) and it was the first time I had recorded it here in 20 years or so of surveying. It was also the first time this species had been reported on iNaturalist at a Lake Wales Ridge WEA as far as I can determine.
In addition to the flowers, I noticed that brush had been cut and left lying on the ground at one of the gates on the south side of the preserve's northern section. I may come in and remove it when I have time because it is a place I like to. park sometimes when I am doing blacklighting.
The alleged management of this place still mystifies me, but I have no say in it.
