Yikes! Lygodium arrives; attack plan under way

 I peeked into the small bayhead in one corner of the preserve to see whether the Habenaria floribunda were coming up. They were..

However, when I turned around to look at the fence line I spotted what I hope is only the beginning of a Lydodium  infestation.  I have plans to go back with some bags to see if I can collect it before it takes over.

This is the first time I've seen this pest plant here, though a couple of years ago I did observe a Lygodium Defoliator Moth  at my light in another section of the preserve and was wondering how far it had flown from its host plant.

Fall color is stunning this year

 The colors in the preserve this year are stunning. Although most of the Liatris has gone to seed, the Balduina, Carphephorous and Blue Curls are rife in places as is the Lopsided Indian Grass. The Scrub Blazing Star has declined, but is doing well in one remaining isolated patch. Mechanical management apparently took a toll on the other populations here. I also found a striking metallic wood-boring beetle.