Best guess would be Tragopogon sp., the salsifies, also known as goatsbeard! They have a neat polymorphism where seeds near the interior of the flowering head are smaller and better-suited for long-distance wind dispersal, while outer seeds and those that face downward are larger / less mobile

(10) Asarum sp. (possibly A. shuttleworthii, the largeflower heartleaf), in bloom. The heartleafs (family Aristolochiaceae) are sometimes considered to be their own segregate genus, Hexastylis. Flowers are purple/brown and smell like carrion, presumably an adaptation for fly pollination 🥰

*Correction: apparently Leptinotarsa do not actually have larval fecal shields. I was mistaking them for the similarly-named three-lined potato beetle (Lema daturaphila). But, the general phenomenon is still quite widespread in this beetle family.

(9) Krigia virginica (Virginia dwarf dandelion) capitulum with developing achenes (I think that's what these are?). Superficially this reminds me of the flower heads of Navarretia or Gilia.

(8) Nerodia sipedon (common watersnake) in a group on some river debris. This area got a lot of wind damage and flooding during Hurricane Helene back in September but not as bad as further east. Not sure what is happening in this photo -- maybe they form mating balls like some other snakes?

(7) Pyrularia pubera (buffalo nut), a hemiparasitic understory shrub in the Santalaceae (same family as the more familiar mistletoes). It apparently is a generalist in its host associations. In reading about it, I also learned that there are a few other shrubby genera in the family (e.g., Buckleya)

(6) Trillium vaseyi, endemic to western NC, SC, and northern GA (with a single disjunct population in AL). This species has among the largest flowers of any Trillium -- love the deep red / maroon color. The most common Trillium species in the area seems to be T. catesbaei.

(5) A nomad bee (Nomada sp.). Many species are kleoptoparasites of solitary ground-nesting bees like Andrena and are highly specialized, associating with only a single host. Nomada lack pollen-collecting hairs (scopae) on their hind-legs, as is true for other kleptoparasitic bees (e.g. Coelioxys).

(4) Leptinotarsa juncta (false potato beetle), seen here on Solanum carolinense (horsenettle). Like many chrysomelids, its larvae have fecal shields that probably serve as predator deterrents. Unlike its congener the Colorado potato beetle, this species is not considered an agricultural pest.

(3) Pseudothyris sepulchralis (mournful thyris moth), a really striking moth that is part of a family (Thyrididae) of primarily day-flying moths. The larval hosts are reported to be greenbriers (Smilax sp.); Pickens County, where I grew up, has about a dozen species of Smilax!

(2) First up: Magnolia fraseri (Fraser's magnolia), native to the southern Appalachians and a sliver of SC. Grows in moist soil and has some of the largest leaves of any temperate North American tree (regularly >18 inches in length).

(2/2) I think Ezra Klein understands the importance of the climate crisis and living on a finite planet. Building affordable housing and infrastructure (and a political coalition along with it) is part of the solution.

(1/2) Haven’t read the book yet, but am familiar with its central thesis. If progressive politics don’t allow for building a four story apartment building in San Francisco (much less CA high speed rail), how to advance a credible vision that addresses bigger problems like decarbonizing the economy?

Within 24 hr of posting this we’re back to -4C. Fuzzy friend may have jumped the gun

In reverent awe of @beemachine.bsky.social