Despite the very dry weather we’ve been having for the last month and a half, wildflowers such as Greenthread (Thelesperma Filifolium) are in their element right now. I admire their ability to thrive in very dry soils.Here Greenthread and chicory have chosen a cool spot  in the forgiving cool shade of a Live Oak.A close up of the Chicory (Chicorium Intybus). Interestingly this is not a native wildflower. It was introduced to Texas from Europe and is being included in many commercially available wildflower seed mixes. It is therefore well on it’s way of becoming more prevalent here. And it apparently loves the dry calcareous soils in my front yard. Hey, right now I am just grateful I am finding something that will tolerate my shallow, dry limestone soils!

It seems to be beetle season here in Central Texas. Despite or maybe because of the very dry spell, all beetles in the area have been crawling out of the earth toward shady shelters including the house. Usually we see the plain black ones but this one just was too beautiful to ignore. He is a Southwestern Ironclad Beetle, (Zopherus nodulosus).

The Texas Thistle (Cirsium texanum) is also blooming in our back yard right now. I just love it’s puffball blooms.

The bees and butterflies appreciate it too. It’s flower bud is equally as interesting…And staying on the theme of puffball looking things, these seed heads are everywhere right now. Since I am letting my backyard naturalize to see what will come up for the next year or two I am letting all of these wildflowers seed out.A surprising visitor in my front garden. I did not plant this beautiful annual, but I appreciate it showing up uninvited.