Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit
I took a trip to Cooper Lake State Park from Monday through Wednesday and made a few interesting observations!
I got to the park around 12:30PM Monday, October 2. I was able to check in early, which was great - I was able to take in Coyote Run Trail with only partly cloudy conditions. The first 3/4 of a mile was charred. Quite a bit of the park was burnt, actually, but it was long enough ago for plant life to rebound. I had to get some observation time in since I knew that Tuesday, my only full day there, would be rainy.
On Tuesday, the rain came around 9 AM or so and lasted until maybe 1 PM. The ground was wet early, so it must've rained overnight. I was able to enjoy a belted kingfisher from my cabin window - watching it quickly dive into the lake from the rocks and emerge with small breakfast items. After that first round of storms came through, I was able to enjoy the park despite the extreme humidity and occasional light drizzle. The sun even came out a few times. The humidity, though - as soon as I brought my camera to my face, my glasses would fog up! So getting good shots was still difficult, but I managed a few. Heavy rains and storms came again around 7 and lasted a good while, but I was back in my cabin and settled in by then.
Wednesday was pack up and leave day. I still caught sight of a greater roadrunner while loading my car. It was tough, though, because my camera wasn't acclimated yet to the warmth and I had a heck of a time keeping the moisture off of the lens. I didn't get much on the last day...
Unfortunately I did not get a bug light set up. The light I bought didn't come with a power cord despite it being listed on the box, and I didn't realize this until the night before!
The cabin was awesome. Air conditioning, beds with linens and pillows, a patio overlooking the lake, electricity with a microwave and a refrigerator, and more space than my apartment. I might consider going back!
@sambiology @dfwuw
https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/daniel112/2017/10/2
https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/daniel112/2017/10/3
https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/daniel112/2017/10/4
Observations
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Junipers (Genus Juniperus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Possumhaw (Ilex decidua)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Shelf Fungi (Order Polyporales)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
Underside of this fungus was completely black. I could not get a good photo, even with flash.
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Billbug Weevils (Genus Sphenophorus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis ssp. astyanax)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Interrupted Spider Wasp (Poecilopompilus interruptus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Autumn Yellow-winged Grasshopper (Arphia xanthoptera)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Goatweed Leafwing (Anaea andria)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona crucifera)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Inland Wood Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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American Asters (Genus Symphyotrichum)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Nuptial Scorpionfly (Panorpa nuptialis)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Eastern Gemmed-Satyr (Cyllopsis gemma)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Nuptial Scorpionfly (Panorpa nuptialis)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Crab Spiders (Family Thomisidae)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Palmer's Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Alydus eurinusObserver
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Katydids (Family Tettigoniidae)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Spinybacked Orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Sweet Everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers (Genus Melanoplus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Wrinkled Grasshopper (Hippiscus ocelote)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Boll's Grasshopper (Spharagemon bolli)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Lupine Bug (Megalotomus quinquespinosus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Four-spotted Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla quadriguttata)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Greenbottle Flies (Genus Lucilia)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Common Picture-winged Fly (Delphinia picta)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Carpenter Ants, Typical Sugar Ants and Allies (Genus Camponotus)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Marsh Elders (Genus Iva)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Katydids (Family Tettigoniidae)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea)Observer
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Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Genus HypenaObserver
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Osage-Orange (Maclura pomifera)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Common Green Darner (Anax junius)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
I watched this one fish off of the rocks from my cabin window.
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Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Snow-on-the-Prairie (Euphorbia bicolor)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Lindheimer's Doveweed (Croton lindheimeri)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Velvetbean Caterpillar Moth (Anticarsia gemmatalis)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Peppervine (Nekemias arborea)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Skippers (Family Hesperiidae)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Pure Green Sweat Bee (Augochlora pura)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Knotweeds, Smartweeds, and Waterpeppers (Genus Persicaria)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Clouded Skipper (Lerema accius)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Green Heron (Butorides virescens)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Whirligig Beetles (Family Gyrinidae)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
When they all move in unison, it looks like something large is swimming in the water.
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White Morning-Glory (Ipomoea lacunosa)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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American Nursery Web Spider (Pisaurina mira)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
Not sure what it's eating...
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American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Bladder Pod (Sesbania vesicaria)Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
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Observer
daniel112Description
Spent a few days in Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit.
Comments
Wow! This is some really great stuff, Daniel. You snagged quite a few new life species too -- great job! :)
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