More Curious Findings

 Thanks to Regina and Marlene for this week's curious findings.  Happy hunting for more sightings this weekend! 

Marlene spotted this insect and noted it looks very strange for a honey bee. Great observation.  This is a bee mimic... a Hover fly (Allograpta oblique).  You can read more about them here: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/Creatures/beneficial/hover_fly.htm

Photo by Marlene Woods: Hover Fly

 

 

Regina reported a number of curious things, starting with a blue mushroom, Lactaruis indigo, commonly called the Indigo Milk Cap.  More information here: https://www.mushroomexpert.com/lactarius_indigo.html

 

Photo by Regina Flora: Indigo Milk Cap

 

 

Top that with these curious tiny mushrooms, called Yellow Unicorn Mushrooms (Entoloma murrayi).    https://www.mushroomexpert.com/entoloma_murrayi.html  

Photo by Regina Flora: Yellow Unicorn Mushrooms

 

Check out this snail!  Note that land snails are different than aquatic snails.  I found an interesting article here: https://www.snail-world.com/

 

 

Photo by Regina Flora: snail

 

 And now, for some curious flowers.  I recognized this one immediately.  I (shamefully) have these in abundance along the start of my driveway.  They have a very sweet aroma you can smell from quite a distance. 

Photo by Regina Flora: Kudzu flower

 

 

And finally, the Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) fruits are now putting on a show.  This tree is native to the mountain region of Virgninia.  You can read more here: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-acuminata/ 

 

Photo by Regina Flora: Cucumber Magnolia