Fall Moments...

Well, it's gotten busy again. But, I can still post every now and then. This Oak is from out on Missouri Southern State University's lawn. It reminds me of the good times I've had there.

I thought I'd share a few seasonal links with you and bring up some topics for discussion.

The first link is the official times for the first frosts in Missouri. NOAA Climatology
It always amazes me that different trees start turning at different times. Right now, the maples are just turning a bit yellow and the sassafrases have some tinges of orange around these parts.

The second link is one that surprises me that it actually exists.
Missouri Conservationist Fall Guide
Is that not just plain awesome? There are definitely some great views to see in Missouri. This site ought to help you find the right one for you!

The third thought is that I've been thinking lately of getting a better bicycle and riding around the state sites some. One of my overall goals in life is to see every state park and trail. I also want to start getting a bit fitter and do my part in keeping the environment clean. A bike fits this well, and I was wondering if anyone else around these parts has had similar thoughts.

And, the fourth and final thought for this post is that I've seen a lot of tossed out trash lately alongside the roadways. People either seem to be getting sloppier or just lazy. I don't know which, but it bugs me.

Take care, folks!

Katydids at Night...

At night, when the moon is high and the summer breeze sweeps the land, one might hear a familiar sound. Sometimes it's loud and annoying, but mostly it's just another background noise adding to the atmosphere and excitement of being outdoors.

I took these pictures of two different Katydids singing their mating song. Well, singing isn't accurate. It's more like they are vibrating. These are located on the hind angles of the front wings. If you look carefully, you'll see the opening in the back of the first Katydid which allows the sound to focus in a straight line. While you're able to hear it in any direction, the sound is much more precise if you are just above it or just to the side. Oh, and as local lore has it, these little guys (and they are guys since only the males call out for their mates) are making sounds like Kat-ee-did. Thus, they are called Katydids.

They are also known as True Katydids.

Scientific name:
Pterophylla camellifolia

For something new, I decided to record the song they are producing and upload it to the Internet. This is an intermittent song, varying little in pitch or tempo. This was produced by the second Katydid pictured.
Katydid Sounding Out

I'm using a new file hosting site, and I've yet to test it thoroughly. (The last site I used just closed.) So, if you have problems downloading this .mp3 file, please let me know. I believe you have to set up a free account to download it, but I haven't seen anything bad yet. Any feedback would help. Thank you!

Red or Purple Deadnettle

Whichever name you choose to give this little plant, it's probably appropriate. This is a naturalized plant to Missouri. It is common throughout Europe and Asia, but it has made itself home here in the United States. Some people see this plant as an invasive species, because it will take over cultivated land quickly. Mostly it's seen just on the fringe edges of yards and fields where it isn't disturbed regularly.

Scientific name:
Lamium purpureum

P.S.
Thanks for the big welcome back, everybody! I'll try to keep up the pace as the semester progresses, but it all depends on what I have to do.