Observations by laureldiaz12

I found this flower in the Guerrero Colorado River Park in the Riverside area of Austin. These flowers are very similar to hibiscus and are very important for nectar-eating organisms such as hummingbirds and butterflies. Also - their fruit tastes like apples!

These wasps make their nests by gathering fibers from dead wood and plant stems, and mixing it with their saliva to make a sort of paste. These nests are water-resistant and are made of this paper-like material (hence their name!)

Part of the morning glory family, the Alamo Vine is a perennial flower in the state of Texas and grows very fast across landscapes and obstacles such as walls. Its seeds are highly poisonous to wildlife.

I found this squirrel in the Riverside area of Austin. These squirrels are highly abundant in this area and in the state of Texas. Squirrels are omnivores, eating a wide range of organisms from nuts and fruits to insects.

I found this Springwater Dancer in Waller Creek at the University of Texas at Austin. Upon doing some research, I found out that the males are the bright blue color and females are actually pale brown. This is a real-life example of sexual dimorphism and how the males' bright color attracts females.

I found this poison ivy patch in Waller Creek at the University of Texas at Austin. Poison ivy is incredibly abundant throughout the entirety of the US, especially in the south and the east coast. After some research, I learned that the rash caused by these plants is due to a compound called urushiol. While this causes painful rashes on humans, it's primary purpose is to help the plant retain water, which is incredibly beneficial in the state of Texas.