Bee works during compost tour

A tiny bee works to pollinate a wildflower near a compost bin at St. David's Community Garden. The bee worked while a group of city officials and activists attended a compost tour to raise support for curbside composting in Austin.

Photos from the tour

KXAN | Compost tour spreads awareness of local composting efforts

Wildflower blooms on rock face

An unidentified wildflower blooms on the porous rock face that lines Bull Creek's south bank.

Wildflowers fade

Indian paintbrush, Castilleja indivisa, fade in karst landscape at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Tiny wildflowers

Underfoot, hidden from view, these tiny wildflowers are easy to overlook, but provide an essential to pollinators and help rains seep into the subsoil. Up close, they are beautiful.

Pom pom wildflower

Industrial parks are among my favorite places to take my dogs to fetch. After hours, there are no people and all are required by law to keep a green space to help slow runoff after rains. These fields often grow lovely wildflowers. Here's one I've never seen before.

Yellow bee

A bee covered in pollen buzzes frantically from flower to flower in a patch of firewheel a.k.a Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella).

More than a drink

As a bee drinks nectar from a wine cup blossom, large white granules of pollen stick to her back.

Pollen bee

A bee speckled with pollen approaches a wildflower.

Dent de lion

Dandelion seed puffs are so magical, transforming me into a kid eager to watch the promise of more flowers float away on the breeze.

Mexican mint marigold seeds

I find collecting seeds very satisfying. Witnessing nature first hand and the promise each seed holds for tomorrow makes me happy. Clockwise from left, dried Mexican mint marigold flowers, empty sepal, petals, and precious seeds.

Lantana frame

No matter how dreary, wet, or cold, Kimbo loves to fetch. On a side note, I'm surprised the lantana is still in bloom. Must be the deep leaf littler and rich pet poop compost.

Wildflower explorer

A tiny ant explores the intersection of a lantana leaf and blue sage stem.

Monarchs in the yard

This was the first year I planted milkweed in the yard. It didn't take long for monarch caterpillars to appear. The beautiful monarch caterpillars are quickly gaining size as they eat the milkweed. 

Turk's cap fruit

I had no idea Turk's caps make fruit! Looks like a tiny tomato.

 I found the taste faintly of watermelon close to the rind with the fresh, clean finish of cucumber. The fruit has 3 sections, each with a relatively large seed inside covered with crumbly white flesh. I didn't expect the seeds to be sharp. It would take a LOT to make a preserve or tea, but I may try if I find a whole bunch.

Read more at Wild Edible Texas: Turk's Cap

Poppy blooms

I've never grown poppy before, but this beauty came in a packet of wildflower seeds and is absolutely gorgeous. Such delicate papery petals remind me of a whirling dervish. An equally delicate stem armored with fine thorns makes for a stunning contrast.  

Wildflower kindling

Wildflowers aren't just pretty, they are also useful for kindling.

Elusive whitebonnet

The elusive whitebonnet, a rare variety of bluebonnet, photographed near the entrance of Turkey Bend park.

Chickweed at UMLAUF

Chickweed thrives at UMLAUF Sculpture Garden

Halloween camping safari

While camping on Halloween at Lake Georgetown, I took a hike to see what I could find.

 

Goldenrod

Goldenrod, that tall, densely blooming wildflower, produces showy blooms that resemble furry fingers from afar.