We've had a string of unusually warm days (80's) with full sunshine. A cold front is coming through this afternoon and the temperatures will drop 20 degrees.
Left: the bumblebee was intent on the liatris (blazing star) as I snapped several photos.
A 2' long eastern fox snake was crossing the path. It curled up when I stomped. The snake is not venomous. It warns predators off by shaking its tail to mimic a rattlesnake. I saw the behavior as it swished the gravel on the path. Then it slithered into the undergrowth.
I found another fringed gentian ...
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