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3812-07. Delicate, fuzzy emergence of new oak foliage in early spring, backlit to highlight its soft pink and green hues. Below the newly unfolding, distinctly lobed leaves dangle the tree s string-like catkins--the male flower clusters that release pollen just as the canopy breaks dormancy. Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026Similar picturesLarge thumbnails | Use small thumbnails | View as slideshow |
 Several rust-colored, spiky-bodied ants can be seen navigating the deeply furrowed bark of an oak tree, acting as a miniature logging crew. Some of the ants are carrying entire green, beaded oak catkins--the tree s string-like flower clusters--while one prominently hoists a freshly cut, bright green section of an oak leaf in its jaws. The ants carry these heavy loads hoisted high over their heads, a posture that resembles someone carrying a sunshade. These are Texas leafcutter ants (Atta texana), a highly destructive but fascinating native species also known as the "town ant" or "parasol ant" due to their unique carrying technique. They climb high into the canopies of oaks and other trees to use their powerful, scissor-like mandibles to slice away fresh foliage, preferring new, tender, high-water-content growth like young leaves and spring catkins. Working in massive, organized trails, a large colony can entirely strip the leaves from a small- to medium-sized tree in a single night, and they frequently travel hundreds of feet from their underground nests to find a suitable harvest. Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Unfolding leaves of honey locust on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Some green leaves on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Live oak catkins on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Delicate flower of white prickly poppy (Argemone albiflora) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 4, 2021  Leaves of hickory(?) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Fresh leaves of live oak on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Flower of bluebonnet (Lupinus) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Flower bud of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Flower buds of squaw-weed (Senecio ampullaceus) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Yellow flower of denseflower bladderpod (Lesquerella densiflora) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  A miniature procession of rust-colored ants traverses the deeply grooved, dry bark of an oak tree. In the center foreground, one ant acts as the focal point, hoisting a freshly cut, bright green slice of an oak leaf high above its head. Because the leaf fragment curves directly over the ant s body like a small green canopy, it perfectly illustrates why this species is often nicknamed the "parasol ant". Surrounding this central figure, three other ants march in the same direction, each carrying large, beaded green oak catkins gripped tightly in their mandibles. These are Texas leafcutter ants (Atta texana), a native species famous for its highly organized and destructive foraging behavior. Working in massive, coordinated trails that can span hundreds of feet, worker ants climb into the canopies of oaks and other trees to systematically slice away fresh, tender vegetation. The workers possess powerful jaws capable of cutting through leaves and flowers with remarkable speed, allowing a large colony to completely strip the foliage from a small tree in a single night. Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Flower spike of showy blue star (Amsonia illustris) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Early spring growth of Berchemia scandens, commonly known as Alabama supplejack or rattan vine. The backlit perspective isolates the young foliage against a dark background, highlighting the bright, translucent green of the newly emerged leaves. At this time of year, these native vines are actively putting out fresh growth as they begin their seasonal climb through the local understory. Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2026  Flower of meadow pink (Sabatia campestris) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 26, 2020  Flower of meadow pink (Sabatia campestris) on a field on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 26, 2020  Green leaves of pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 4, 2021  Backlit flower of violet ruella (Ruellia caroliniensis) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, July 14, 2019  Shoot of soapberry on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Some spurge (Euphorbia sp.) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Oaks and bushes on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Corn salad (Valerianella) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Frequently flooded area on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Green leaves of water-primrose (Ludwigia) on a shore of Flag Pond at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 4, 2021  Pink phlox flowers at Lake Somerville Trailway under oaks near Flag Pond, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Toad flax (Linaria texana) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Woolly-white (Hymenopappus artemisiaefolius) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Top view of a growing thistle (Cirsium) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Small skullcap (Scutellaria parvula) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Death camas (Zigadenus nuttallii) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Flowers of corn salad (Valerianella) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Focusing closer, the photograph reveals the intricate, densely packed structure of the cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) as it colonizes the dried mud. The plants exhibit a vibrant, fleshy appearance, characterized by deeply lobed, shiny green leaves that vaguely resemble flat-leaf parsley or young celery--giving the plant its alternate name, the celery-leaved buttercup. In this dense thicket, the stout, hollow stems branch frequently, creating a tangled, multi-layered canopy. Tiny, five-petaled pale yellow flowers dot the upper stems, standing out brightly against the dark backdrop of the soil and the deeper green foliage below. Flag Pond near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Young leaf of peppervine (Ampelopsis arborea) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Blooming small skullcap (Scutellaria parvula) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Showy blue star (Amsonia illustris) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Flowers of woolly-white (Hymenopappus artemisiaefolius) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Flowers of tansy mustard (Descurainia pinnata) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Narrow green leaves of a plant of mustard family on Lake Somerville Trailway in area of Newman Bottom near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 2, 2021  Flower of white prickly poppy (Argemone albiflora) with a green metallic beetle at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 4, 2021  Blue flowers of small skullcap (Scutellaria parvula) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Blooming showy blue star (Amsonia illustris) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Dry oak skeletons in a frequently flooded area near Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2026  Flowers of showy blue star (Amsonia illustris) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Yellow foliage of oaks near Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, November 21, 2020  Cluster of flowers of showy blue star (Amsonia illustris) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Pale colored phenotype of small skullcap (Scutellaria parvula) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Seed head of squaw-weed flowers (Senecio ampullaceus)(?) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Close-up of flowers of showy blue star (Amsonia illustris) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Pillow like green mat of terrestrial water-starwort (Callitriche terrestris) with tiny leaves on a shore of Flag Pond at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 4, 2021  Remains of a bridge across Yegua Creek damaged by flooding on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Some shoots with lanceolate leaves at Lake Somerville Trailway under oaks near Flag Pond, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 26, 2023  Rosette of leaves of some aquatic plant on shores of Flag Pond at Lake Somerville Trailway, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Leaves of bluebonnet (Lupinus) with some whitish fungus(?) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Flag Pond, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Bluebonnet (Lupinus) with wilted leaves because of some whitish fungus(?) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Flag Pond, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Young leaves of water-primrose (Ludwigia) on shores of Flag Pond at Lake Somerville Trailway, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Leaves of tansy mustard (Descurainia pinnata) at Lake Somerville Trailway under oaks near Flag Pond, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Glossy leaves of water-primrose (Ludwigia) on shores of Flag Pond at Lake Somerville Trailway, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Rosettes of leaves and flower spikes of brookweed (water cabbage, Samolus valerandi) on wet soil on a shore of Flag Pond at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 4, 2021  Young leaves of bluebonnet (Lupinus) with some small white spots at Lake Somerville Trailway near Flag Pond, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Meadow pink (Sabatia campestris) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 26, 2020  Leaves of woolly-white (Hymenopappus artemisiaefolius) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 21, 2026  Anglepod Milkvine (Gonolobus suberosus) is a native climbing milkweed recognized by its heart-shaped leaves and distinctive five-angled seed pods. The striking yellow mosaic highlights its intricate veins due to a condition called chlorosis. Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2026  Two-flower melic grass (Melica mutica) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 21, 2026  Basal leaves of woolly-white (Hymenopappus artemisiaefolius) in dew on Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 21, 2026  Flower buds of squaw-weed (Senecio ampullaceus) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 21, 2026  Tiny leaves of terrestrial water-starwort (Callitriche terrestris) together with balloonwort on shores of Flag Pond at Lake Somerville Trailway, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Mat of terrestrial water-starwort (Callitriche terrestris) with tiny leaves on a muddy shore of Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 10, 2021  Highway of leaf-cutting ants surrounded by cut leaves of Yaupon holly at Lake Somerville Trailway under oaks near Flag Pond, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Basal leaf of stemless evening primrose (Oenothera triloba) with purple spots of spring dieback caused by a fungus Septoria oenotherae near Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 10, 2021  Winter rosette of stemless evening primrose (Oenothera triloba) with purple spots of spring dieback caused by a fungus Septoria oenotherae near Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 10, 2021  Close-up of a green snake on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, September 22, 2024  Green mosses on rocks at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 26, 2023  Male and female flowers of Cherokee sedge (Carex cherokeensis) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2020  Green leaves of Yaupon holly collected by Texas leaf cutting ants (Atta texana) under oaks on Lake Somerville Trailway in area of Newman Bottom near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 2, 2021  Large highway of leaf-cutting ants surrounded by cut leaves of Yaupon holly at Lake Somerville Trailway under oaks near Flag Pond, near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 8, 2023  Terrestrial water-starwort (Callitriche terrestris) with tiny leaves and fruits on a muddy shore of Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 10, 2021  Curly green moss on sandstone at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 26, 2023  Green moss on a sandstone rock at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 14, 2024  Green moss in a dry rocky site at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 26, 2023  Shoot of western soapberry tree (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 21, 2026  Green mats of Texas balloonwort (Sphaerocarpos texanus) on a muddy shore of Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 10, 2021  Male flowers of eastern swamp privet (Forestiera acuminata var. vestita) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2020  Yucca leaves on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 21, 2023  Green lynx spider with an egg sack on partridge pea on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, September 12, 2021  Small spider eating a big green grasshopper on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, September 12, 2021  Green lynx spider with a moth on sumpweed on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, September 12, 2021  Green Cladonia lichen and mosses on rocks at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 26, 2023  Close-up of green Cladonia lichen on rocks at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 26, 2023  Head of a green snake on a seedling of red cedar on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, September 22, 2024  Green lynx spider on its nest on partridge pea on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, September 12, 2021  Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, September 22, 2024  Leaves of Carolina bristlemallow (Modiola caroliniana) with blister-like pustules of rust fungus Puccinia modiolae near Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 10, 2021  Close up of male flowers of eastern swamp privet (Forestiera acuminata var. vestita) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 14, 2020  Leaves of mesquite bush (Prosopis) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 4, 2021  Young narrow leaves of some bush at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 4, 2021  Mat of a semi-aquatic plant terrestrial water-starwort (Callitriche terrestris) with tiny leaves on a muddy shore of Flag Pond on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 10, 2021  Blue flower of spiderwort (Tradescantia) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 26, 2023  Flower bud of thistle Cirsium texanum on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 26, 2020 |