I saw the bug fly up just as I was about to click the shutter. I actually got him in the first image, but this was the better of the two.

Oh, I like this shot! Photos with critters on flowers are wonderful!

Flower is some species of fleabane. Can't tell about the bee.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erigeron

This brick work is spectacular. I wish people would take this kind of time and effort now, we have better tools and less skill.

Interesting about birch. Had not heard that. Hope I can find that in my old brain when/if I need it!

Here is an interesting poison ivy info. link I ran across. Not sure how much is useful info. but interesting anyway.

http://medicinebow.net/media/articles-written-by-mark-warren/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-poison-ivy-but-were-afraid-to-touch/

Hello Bill: Yeah, most bike tourists are too busy chattering like a bunch of magpies to notice their nose in front of their face. Why I despise group tours. On the way out, I was "following" a group of 5 folks I had met in Sedalia. A bunch of magpies if ever there was such a group. I stopped quite often on that day between Sedalia and Boonville. Those guys waited for me about three times. By the afternoon, the light was too much overhead for any good images, so I bumped up the assist level to 2 and cruised away from them.

Most of the close up images are the best of several attempts. I knew about jewelweed for poison ivy, but had never seen it before. Now I know what it looks like. New birch tree leaves/shoots are supposed to be good for poison ivy as well. Put a bunch of fresh twigs/leaves in a cup of boiled water & let steep. Use the boiled leaves/twigs as a poultice.

Female box turtle.

You can tell it is female because males have red eyes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box_turtle

Sounds like you already know that you can crush jewelweed and rub it on poison ivy rash to help reduce the itch.

Glad to intrude with my nature info. I enjoy finding touring journals that have nature photos! Not many cycle tourists notice nature, let alone take photos, let alone post them. I know how hard that is from personal experience. Lack of time/internet/energy, etc. Thanks for your efforts!

Bill: I had no idea that was jewelweed. Good to know, because all too many of the shady areas are covered with poison oak/ivy. All I saw was the abundance of yellow flowers and the unusual shape of the plant. Also, thanks for the comment about the turtle and the other daisy looking wildflower.

Congratulations on making it to St, Charles, Paul. Take a good rest before you start home.

Great macro shot of yellow jewelweed!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_pallida

Looks like some kind of a sunflower. Species is likely Jerusalem artichoke.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_artichoke

Cute little red eared slider!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-eared_slider

Hi Paul, just wanted to tell you about 20 miles or so south of Sedalia is a town called Cole Camp. Then east of that is a town called Versailles. We have a couple of "Holdeman Mennonite" settlements in those two communities. I have a few relatives and some friends there. Wishing you continued good luck. Ken.

I enjoy all the photos you post Paul. A picture is worth a thousand words. It's almost like riding with you. Good job. Ken

Good job Paul, keep up the good work!