Chickadee singing its spring song this morning as the snow fell.

Two monarchs, first of the year, spotted in the garden. Likely hatched nearby, as their wings are extremely fresh and they seemed a bit awkward at flight. Odd to have it so late; wondering if there is some sort of correlation between the recent streak of warm temps (80's with high humdity).

Warm lately, highs in the low 80's. Leaves already starting to turn. Has been a horrible year for Bergamot, but a bumper year for Purple Coneflower and Joe Pye Weed.

The Bergamot faded almost as fast as it bloomed. More fall favorites coming into bloom; Sneezeweed and Turtlehead, Monkey Flower and Butterflyweed still going strong. Weather's been warm lately, some nghts with lows in the 80's! Still no sign of the Monarchs here, though I've seen the occasional straggler elsewhere in MN. Heavy rains through the weekend.

Natives in Bloom:

• Butterfly weed
• Compass Plant
• Harebell
• Sneezeweed
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Milkweed
• Sweet Joe Pye Weed
• Turtlehead
• Woodland Goldenrod

Stormclouds in Stacy, MN


Storms yesterday and throughout the morning, overcast sky and the almost constant din of thunder followed by a bout of sunshine that have pushed the temperature into the humid 80's. Swamp milkweed, that solid symbol of summer, is taking to seed, while more typical autumn flowers like Goldenrod and Sweet Joe Pye Weed are starting to bloom. Turtlehead grown taller than in past years, and looks like it will pop within the next week or so.



Still no Monarch caterpillars, though I did catch a glimpse of a butterfly in the front garden this morning. Something building a nest in one of our oaks; looks to be a robin's nest, but won't know until I catch sight of the bird.

Wildlife Spotted:

• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Goldfinch
• Grey Squirrel
• Nuthatch
• Sandhill Crane
• Squirrel, Grey
• Turkey Vulture

Natives in Bloom:

• Butterfly weed
• Compass Plant
• Harebell
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Milkweed
• Sweet Joe Pye Weed
• Wild Bergamot
• Woodland Goldenrod

Purple Coneflower

Unseasonably cool again. Temps peaking in the 80s this week, with regular bouts of rain last week into early this week. Wild Bergamot is exploding, but the plants themselves seem to be growing much lower to the ground than usual. Also far fewer bees than last year, and I haven't seen a single Monarch on our milkweed (no caterpillars either!)

Wildlife Spotted:

• Baltimore Oriole


• Black-capped Chickadee


• Blue Jay


• Canadian Goose


• Chipmunk, Eastern


• Cottontail Rabbit


• Goldfinch


• Grey Squirrel


• Nuthatch


• Red-shouldered Hawk


• Ruby-throated Hummingbird


• Sandhill Crane


• Squirrel, Grey


• Turkey Vulture
  
  

In Bloom:

• Butterfly weed


• Compass Plant


• Harebell


• Spiderwort


• Swamp Milkweed


• Wild Bergamot

A Shot of Pelican Lake



Loon on Pelican Lake

Spent the weekend out on Pelican Lake, aboard a sailboat we bought for a song. Saw loads of wildlife including a congregation of six loons, several cormorants, what appeared to be a merganser, great blue and green heron.

Sailing has to be one of the most rewarding (and economical, and eco-friendly) modes of transportation; you only use your motor to tool around in harbors, and easily 80% of your time is spent utilizing one of the most renewable resources the planet has.

Bluebirds gone from the nest; so far we've put at least four back into the ecosystem this year. No sign of Monarch yet. Glade Mallow is almost out, while the Wild Bergamot is just starting to pop.

Cold this week with highs occasionaly only broaching the upper 60's; they say the coldest comparable week on record.