The boxelder beetles are back, but not in the usual swarms. Must have something to do with the particularly wet weeks that followed their hatching.

Rained most of this morning and afternoon, leavng about an inch and 3/4 in the garden gauge. Passed by the Mississippi in Brainerd; where there were bare sandbars and leaning buoys not four weeks ago, there is now free flowing water and grass-covered islands.

Total Rainfall Recorded in September: 8.25"

Last night's thunderstorms left 1" of rain in the garden gauge. Our goldfish appear to have spawned several weeks back, missed the fry as they blend in with the dark bottom of the pond. It will be time to take them in soon.

Clouds darkened in the afternoon, and it was pouring sheets of rain for all of fifteen minutes -- not enough to register on the gauge.

The sky turned black last night around 7, pelting us with thick sheets of rain before fading to a pale, moody green a half an hour later. Garden gauge registered just over 2" of rain this morning. Temperatures are hanging in the upper 50's this AM with cold drizzle falling from an overcast sky.

Monthly Rain Totals: 5.25"

Wildlife Spotted in Garden this Week:

• American Toad
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Cedar Waxwing
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Goldfinch
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Grey Tree Frog
• House Finch
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Robin

Natives Blooming in Garden as of 9/25:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Daisy Fleabane
• Elm-leafed Goldenrod
• Frost Aster
• Purple Coneflower
• Rough Blazing Star
• Showy Goldenrod

Fall Color as of 9/25 (Forest Lake Area):

• American Elm
• Boxelder
• Paper Birch
• Smooth Sumac
• Sugar Maple

Temps have been crisp and cool in the morning, climbing into the 80's around midday and dropping like a rock after sunset. Headed out to Kinninatives this Saturday to pick up some clematis for the trellis. Took some photos along the way.

Showy Goldenrod in Garden



New England Aster, River Falls, WI



Common Milkweed, River Falls, WI


Kinnikinnick River, River Falls, WI



Kinnikinnick River, River Falls, WI




Wyoming, MN



Wyoming, MN




94 Bridge, Lakeland, MN




Stillwater, MN




Wild Turkey, Lakeland, MN

Some fairly severe electrical storms between last night and this morning, with some ear-splitting thunder and 1.75" of rain in the garden gauge as of 8 AM. Morning was rather humid, with temps hanging in the mid-70's.

60's and overcast today. Clouds seemed to be darkening towards morning, but no rain yet. Some photos we took yesterday on Keller Lake:

Honeybees riding out the rain on Showy Goldenrod



A reading from our garden rain gauge, taken this morning around 8 AM

• Nearly 2" of rain in the garden gauge since Monday evening. Storms were quite heavy Tuesday morning, limiting visibility during the morning commute.
• Lots of Cedar Waxwing activity in the last week, and especially this morning. Appears that one of our cherry trees had a bumper crop this year.
• The local Honey bee population, as well as the populations of some smaller native bees, have been congregating in thick, humming clouds over the Goldenrod and Aster.

Wildlife Spotted in/around Garden this Week:

• American Toad
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Cedar Waxwing
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Goldfinch
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Grey Tree Frog
• House Finch
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Robin

Native Plants Blooming in Garden:

• Aster (unknown variety)
• Black-eyed Susan
• Daisy Fleabane
• Elm-leafed Goldenrod
• Purple Coneflower
• Rough Blazing Star
• Showy Goldenrod

Fall Color:

• Smooth Sumac
• Sugar Maple

Photos from the Weekend




Frost on Columbine, taken Saturday morning



Frost on Brown-eyed Susan, taken Saturday morning




Honey bee overnighting on Showy Goldenrod. Taken Saturday morning.



Fall colors in Nisswa, Minnesota. Taken Sunday afternoon.

Overcast this morning. Temperatures climbing into the 70's as the fall colors begin to emerge.

• 7/8" of rain this AM

• First frost this morning, with temps hovering around 49 as the sun rose. Will have to take in the one or two tropical plants I own.
• Large flock of swans spotted around 9 AM on the pond off I-35 just South of Forest Lake.
  
  

Crisp lower 50's this morning, with bursts of wind coming out of the Northeast strong enough to blow plumes of dust and dry grass across the road and send crows and hawks along the freeway wheeling as they tried to take flight.

Wildlife Spotted in Garden this Week:

• American Toad
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Cedar Waxwing
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Goldfinch
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Grey Tree Frog
• House Finch
• Monarch Butterfly
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Red-headed Woodpecker
• Robin
• Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Natives Blooming in Garden:

• Aster (unknown variety)
• Black-eyed Susan
• Daisy Fleabane
• Elm-leafed Goldenrod
• Purple Coneflower
• Rough Blazing Star
• Showy Goldenrod
• Sneezeweed
• Turtlehead
• Woodland Sunflower

The maples are already turning this year, and the Goldenrods, Blazing Stars, and Asters are in full bloom. Saturday saw 1/4" of rain after sunset, and Sunday was dry and cool, making for a very productive weekend finishing off the retaining wall and working on the patio beside the pond. A flock of Cedar Waxwings paused among our cherry trees and grape vines, and a chipmunk has excavated his burrow beside our waterfall, already stowing acorns for the winter.

Some general photos from the garden:

Rained steadily with a few short cloudbursts, but the gauge only measured about 1/4" in the morning. Morning was on the chilly side of the 60's.

Should be getting a new garden hose filter delivered today that is supposed to help remove the rust from water. This should help prevent algae buildup (since plants seem to love the rust), and the brownish sludge that builds up as the rust settles, staining anything it touches a sickly shade of umber. Should help the filters on both accounts.

Spotted a Ruby-throated hummingbird at the feeder this morning. Surprised to see them staying this late into the year, but I guess we've had a particularly warm start to Autumn. Hope they don't get caught by an early frost.

Summer's Last Hurrah
Amazing that the Columbine stays so thick and lush, even in the last days of the summer's heat. It's been in the mid-high 80's and sunny for the last few days; the worst possible conditions to test the rain gauge I just bought for the garden. Swamp Milkweed (Summer's red goldmine), officially petered out these past few days, just the mustard yellow buds of the Showy Goldenrod (always Autumn's procrastinator) burst into life. The Rough Blazing Star we got from Kinninatives is still going strong; saw a few Monarchs hanging from its purple tufts.

Supposed to be slipping down into the 70's this weekend, perfect weather for working outdoors.

Back into the 80's and humid again this Memorial Day; apparently summer hasn't had its last hurrah yet. Spent most of the day on lawn, garden, and pond maintenance, though I did get to set up a third pot-fountain, which I intend to power with a solar panel this month yet.

Have heard a lot of Sandhill Cranes in the meadows around the house. Saw a flock of Canadian Geese pass over the house yesterday, and the nights are strident with crickets and the call of the Great Horned Owl. Our Showy Goldenrod still isn't in full bloom, but it's amazing how long-lived the Swamp Milkweed has been.


Wildlife Spotted in Garden this Week:

• American Toad
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Goldfinch
• Grackle
• Green Frog
• Grey Catbird
• Grey Squirrel
• Grey Tree Frog
• Monarch Butterfly
• Monarch Caterpillar
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Red-headed Woodpecker
• Robin
• Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Currently Blooming in Garden:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Daisy Fleabane
• Elm-leafed Goldenrood
• Ironweed
• Purple Coneflower (pretty ragged at the moment)
• Rough Blazing Star
• Showy Goldenrod
• Sneezeweed
• Swamp Milkweed
• Turtlehead
• Woodland Sunflower