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