Leopard Frog at William O'Brian State Park

Some phenology to note at William O'Brian State Park. Monarchs everywhere at William O'Brian today; saw a caterpillar on a stand of Swamp Milkweed and seven or eight butterflies between the prairie plantings and bog; one hanging almost drunkenly off a stand of Rough Blazing Star. Frogs were also making themselves known; saw several Green Frogs and a Leopard on the trail itself. Saw a Turkey Vulture circling high over the swamps and bogs.

Beaver Lodge at William O'Brian

Water in the beaver pond was way down, and the beavers' lodge covered in more vegetation than I've seen in summers past. Likely due to the lower water levels and bog-like conditions in the soil and detritus atop the lodge.

Flowers we spotted included Woodland Sunflower, several varieties of Goldenrods and Asters, Sneezeweed, Culver's Root, some monstrous stands of Arrowhead, Rough Blazing Star, Brown-eyed Susan, White Water Lily, and Harebell.

Garden Report

Wildlife Spotted:

• American Toad
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Chorus Frog
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Crow, Common
• Goldfinch
• Gray Catbird
• Gray Squirrel
• Green Frog
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Leapord Frog
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Red Squirrel
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Robin, American
• Virginia Opossum
• Wood Frog

Natives in Bloom:

• Brown-eyed Susan
• Butterfly weed
• Elm-leafed Goldenrod
• Harebell
• Leadplant
• Prairie Onion
• Purple Coneflower
• Sneezeweed
• Swamp Milkweed
• Sweet Joe Pye Weed
• Turtlehead
• Wild Bergamot
• Woodland Sunflower