Rainbow in Linwood Township

Bursts of heavy rain throughout the day and evening, followed by spots of sun (shown above). The recent warm temperatures and damp weather seem to have postponed the onset of fall, and the colors haven't changed much in the past week. Saw a Monarch butterfly Saturday. Rather surprised as I thought they were gone for the season, but a friend in Canada told me there's hordes of them near Toronto, and have heard about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the Brainerd.

Garden Report

Wildlife Spotted

• Red Admiral


• American Toad


• Black-capped Chickadee


• Blue Jay


• Chorus Frog


• Cottontail Rabbit


• Crow, Common


• Goldfinch


• Gray Squirrel


• Green Frog


• Hairy Woodpecker


• Leopard Frog


• Monarch Butterfly


• Mourning Dove


• Northern Cardinal


• Nuthatch


• Pileated Woodpecker


• Red Squirrel


• Red-bellied Woodpecker


• Robin, American


• Turkey Vulture


• Virginia Opossum

In Bloom:

• Brown-eyed Susan


• Elm-leafed Goldenrod


• Harebell


• Purple Coneflower


• Showy Goldenrod


• Sweet Joe Pye Weed


• Woodland Sunflower

Have seen more European honeybees on the Showy Goldenrod than I have all year! Have counted over fifty on the stand at any one time, with individuals coming and going constantly, have even seen them resting on the undersides of the flowers through storms and at night. Weather is inconstant. 70's throughout the week, with 80's and some light rain today. Nothing but the calls of crickets and toads in the evening.

Saw a Turkey Vulture flying over the house today, and heard the call of the Pileated Woodpecker.

First Fall colors! Precipitated by the drought, the sumac are a rich burgundy, while the tops of the maples are tinged with the lightest tinge of rust. Showy Goldenrod, one of the surest signs of fall, are just starting to bloom.