The leaves are already starting to turn due to the recent cold snap that has temps overnight in the 50s. Mostly it's just the sugar maples turning; Sumac are already almost gone.

Monarchs sometimes choose odd places to coccoon.

Humid again -- and rainy. Low 80's. Butterfly weed and Wild Berhamot have both petered out. Milkweed beetle eggs and young seen on Swamp Milkweed. Turtlehead and Showy Goldenrod almost ready to pop. Sandhill Cranes heard in the fields.

Rainy most fo the past few days, then windy Saturday and today. Cooler temps... almost like fall. Goldenrod in the woods exploding into bloom, and the Red Admirals are all over them. Counter seven on them at once point.

Warm, 70s, a bit humid, patches of fog. Counted three Monarch caterpillars in the front garden this morning.

High 80's, very muggy. Almost like a broth outside. Storms yesterday, light rain today.

Lots of Monarch caterpillars on the milkweed outside, and loads of small, plain yellow butterflies seen all over the cities. Glade Mallow finally petered out, while Butterfly Weed is still holding on.

Loons heard on the local lakes, and wife spotted our first hummingbird. Counted eight young tree frogs on the window in the evening.

Both Creeping Charlie and Crabgrass are rampant this year. Have had to use chemicals to try to get rid of them.

Like a rain forest this morning; oppressively muggy with a cumulus cloud of fog over everything north of Hugo. Rain much of Sunday and all but a few hours yesterday. Temps in the 90s yesterday with the dewpoint in the upper 70s towards evening. Expected to be in the 90s today as well.

Muggy, raining. Woodland Goldenrod coming into their own; the golden clusters blazing into bloom and rolling like a fire slowly inwards towards their tall stems.

Saw turkeys out with their young along Stacy Rd, and several Sandhill cranes out in the fields along 61.

The name is almost unromantic

Cooler, less humid, 80's.

A number of native wildflowers coming into their own this week, including Sweet Joe Pye Weed, Ironweed, Sneezeweed, and Tall Boneset. Bumblebees seem prevalent this year. Have seen more of them than wasps and yellow jackets combined. Monarchs remain common. Though I haven't seen any Red Admirals lately, my wife spotted a Tiger Swallowtail.

Wildlife Spotted this week:

• American Toad
• Baltimore Oriole
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Goldfinch
• Gray Tree Frog
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Loon
• Monarch Butterfly
• Monarch Caterpillar
• Nuthatch
• Purple Finch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Squirrel, Grey
• Tiger Swallowtail

Natives in Bloom:

• Brown-eyed Susan
• Butterfly weed
• Dotted Blazing Star
• Glade Mallow
• Harebell
• Ironweed
• Purple Coneflower
• Purple Prairie Clover
• Sneezeweed
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Milkweed
• Sweet Joe Pye Weed
• Tall Boneset
• Wild Bergamot
• Woodland Sunflower

Dark skies overhead, and lots of activity on the radar. Winds whipping by from the W at 30+ MPH, with small grey to charcoal clouds scudding away from the body of the storm. Was a very humid 88 earlier today, seems to have plummeted into the 70s.

Blazing star and Purple Prairie Clover both exploding into bloom this week. Wild Bergamot going strong. Swamp Milkweed and Butterflyweed starting to slowly peter out. Joe Pye Weed and Forest Goldenrod is just about ready to pop. Heavy seems to have brought on the early maturation of many of these plants; remember years back that Joe Pye Weed was not blooming until late September.

Monarchs seen almost all daylight hours on the various milkweeds. Seen several caterpillars as well, and assuming there will be a second generation population boost in the following weeks. Seem to be many more bumblebees than in past years.

Amazing lightning storm off to the north.

More Monarchs than a British tea party out in the garden. They seem particularly keen on the Swamp Milkweed, which is flourishing with all the rain.

Some fantastic storms yesterday; Sweet Joe Pye Weed is all ahoo, and there were rumors of tornado clouds throughout the state, though thankfully no known damage or injuries. Humid and partly sunny today, currently hovering around 80.

80's, humid, sunny. Counted six Grey Tree Frogs (one adult, five young) on the windowsills last night. Appears the pond has made a good breeding pool as they've been growing more numerous on the property every year.

Red Admiral "Puddling" on Weed Whacker

Interesting. Just saw a Red Admiral butterfly "puddling" (gathering minerals or other nutrients from from dirt/sand/feces) on theweed whacker hanging in our garage. Was extremely single-minded about it, sat "licking" the plastic shroud with its tongue even as I took pictures from eight inches away.

Red Admiral butterfly on Butterflyweed.

Hot (90's-90's), humid, sporadic rain every few days. Woodland Sunflower in bloom, Blazing Star, Woodland Goldenrod about to pop. Butterflies more and more common; have seen two Red Admirals flying circles around one another, both Monarchs and Red Admirals on various Milkweeds.

Wildlife Spotted

• American Toad
• Baltimore Oriole
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Goldfinch
• Gray Tree Frog
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Loon
• Monarch Butterfly
• Monarch Caterpillar
• Nuthatch
• Purple Finch
• Red Admiral Butterfly
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Squirrel, Grey

Natives in Bloom:

• Butterfly weed
• Early Meadowrue
• Glade Mallow
• Harebell
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Milkweed
• Woodland Sunflower

80's, humid, periodic bouts of rain that get heavy at times. Butterflyweed now in bloom, and early Purple Coneflower about to pop. The rains have kept everything extremely lush, including the creeping charlie that seems to be coming up in droves. Had to rip bushels of it out of the native gardening, and am starting to use ground cloth to better control the invasives. Sweet Joe Pye weed about 6' tall (but not blooming yet,) and Goldenrod and Bergamot growing taller every day.

Loons heard from the house, and Grey Tree frogs constantly seen clinging at night to doors and windows.

Wildlife Spotted

• American Toad
• Baltimore Oriole
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Goldfinch
• Gray Tree Frog
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Loon
• Monarch Caterpillar
• Nuthatch
• Purple Finch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Squirrel, Grey

Natives in Bloom:

• Butterfly weed
• Early Meadowrue
• Glade Mallow
• Harebell
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Buttercup
• Swamp Milkweed

Glade Mallow now in bloom. Swamp Milkweed exploding in more shaded back, still not blooming in front. Milkweed Beetles and Monarch caterpillars both spotted. Storms constantly sweeping over twin cities, at least one every other day. Butterflyweed and Common Milkweed about to pop.

Wildlife Spotted

• American Toad
• Baltimore Oriole
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Goldfinch
• Gray Tree Frog
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Monarch Caterpillar
• Nuthatch
• Purple Finch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Squirrel, Grey

Natives in Bloom:

• Blue flag Iris
• Early Meadowrue
• Glade Mallow
• Harebell
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Buttercup
• Swamp Milkweed

Skipper butterfly on Swamp Milkweed

70's, humid with regular bouts of rain. Swamp Milkweed exploding into bloom alongside Early meadowrue. First Monarch caterpillar of the year spotted, along with the first milkweed beetles.

Snakeskin found in garden


Humid, 70's and 80's. Severe storms this week produced over a dozen tornadoes, several of which were deadly.

Found a snake skin in the garden. The portions I found totalled around 16", and is most likely from a garter snake. I've never seen a garter snake in the garden, but from the vast amount of prey (chipmunks, frogs, toads, mice, crickets,) it makes a lot of sense.

Orioles still common, while a Bluebird has built its nest in the opposite house. No eggs yet. Spiderwort prolific this year. Both Glade Mallow and Swamp Milkweed ready to pop. A few blooms on the Swamp Milkweed in the back, but not nearly enough to call.

60's, humid. Lots of rain in past week (rained about 4 of the past 7 days.) Pond is filled to the brim, while nearby lakes and ponds are all up.

Blue flag Iris blooming in pond, joining the Spiderwort in bloom in the garden. Harebell huge, Butterflyweed rising in clumps, and Swamp Milkweed and Early Meadowrue just about ready to pop. Peppers growing on deck, while Tomatoes are flowering.

Woodpeckers and Orioles seen with incredible regularity, while blue damselflies are in abundance.

Wildlife Spotted:

• American Toad
• Baltimore Oriole
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Goldfinch
• Gray Tree Frog
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Nuthatch
• Purple Finch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Squirrel, Grey

Natives in Bloom:

• Blue flag Iris
• Canada Anemone
• Columbine
• False Indigo
• Fleabane
• Harebell
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Buttercup

White spider on Canada Anemone

70's, humid, sporadic thunderstorms. Spiderwort, Woodland Goldenrod and Wild Bergamot coming up in clumps. Most Columbine very small, somewhat sickly-looking. Wild Grapevine taking off, almost overwhelming trellis. Ninebark petered out.

Loads of grey and black dragonflies. Junebugs out. No hummingbirds spotted yet.

Wildlife Spotted:

• American Toad
• Baltimore Oriole
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Goldfinch
• Gray Tree Frog
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Nuthatch
• Purple Finch
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Squirrel, Grey

Natives Blooming in last week:

• Canada Anemone
• Columbine
• False Indigo
• Fleabane
• Harebell
• Jacob's Ladder
• Prairie Ninebark
• Prairie Smoke
• Swamp Buttercup
• Wild Geranium

False Indigo in bloom

Warm. 80's. Some rain yesterday. A few Columbine now blooming, along with Prairie Smoke, Harebell, and the earliest False Indigo. False Indigo are particularly impressive, as they were some of the hardest hit by the late April snows. Grackles join the blackbirds in the garden and at the feeders.

Dragonflies, particularly the gray ones with the black stripes, extremely common.

Prairie Ninebark in bloom

Been incredibly negligent blogger lately, but intend to catch up. Prairie Ninebark just exploded into full bloom; the native bush covered in clumps of white flowers. Seen a few honeybees and native bees around it, but not many, though it's in a good sunny spot. Bit of a dry period lately, with hot, sunny weather lasting most of the week. Peepers cut out, replaced mostly by Tree Frogs and Chorus Frogs. Lots of dragonflies, fleabane in bloom, and Wild Geranium flourishing.

Orioles and Red-winged Blackbirds common at the feeders, and the bluebird couple appear to have completed their parenting for the year and moved out. No hummingbirds spotted yet.

Wildlife Spotted since last update

• American Toad
• Bald Eagle
• Baltimore Oriole
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Goldfinch
• Gray Tree Frog
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Nuthatch
• Purple Finch
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Sandhill Crane
• Squirrel, Grey

Native Plants Blooming Since Last Update:

• Fleabane
• Jacob's Ladder
• Prairie Ninebark
• Rue Anemone
• Swamp Buttercup
• Wild Geranium

I've never been one much for fending squirrels off my feeders. Apparently the local bluebirds feel differently, however. Our local couple dive-bombed a squirrel raiding our peanut feeder, harrassing him for over five minutes until he finally jumped off and made a dash for the tree-line.

Hot and muggy. Near 100 today.

Bumblebee gathering nectar from Wild Geranium

80's! Swamp buttercup and Wild Geranium both burst into bloom in the past few days.

Toads began trilling yesterday, joining the Green Frog and Gray Tree Frog in my pond and the Chorus Frogs and Peepers in the surrounding swamplands. Can hear several other Tree frogs not far off at night. Orioles have found our hummingbird and oriole feeders. Baby bluebirds heard in bluebird house; first family of the season. Tent caterpillars found building large "tents", and tearing the foliage from buckthorn.

Quite warm, temperatures in the mid 70's with lots of sun. Decent gardening weather!

Saw a bald eagle being chased by a pair of what appeared to be Red-winged blackbirds over Carlos Avery on my way to work today.

This evening marks the first break in the clouds we've seen since Sunday of last week. So far the week has been unseasonably cold, with temperatures peaking in the 40's.

Still lots of Red-winged Blackbirds hanging around the feeder, though we've seen the first Baltimore Oriole of the year just today, and the Eastern Bluebirds seem to have set up house in one of the two boxes. Loon calls can be heard from the nearby lakes and ponds, while the Peepers' chorus is still strident.

Last Friday's snow had a horrible effect on the native grape vines we had growing on the trellis. They seem to be making a bit of a comeback, but only time will tell if we see any grape production this year.

Native flowers seem to be doing quite well. Columbine, Blue-flag Iris, Swamp Buttercup, and Meadowrue foliage continuing to flourish (though no flowers yet), Prairie Smoke just starting to pop, stems of Butterflyweed and Bergamot finally starting to pop up. Mohican Viburnum just about to go out of bloom.

Snow Friday night! About a quarter of an inch collected on the grass, all of it melted by around 9 AM. Snow and frost killed back a few of my vines, though there's already new growth on most of them. The ones against the house seem absolutely fine.

Didn't hear frogs again until last night, when I only heard Spring Peepers.

Rue Anemone in bloom


Rue Anemone, Canadian Anemone, and Mohican Viburnum just began blooming.

Jacob's Ladder starting to come up, Columbine leaves huge but no blooms yet. Spring peepers still strident at night. Red-winged blackbird at seed feeders.

Flowers in Bloom:

• Purple Pasque Flower
• Black Cherry

Wildlife Spotted:

• Black-capped Chickadee
• Chorus Frog
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Eastern Goldfinch
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Purple Finch
• Red-winged Blackbird (flocks!!)
• Spring Peeper

Prairie Pasque Flower currently in bloom. Spring Peepers downright strident in the evening; chorus frogs now joining in.

Prairie Pasque Flower currently in bloom. Spring Peepers downright strident in the evening; chorus frogs now joining in.

Green Frog spotted in the pond, while Columbine and Pasque Flower are cropping up in the garden. Black cherry starting to bloom in the backyard.

Two Sandhill Cranes have been making repeated flights over the neighborhood. Have heard calls from flocks of them while out working on the pond; sounds like even more than years before.

Haven't heard much in the way of frogs lately, largely to do with the cool nights.

50's. First Sandhill Cranes and Western Chorus frogs heard this week.

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