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