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