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.

Two monarchs, first of the year, spotted in the garden. Likely hatched nearby, as their wings are extremely fresh and they seemed a bit awkward at flight. Odd to have it so late; wondering if there is some sort of correlation between the recent streak of warm temps (80's with high humdity).

Warm lately, highs in the low 80's. Leaves already starting to turn. Has been a horrible year for Bergamot, but a bumper year for Purple Coneflower and Joe Pye Weed.

The Bergamot faded almost as fast as it bloomed. More fall favorites coming into bloom; Sneezeweed and Turtlehead, Monkey Flower and Butterflyweed still going strong. Weather's been warm lately, some nghts with lows in the 80's! Still no sign of the Monarchs here, though I've seen the occasional straggler elsewhere in MN. Heavy rains through the weekend.

Natives in Bloom:

• Butterfly weed
• Compass Plant
• Harebell
• Sneezeweed
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Milkweed
• Sweet Joe Pye Weed
• Turtlehead
• Woodland Goldenrod

Stormclouds in Stacy, MN


Storms yesterday and throughout the morning, overcast sky and the almost constant din of thunder followed by a bout of sunshine that have pushed the temperature into the humid 80's. Swamp milkweed, that solid symbol of summer, is taking to seed, while more typical autumn flowers like Goldenrod and Sweet Joe Pye Weed are starting to bloom. Turtlehead grown taller than in past years, and looks like it will pop within the next week or so.



Still no Monarch caterpillars, though I did catch a glimpse of a butterfly in the front garden this morning. Something building a nest in one of our oaks; looks to be a robin's nest, but won't know until I catch sight of the bird.

Wildlife Spotted:

• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Canadian Goose
• Chipmunk, Eastern
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Goldfinch
• Grey Squirrel
• Nuthatch
• Sandhill Crane
• Squirrel, Grey
• Turkey Vulture

Natives in Bloom:

• Butterfly weed
• Compass Plant
• Harebell
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Milkweed
• Sweet Joe Pye Weed
• Wild Bergamot
• Woodland Goldenrod