The boxelder beetles are back, but not in the usual swarms. Must have something to do with the particularly wet weeks that followed their hatching.

Rained most of this morning and afternoon, leavng about an inch and 3/4 in the garden gauge. Passed by the Mississippi in Brainerd; where there were bare sandbars and leaning buoys not four weeks ago, there is now free flowing water and grass-covered islands.

Total Rainfall Recorded in September: 8.25"

Last night's thunderstorms left 1" of rain in the garden gauge. Our goldfish appear to have spawned several weeks back, missed the fry as they blend in with the dark bottom of the pond. It will be time to take them in soon.

Clouds darkened in the afternoon, and it was pouring sheets of rain for all of fifteen minutes -- not enough to register on the gauge.

The sky turned black last night around 7, pelting us with thick sheets of rain before fading to a pale, moody green a half an hour later. Garden gauge registered just over 2" of rain this morning. Temperatures are hanging in the upper 50's this AM with cold drizzle falling from an overcast sky.

Monthly Rain Totals: 5.25"

Wildlife Spotted in Garden this Week:

• American Toad
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Cedar Waxwing
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Goldfinch
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Grey Tree Frog
• House Finch
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Robin

Natives Blooming in Garden as of 9/25:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Daisy Fleabane
• Elm-leafed Goldenrod
• Frost Aster
• Purple Coneflower
• Rough Blazing Star
• Showy Goldenrod

Fall Color as of 9/25 (Forest Lake Area):

• American Elm
• Boxelder
• Paper Birch
• Smooth Sumac
• Sugar Maple

Temps have been crisp and cool in the morning, climbing into the 80's around midday and dropping like a rock after sunset. Headed out to Kinninatives this Saturday to pick up some clematis for the trellis. Took some photos along the way.

Showy Goldenrod in Garden



New England Aster, River Falls, WI



Common Milkweed, River Falls, WI


Kinnikinnick River, River Falls, WI



Kinnikinnick River, River Falls, WI




Wyoming, MN



Wyoming, MN




94 Bridge, Lakeland, MN




Stillwater, MN




Wild Turkey, Lakeland, MN

Some fairly severe electrical storms between last night and this morning, with some ear-splitting thunder and 1.75" of rain in the garden gauge as of 8 AM. Morning was rather humid, with temps hanging in the mid-70's.

60's and overcast today. Clouds seemed to be darkening towards morning, but no rain yet. Some photos we took yesterday on Keller Lake:

Honeybees riding out the rain on Showy Goldenrod



A reading from our garden rain gauge, taken this morning around 8 AM

• Nearly 2" of rain in the garden gauge since Monday evening. Storms were quite heavy Tuesday morning, limiting visibility during the morning commute.
• Lots of Cedar Waxwing activity in the last week, and especially this morning. Appears that one of our cherry trees had a bumper crop this year.
• The local Honey bee population, as well as the populations of some smaller native bees, have been congregating in thick, humming clouds over the Goldenrod and Aster.

Wildlife Spotted in/around Garden this Week:

• American Toad
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Cedar Waxwing
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Goldfinch
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Grey Tree Frog
• House Finch
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Robin

Native Plants Blooming in Garden:

• Aster (unknown variety)
• Black-eyed Susan
• Daisy Fleabane
• Elm-leafed Goldenrod
• Purple Coneflower
• Rough Blazing Star
• Showy Goldenrod

Fall Color:

• Smooth Sumac
• Sugar Maple