Summer Laborers

Summer laborers do not tire when it comes to pollinators.  They are out in abundance and hard to miss.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Measuring Up Just Fine.

The inchworms have been busy surveying this summer.  Apparently, they find summer measuring up just fine!

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Summer School in Session

Summer school is in session for this new batch of Hooded Merganser ducklings. After mom showed the way with a dive, first one, then two, then most took their try at diving under.

Enjoy!

~ Robin  

Summer nearly here!

Spiderwort are blooming.  Wild Quinine are starting to show their flowers.  And Goat's beard are beginning to open as well.  All signs that summer is nearly here!

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Summer Burn Out

Summer is burning up.  Fall is igniting.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Unusual find

This afternoon had a little wind with occasional gusts.  Perhaps that is how these egg shells stuck to a feather landed on this milkweed leaf.  A gust later and it was gone.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

More Summer

Purple Prairie Clover

Culver's Root

Eastern Purple Coneflower

Canadian Milkvetch

Bees, beetles, dragonflies and butterflies have been enjoying the new wildflowers.

I couldn't include them all today, expect more tomorrow.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Blue Vervain

Creeping Bellflower

Summer Exploding

Pale Purple Coneflower

Sulphur Cinquefoil

Butterfly Weed

Sunday was bright, hot, and windy.  The weather in the last week has caused an explosion of summer flowers.  

Common Milkweed

Yellow Daylily in flowerbed

Waiting on the wings were evening primrose, cattails, blazing prairies, among others.  The cattails are pollinating - anyone for cattail pancakes?

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Damsels

There are many damselflies congregating just off the lake shore in the tall grass.  Most of these are some kind of bluet.

In the photo above, how many damselflies can you find?  I see nine!

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Summer Start of Surrender

Signs of Summer's wear are seen in flowers and milkweed and even in the wings of dragonflies.  In a matter of weeks, she will give way to a new season, autumn.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Butterfly and Leafhopper

Visited French Regional Park this afternoon.  Found a Mourning Cloak and some Red-banded Leafhoppers.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Milkweed Starting to Bloom

Common Milkweed along the creek path have started to flower.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Summer Cut

The sides of the creek are getting cut ... just in time for summer!

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Summer Yellows

Not as much Mullein as last year, but the Butter and Eggs are abundant.


Enjoy!


~ Robin




P.S.  Minnesota Wildflowers has been a tried and true resource for information and identification on this blog.  They are in need of donations.  If you can, please help them.








Photos taken July 27th and July 28th, 2012

Unusual and First Summer Flowers

The spikey ball-like flowers of the Rattlesnake Master are starting to open at the park.  They almost glow white when they are in bloom.  Although abundant at this park, it is on the State Special Concern list.  It is not recognized as being found 'native' in our park - most likely because seeded.

An Obedient Plant is growing near the creek outlet.  This is the first time I've found this plant at the park.  It is an early bloomer, usually blooming in August.

Enjoy!

~ Robin



Photos taken July 20, 2012

Summer Flowers

Only rare remnants remain of the spring flowers.  Summer flowers are coming in full force.  Like an accent of lace, the vine, Hedge Bindweed, climbs and wraps round and over small patches here and there.  
Another new arrival is closer to the ground.  Prairie Onion flowers are also opening.

Duk Duk days are getting a rainy start, but the day looks to clear up and be beautiful.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Photos taken July 20, 2012