Lady slipper orchids are just about at the end of their bloom. These were from the middle of last week.
~Kirk
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Blooming Ladyslipper Orchids
Posted by Kirk in: Flowers Orchids Phenology 2 CommentsLady slipper orchids are just about at the end of their bloom. These were from the middle of last week.
~Kirk
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday Phenology: June 27, 2011
Posted by Kirk in: Orchids Phenology
This week is a little truncated what with last week's Solstice edition. Sun lovers beware, we've lost 78 seconds of daylight since the solstice on Tuesday. The sun rose at 5:28 am and set at 9:04 pm giving us 15 hours, 35 minutes and 44 seconds of sunlight.
Last weeks sightings:
Wednesday I took a hike though the bog and noticed the cranberries are blooming as are the Rose Pogonia Orchids. Catalpa trees along the drive to work were just starting to open their beautiful white flowers. There was heavy rain on and off all day.
Thursday was another gray day. The high temperature didn't get above 60. When I saw our bird banders in the morning I joked that they should go out and catch me a hooded warbler. Sure enough, they came back with a beautiful male hooded warbler. This is the second one we've banded all year. I'll post photos later this week.
Friday I took photos of the blooming Pink Lady slipper orchids. This is the Minnesota State Flower. They actually opened around Monday but are still in bloom. I also had the pleasure of watching a Scarlet Tanager take a bath in the artificial stream under our bird feeders. I would have taken photos or video but it was the one day of the week I didn't bring my camera. Go figure.
The week ahead:
Many flowers will go away this week. Catalpa trees will drop their flowers as will the few last peonies. If skies clear it will be a good week to familiarize yourself with the summer constellations. The ring nebula is visible now though a good backyard telescope. It is in the summer constellation Lyra but you'll need a chart to find this small dim object. It is the remains of a partially exploded star that shed outer layers of gas about 1,600 years ago. Hydrangea should come into full bloom this week.
Read More
Last weeks sightings:
Wednesday I took a hike though the bog and noticed the cranberries are blooming as are the Rose Pogonia Orchids. Catalpa trees along the drive to work were just starting to open their beautiful white flowers. There was heavy rain on and off all day.
Thursday was another gray day. The high temperature didn't get above 60. When I saw our bird banders in the morning I joked that they should go out and catch me a hooded warbler. Sure enough, they came back with a beautiful male hooded warbler. This is the second one we've banded all year. I'll post photos later this week.
Friday I took photos of the blooming Pink Lady slipper orchids. This is the Minnesota State Flower. They actually opened around Monday but are still in bloom. I also had the pleasure of watching a Scarlet Tanager take a bath in the artificial stream under our bird feeders. I would have taken photos or video but it was the one day of the week I didn't bring my camera. Go figure.
The week ahead:
Many flowers will go away this week. Catalpa trees will drop their flowers as will the few last peonies. If skies clear it will be a good week to familiarize yourself with the summer constellations. The ring nebula is visible now though a good backyard telescope. It is in the summer constellation Lyra but you'll need a chart to find this small dim object. It is the remains of a partially exploded star that shed outer layers of gas about 1,600 years ago. Hydrangea should come into full bloom this week.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Damselfly catches lunch in slow Motion
Posted by Kirk
A slow motion video of a damselfly catching lunch. Damselflies are related to dragonflies as they are in the order Odonata but they make up their own distinct group and are cool in their own right. The video below looks best if you watch in HD.
~Kirk
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~Kirk
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Solstice Phenology: June 21, 2011
Posted by Kirk in: Phenology
You may have noticed the tardy nature of this "Monday" phenology report. I spent Friday-Monday birding in North Dakota and I'm still not fully recovered and back into the swing of not birding all day. It was fantastic. Hopefully I'll post more on that later. Today was the summer solstice, our longest day of the year. The sun rose at 5:26 AM on Tuesday and set at 9:03 PM giving us a maximum of 15 hours 37 minutes and 6 seconds of day. This was just 2 seconds more than Sunday. Tomorrow will be 2 seconds shorter than today. Everyone in my birding group in North Dakota was impressed by how much later the sun seemed to set in North Dakota. We were only about 120 miles further north than the Twin Cities but the sun set almost 30 minutes later in the day.
Week in Review:
Monday we hosted a training on bogs at the nature center and people were impressed by the number of blooming pitcher plants. It is really turning out to be a great year for them.
Tuesday I headed up to Taylor's Falls to scout out some locations for a summer geology class I'm teaching. Aside from some first class geology, I ran into a Louisiana Waterthrush, a singing male Baltimore Oriole and a singing male Indigo bunting that didn't yet have all the mature blue feathers. I also found my first Carrion beetle of the year along a trail. Dot-tailed whiteface and Chalk-fronted corporal dragonflies were out in great numbers as were dozens of other dragonflies.
It started to rain after work and kept right on raining all night. While there wasn't a lot of thunder the rumbles we did hear seemed enormous and shook the whole house. The loud thunder was due to the temperature inversion in the atmosphere Tuesday night. Basically the sound bounced off the warm air above the storm and was reflected back down to the ground.
Wednesday we started the day with rain. Adding the morning rain to the overnight precipitation we were well over an inch of rain in most of the Twin Cities area. We needed it. I took a group canoeing in the rain for the first half of the day and saw the young eagles at the nest have moved out to the branches around the nest. Blue flag iris was blooming and both white water lilies and yellow/spadderdock lilies were blooming as well. I noticed one Yellow flag iris blooming on the shore of the lake as well. I've never seen it at the center before. Is an exotic invasive species so we may need to remove that one plant before it spreads.
Thursday I went out on out Solar Powered pontoon boat with a seniors group and we were lucky enough to see a pair of Common Loons with four young loons swimming/riding along with them.
The rest of the week I was in
What to expect this next week.
Get out and enjoy that sunshine if we get it this week. The days get shorter from here on out. Watch for young birds and fawns heading out into the world.
Read More
Week in Review:
Monday we hosted a training on bogs at the nature center and people were impressed by the number of blooming pitcher plants. It is really turning out to be a great year for them.
Tuesday I headed up to Taylor's Falls to scout out some locations for a summer geology class I'm teaching. Aside from some first class geology, I ran into a Louisiana Waterthrush, a singing male Baltimore Oriole and a singing male Indigo bunting that didn't yet have all the mature blue feathers. I also found my first Carrion beetle of the year along a trail. Dot-tailed whiteface and Chalk-fronted corporal dragonflies were out in great numbers as were dozens of other dragonflies.
It started to rain after work and kept right on raining all night. While there wasn't a lot of thunder the rumbles we did hear seemed enormous and shook the whole house. The loud thunder was due to the temperature inversion in the atmosphere Tuesday night. Basically the sound bounced off the warm air above the storm and was reflected back down to the ground.
Wednesday we started the day with rain. Adding the morning rain to the overnight precipitation we were well over an inch of rain in most of the Twin Cities area. We needed it. I took a group canoeing in the rain for the first half of the day and saw the young eagles at the nest have moved out to the branches around the nest. Blue flag iris was blooming and both white water lilies and yellow/spadderdock lilies were blooming as well. I noticed one Yellow flag iris blooming on the shore of the lake as well. I've never seen it at the center before. Is an exotic invasive species so we may need to remove that one plant before it spreads.
Thursday I went out on out Solar Powered pontoon boat with a seniors group and we were lucky enough to see a pair of Common Loons with four young loons swimming/riding along with them.
The rest of the week I was in
What to expect this next week.
Get out and enjoy that sunshine if we get it this week. The days get shorter from here on out. Watch for young birds and fawns heading out into the world.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
What are all these Caterpllars?
Posted by Kirk in: Caterpillar
I've been noticing a lot of caterpillars this spring. Specifically, this little guy on the left.
I found this one on the 1.1 billion year old basalt formations at Interstate Park along the St. Croix River. I was there to take some photos for a geology class I'm teaching. This guy happened to be next to a nice amygdule, or a mineral filled lava bubble. I'd seen this same species of caterpillar at work, at home and at several parks. What was it?
The day after taking this photo a volunteer at work mentioned an interesting caterpillar in her yard. It was the same species. It didn't take more than a minute to look it up and see what it was.
These are Forest Tent Caterpillars. They are more prolific in some years than others which might explain why I'm seeing so many. The Forest Tent Caterpillar should not be confused with the very similar looking Eastern Tent Caterpillar that is responsible for the large silk "tents" in the woods. Forest Tent Caterpillars build a silky sheet for molting rather than the "tents" of the Eastern Tent Caterpillar. Eastern Tent Caterpillars rarely leave their host tree while Forest Tent Caterpillars wander all over the place.
Forest Tent Caterpillars have a broken yellow line down the length of their body while Eastern Tent Caterpillars have a solid yellow line.
They are fascinating creatures. Is anyone else seeing larger than usual numbers this year?
~Kirk
Read More
I found this one on the 1.1 billion year old basalt formations at Interstate Park along the St. Croix River. I was there to take some photos for a geology class I'm teaching. This guy happened to be next to a nice amygdule, or a mineral filled lava bubble. I'd seen this same species of caterpillar at work, at home and at several parks. What was it?
The day after taking this photo a volunteer at work mentioned an interesting caterpillar in her yard. It was the same species. It didn't take more than a minute to look it up and see what it was.
These are Forest Tent Caterpillars. They are more prolific in some years than others which might explain why I'm seeing so many. The Forest Tent Caterpillar should not be confused with the very similar looking Eastern Tent Caterpillar that is responsible for the large silk "tents" in the woods. Forest Tent Caterpillars build a silky sheet for molting rather than the "tents" of the Eastern Tent Caterpillar. Eastern Tent Caterpillars rarely leave their host tree while Forest Tent Caterpillars wander all over the place.
Forest Tent Caterpillars have a broken yellow line down the length of their body while Eastern Tent Caterpillars have a solid yellow line.
They are fascinating creatures. Is anyone else seeing larger than usual numbers this year?
~Kirk
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday Phenology: June 13, 2011
Posted by Kirk in: Phenology
The sun rose this morning at 5:26 AM and set 15 hours, 34 minutes and 8 seconds later at exactly 9:00 PM. We're now in the 9:00 hour for sunset which is a big deal. We won't get much later. Today was only 41 seconds longer than yesterday. The solstice is only 9 days away. While each day is still getting longer the increase is less and less each day. Next Monday will only be 10 seconds longer than next Sunday.
Week in review:
Monday was just the start of what was to prove quite a few days of heat. I didn't get more then two hours into my work day when my son's childcare called. They were completely without power and all of the kids had to go home. On my way out the door to pick him up I saw m first June bug of the year.
Tuesday saw excessive heat warnings and was out first 100 degree day in the Twin Cities. It actually only got to about 98° F in the shade of the woods out at work but the official temperature at the International Airport reached 103° F. This was a new record for this date. The last time it had been that hot in the Twin Cities was back on July 31, 1988 when it actually got up to 105. The phrase of the day for me was Pavement Failure. Area roads buckled, cracked, heaved and in some cases literally exploded as they expanded.
While driving past some limestone cliffs I saw a bird fly into a small cave. I couldn't help wonder if it was nesting inside, seeking water or just looking for a place to cool down.
Wednesday was yet another good day for dragonflies. Volunteers training for our weekend dragonfly bioblitz identified Common Baskettail, Lilypad Clubtail, Common Whitetail, Dusky Clubtail, and Chalk-fronted corporal dragonflies all in just a short hike. While I didn't join them I did notice that the beautiful Cinnamon fern is up in the bog and loaded with spores.
Thursday and Friday were kind of a blur but I did take some time to notice that the blackberry bushes are in full bloom. Also in bloom are the pitcher plants in the bog and prairie smoke and wild lupine in the prairie.
Saturday was a nice day with some cloud-cover. It was an incredible contrast to the sweltering heat of the beginning of the week. I took a group fossil hunting at Lilydale regional park. The poison ivy was in full force. I was amazed to see there had been a huge landslide in the park. The entire side of the bluff had collapsed into the stream bed at the foot of the waterfall on site. It will be interesting to see how it changes over time. Some of my favorite areas are now completely covered with glacial till.
Sunday I spent yet more time in the garden. My wife discovered a cool looking spider. I took a close loot and it was a Bold jumping spider. I also noticed far fewer paper wasps flying around. That is a trend I hope continues. They liked to chew on our old wooden patio furniture to get pulp for their nests. We removed the furniture and I'm wondering if that had an effect.
What to watch for next week:
Biting flies. Yup, I'm sorry to say it folks. The biting flies like horseflies and black flies will increase this week and only get worse.
Read More
Week in review:
Monday was just the start of what was to prove quite a few days of heat. I didn't get more then two hours into my work day when my son's childcare called. They were completely without power and all of the kids had to go home. On my way out the door to pick him up I saw m first June bug of the year.
Tuesday saw excessive heat warnings and was out first 100 degree day in the Twin Cities. It actually only got to about 98° F in the shade of the woods out at work but the official temperature at the International Airport reached 103° F. This was a new record for this date. The last time it had been that hot in the Twin Cities was back on July 31, 1988 when it actually got up to 105. The phrase of the day for me was Pavement Failure. Area roads buckled, cracked, heaved and in some cases literally exploded as they expanded.
While driving past some limestone cliffs I saw a bird fly into a small cave. I couldn't help wonder if it was nesting inside, seeking water or just looking for a place to cool down.
Wednesday was yet another good day for dragonflies. Volunteers training for our weekend dragonfly bioblitz identified Common Baskettail, Lilypad Clubtail, Common Whitetail, Dusky Clubtail, and Chalk-fronted corporal dragonflies all in just a short hike. While I didn't join them I did notice that the beautiful Cinnamon fern is up in the bog and loaded with spores.
Thursday and Friday were kind of a blur but I did take some time to notice that the blackberry bushes are in full bloom. Also in bloom are the pitcher plants in the bog and prairie smoke and wild lupine in the prairie.
Saturday was a nice day with some cloud-cover. It was an incredible contrast to the sweltering heat of the beginning of the week. I took a group fossil hunting at Lilydale regional park. The poison ivy was in full force. I was amazed to see there had been a huge landslide in the park. The entire side of the bluff had collapsed into the stream bed at the foot of the waterfall on site. It will be interesting to see how it changes over time. Some of my favorite areas are now completely covered with glacial till.
Sunday I spent yet more time in the garden. My wife discovered a cool looking spider. I took a close loot and it was a Bold jumping spider. I also noticed far fewer paper wasps flying around. That is a trend I hope continues. They liked to chew on our old wooden patio furniture to get pulp for their nests. We removed the furniture and I'm wondering if that had an effect.
What to watch for next week:
Biting flies. Yup, I'm sorry to say it folks. The biting flies like horseflies and black flies will increase this week and only get worse.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Blooming Yellow Ladyslipper Orchid
Posted by Kirk in: Orchids Phenology
The Yellow Lady Slipper Orchids are blooming in the woods. They won't last long. The Minnesota State Flower, the Showy Lady Slipper aren't quite up yet. They are just sprouting.
~Kirk
Friday, June 3, 2011
Chalk-fronted Corporal Dragonfly
Posted by Kirk in: Dragonfly Phenology
These Chalk-fronted Corporal dragonflies are emerging in huge numbers today. This is an immature male. When it is mature the lighter areas will become white and the body will be mostly black. We're in the peak of dragonfly emergence so get out there and see what you can find.
~Kirk
Monday Phenology: June 6, 2011
Posted by Kirk in: Orchids Phenology
Note: Weirdly this failed to auto-publish last week. Enjoy.
The warm summer sun rose this morning at 5:27 AM. On the solstice it will rise just two minutes earlier so we're pretty much already at our earliest sunrise. Sunset tonight will be at 8:56 PM. We still have 8 minutes to gain until our latest sunset which oddly occurs a few days AFTER the summer solstice.
Solar noon, the time when the sun is as high as it will get in the sky is actually at 1:11 pm today. Remember we shifted our clocks two months ago so high noon is no longer actually at noon as far as the sun is concerned. We'll receive the most intense sun today in the afternoon and this will compound with the building heat from earlier in the day. A heat advisory goes into effect at 3:00.
Due to last week's oddly timed holiday phenology report, this week's review starts on Wednesday.
Wednesday I saw my first of the year Tiger Swallowtail butterfly while down in the southwest metro.
Thursday There were just dragonflies EVERYWHERE. What an unbelievable emergence. I haven't seen clouds this thick in years. I didn't stop to do an exhaustive exam of the species but the bulk of them were basket tails. In the morning I opened my car door at work only to be greeted by a bird call I was sure I didn't know. I could see a little bird up at the top of the trees singing away but couldn't find my binoculars in my car. I ran inside to get another pair and when I came out it was gone. Going back and listening to recordings I'm 95% sure it was a Cerulean Warber. Arrrg. Crushing dip.
Friday migration is pretty much over but resident birds are still calling like crazy. Out my office window I could hear American Robins, Yellow-throated Vireos, Wood Thrush, American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, Chimney Swifts, Baltimore Orioles, Brown Headed Cowbirds, American Goldfinches, Great-crested Flycatchers and Eastern Phoebes. Yellow Lady Slipper orchids are blooming but Pink lady slippers are only just now poking up out of the ground. Chalk-faced corporal dragonflies are out in large numbers.
Saturday the mosquitoes were out in good numbers though it was very hard for me to type the word "good" just then. It was a beautiful day and I spent part of it showing captive owls to the public at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Sunday I went to Grand Old Day in St. Paul and had a grand old time. This weekend finally felt like summer with intense sunshine and nice weather.
This Week:
Continue to watch out for new species of dragonflies emerging from area ponds and lakes. They are the real superstars of the season.
Read More
The warm summer sun rose this morning at 5:27 AM. On the solstice it will rise just two minutes earlier so we're pretty much already at our earliest sunrise. Sunset tonight will be at 8:56 PM. We still have 8 minutes to gain until our latest sunset which oddly occurs a few days AFTER the summer solstice.
Solar noon, the time when the sun is as high as it will get in the sky is actually at 1:11 pm today. Remember we shifted our clocks two months ago so high noon is no longer actually at noon as far as the sun is concerned. We'll receive the most intense sun today in the afternoon and this will compound with the building heat from earlier in the day. A heat advisory goes into effect at 3:00.
Due to last week's oddly timed holiday phenology report, this week's review starts on Wednesday.
Wednesday I saw my first of the year Tiger Swallowtail butterfly while down in the southwest metro.
Thursday There were just dragonflies EVERYWHERE. What an unbelievable emergence. I haven't seen clouds this thick in years. I didn't stop to do an exhaustive exam of the species but the bulk of them were basket tails. In the morning I opened my car door at work only to be greeted by a bird call I was sure I didn't know. I could see a little bird up at the top of the trees singing away but couldn't find my binoculars in my car. I ran inside to get another pair and when I came out it was gone. Going back and listening to recordings I'm 95% sure it was a Cerulean Warber. Arrrg. Crushing dip.
Friday migration is pretty much over but resident birds are still calling like crazy. Out my office window I could hear American Robins, Yellow-throated Vireos, Wood Thrush, American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, Chimney Swifts, Baltimore Orioles, Brown Headed Cowbirds, American Goldfinches, Great-crested Flycatchers and Eastern Phoebes. Yellow Lady Slipper orchids are blooming but Pink lady slippers are only just now poking up out of the ground. Chalk-faced corporal dragonflies are out in large numbers.
Saturday the mosquitoes were out in good numbers though it was very hard for me to type the word "good" just then. It was a beautiful day and I spent part of it showing captive owls to the public at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Sunday I went to Grand Old Day in St. Paul and had a grand old time. This weekend finally felt like summer with intense sunshine and nice weather.
This Week:
Continue to watch out for new species of dragonflies emerging from area ponds and lakes. They are the real superstars of the season.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Blooming Columbine
Posted by Kirk in: Flowers Phenology
Columbine is blooming. These ones are on our green roof at work. What are you seeing blooming?~Kirk
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Blooming Jack in the Pulpit
Posted by Kirk in: Flowers Phenology 2 Comments
Jack in the Pulpit is up. Get out there and find some.~Kirk