June 22 Luna Moths Out

A sure sign of summer is the emergence of adult luna moths (Actias luna) that dazzle us with their large beautiful green wings. We found this fellow huddled on the side of a bin on the deck at the nature center; maybe he sought refuge inside during this morning’s storms? And, yes, we can guess that he is a he since his feathery antennae are quite large (the females’ antennae are narrower). This particular moth is looking a bit raggedy. It is missing the characteristic tails on its hind wings, so maybe it is reaching the end of its very short stint (about 1 week!) as an adult. Adult luna moths exist solely to mate and lay eggs, so they don’t even have mouths to feed with! The caterpillars that hatch from early summer eggs will go on to lay their own eggs by the end of the summer to create the population of lunas that will overwinter in cocoons. Catch them while you can!

June 21 Nature Center's Nesters

Happy Summer! On this first day of summer, I visited one of the nature center’s residences- a nesting box playing host to a family of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). I’m not sure if there are babies inside yet. But while the adults were once quick to exit the box when a gaggle of kids walked by, now they pause and examine us with curiosity. Perhaps by now they realize that we mean no harm, and that we are fascinated with their shiny feathers and their flying antics! Joining these swallows in nesting in and around the nature center are eastern bluebirds, Baltimore orioles, red-winged black birds, robins, eastern phoebes, house sparrows, and Canada geese, to name a few. It will be a good summer for watching our bird neighbors!

June 20 A Masterful Plant

When I think of plants in the carrot (or parsley) family, I usually think of fern-like leaves and hollow stems and umbels (umbrella-shaped clusters) of flowers. But this plant, rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), reminds me that there are always exceptions to the expectations! Rattlesnake master seems so different from many of its prairie neighbors with its sharp-pointed leaves reminiscent of flat aloe leaves. And its greenish flower is so subdued compared to the yellows and purples of other plants. Nevertheless, it attracts a number of insects interested in slurping on some nectar.

June 19 Prairie Shoulder High

It’s been a few weeks since we last shared the view of the prairie at Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Last time, the building was still wholly visible from our spot by the pond, but now the cup plants (Silphium perfoliatum) dominate the view. Walking the trails is a whole new experience with the younger crowd. They can no longer wave at another group of kids on the trail across from us- the naturalists can still see each other above the plants, but for the kids, the trails are turning into magical tunnels. More and more flowers are blooming, which attracts more and more interesting insects to investigate. Before too long, we adults will also be welcomed into the world of tall plants where we can momentarily forget about the world around us and instead focus on the wall of green leaves and colorful blooms right in front of us.

June 18 Garden Tales

As we weeded and planted and harvested in our garden today, I thought a lot about the stories that the soil and trees could tell. Our garden is on top of the hill at the Eagle Heights Community Garden, giving us a grand view of the gardens below. But we’re new here, especially compared to the old oaks that watch the gardens and the soil to which we entrust our little plants. What have they seen over they years as thousands of gardeners have eagerly descended in the spring? Do they share the intense excitement of the first-time gardener and the equally intense frustration at the seemingly impossible task of controlling weeds? Do they recognize the wise gardeners who have held the same plots for years? Do they have a favorite plot- one that has amusing decorations or a creative stick structure or beautiful plants? I’ll never know the answers to these questions, but once in awhile it’s nice to wonder at the seemingly magic survival of our plants that start as weak little babies and grow stout on top of the hill, beating the odds against the wind, rain, and hot sun.

June 17 Blazing Butterfly Weed

Milkweeds abound! Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is showing it’s pretty pink clusters of flowers, and this butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is lighting up the prairie with its blaze orange blooms. All the patches of prairie I’ve seen lately are bustling with milkweed, and every plant I investigate is graciously hosting a variety of pollinators. As we cruise into summer, I can’t wait to visit my favorite patches of prairie to see what’s blooming next!