Summer heat and humidity have descended on us. We needed the rain that arrived on Wednesday night and last night’s thunderstorm.
We’re happy to revisit the cooler weather of May and our last few hours at Rondeau.
South Point West Trail
There were Bloodroot leaves as big as hands, but the blossoms were over.
Round-lobed Hepatica was barely visible, nestled in the leaf litter.
Smooth Yellow Violets and Long-spurred Violets
You have to look closely for the blossoms on Early Meadow-Rue
Illinois Carrionflower/Greenbrier
Spicebush Trail
The trail has a variety of habitats and plantlife.
Large-flowered Bellwort with bumble bee pollinator
Wildflowers in bloom: White Trillium, Wild Geranium, Goldenseal, Wood Anemone, Wild Black Currant, Glaucous Honeysuckle (2 photos)
Spicebush Trail is known for the variety of ferns that grow there. A few were emerging in May. These are Northern Lady Fern (possibly) and Sensitive Fern.
Last year, we were puzzled by the emerging red fronds of the Northern Maidenhair Fern. This year we recognized what they were. Some maidenhairs were farther advanced.
Warblers don’t often frequent Spicebush Trail, but there are a variety of other birds to find.
Common Grackle, Northern House Wren (two photos), Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Yellow Warbler (two photos), Wilson’s Warbler (female), Gray Catbird, Blue Jay, White-crowned Sparrow.
Osprey Update
The Osprey chicks are growing. They are now quite visible on the nest during feeding time. At other times, they are lying low in the nest. One of the chicks appears to be larger, and likely older, than the other. Ospreys lay their eggs one to three days apart, so the young are typically somewhat different in size to begin with.
Here is one chick before the second makes an appearance.
Here is our latest video of feeding time.
Flowers from Wandering Bee
Ranunculus, purple and white poppies, Bachelor’s Buttons…
Songs about Dreams
Sometimes a song gets into my head and I want to hear it again. This time, it was the seed for this playlist.
Before I started thinking about dreams, I looked for some songs about togetherness. On the way I encountered Melissa Bell and like three of her songs.