Friday, May 7, 2021

Spring is Rolling In

We have days where the temps soar to nearly 90*F, and the they plummet into the 30s, and we get frost warnings.  It's the new "normal" for spring.

But the joy is that the spring birds are coming through, and the spring wildflowers are all a-blooming.

Here are some recent sightings of note:

Eastern Towhee - they've been back a few weeks now.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks - arrived last weekend.

Baltimore Orioles - also arrived last weekend.

Red-headed Woodpecker - such a stunning bird!  
This one has been visiting our birdfeeders.

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher - out nabbing insects 
in the trees along one of our trails last weekend.

Palm Warbler - a life bird for me, photography-wise.  
This was last Sunday.

Violet Wood Sorrel 
(just in case you thought all wood sorrels were yellow).

Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (they've been out for a couple weeks now)

Nymph of a green assassin bug - doing what it does best.

Female Andrena - a native mining bee - 
unfortunately getting a meal from garlic mustard.

Green frog hiding underwater in the creek - 
trying to avoid being caught by an overly enthusiastic family.

Prairie Violets - a new species for me.

White Blue-eyed Grass - there seems to be a thing here in the Midwest 
where species are white instead of the colors I'm used to further east 
(like the trout lilies, and now the blue-eyed grass, which is normally blue).

Prairie Smoke - most is already past blooming, but this one 
was still hanging on last weekend.

Hoary Puccoon - I just love the name - 
and I love the brilliant orange blossoms!

False (or Bastard) Toadflax - not quite blooming last Sunday.

Temps are chilly again most of this week, and there is a frost advisory tonight.  But I may still go out and about on my days off to see what new spring arrivals are about.  




Thursday, April 22, 2021

Bison - photo taken in March at Nachusa Grasslands,
just south of where I live.

 Good morning, Dear Reader!

I can't believe how long it has been since I last wrote a blog here.  Oy Vey!

I've been so busy at work that I find I have little time to wander in the woods and fields, and even less time to research what I find and then write it up.  I suppose that is good news, since it means that things are chugging right along at work.  And at home, well, internet connection is iffy at best - I don't often use it.

But, just in case there is still ANYONE out there reading this blog, I hope to resurrect it and get stuff up and running again. 

In the meantime, I will share some blogs I have written for work here in Illinois.

How Opera Glasses Saved Birds

Beyond Peter Rabbit

Hackberry - the Tree You Didn't Know

The Beautiful, Amazing Opossum

Journaling Journey

Winter Solstice - Will the Sun Return?

When Hosts Become Rare

Summer Camp Wraps Up

Bees, Then and Now

Exploring Ferguson Forest Preserve

Signs of Spring

World Wildlife Day

The Great Backyard Bird Count

Signs of the Seasons

Summer Camp is Under Way

What?  Bananas are Berries?

Death at the Dells - a Story in Four Parts

Nothing is Permanent Except Change

Christmas in August

Forest Fantasy Camp

Mantis Musings

Springtail Speculations

Hairy Rope...

Surprise Roommates

Shrewd Observations

Winter Walk

Weasel Wonderings:  Part One - The Badger

It's All Happenin' Below the Snow

Frosted Windowpanes

Grounding/Earthing

Feed the Birds

Cabinet of Curiosities

Behold, the Boxelder Bug

Turn 'em Loose

Finding the Little Things

Are Acorns Dangerous Nuts?

Things that Make You Say "Hm"

The New Kids on the Block


There - that should keep you busy for a while!

And drop me a note in the comments box to let me know you were here!