7/04/2023
smooth oxeye
7/03/2023
bergamot
6/24/2023
dragonfly - Widow Skimmer
The widow skimmer Libellula luctuosa), part of the group 'king skimmer' dragonflies. It has large bulky body (compared to other species odonata) with large heads. This is a juvenile, with yellow with brown stripes.; when adult it will have a steely blue body. Wings are transparent, but marked with prominent black basal bands. Widow Skimmers are found commonly in muddy substrates, or still bodies of waters such as ponds. They prey on other smaller insects like mosquitoes.
6/22/2023
two killdeers
6/21/2023
6/17/2023
6/16/2023
killdeer
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus is a shorebird that is part of the plover family. About the size of a American Robin, it has very long legs and striped black and white neck. It usually inhabits grassy areas but eats mostly invertebrates. This one was foraging along the shore for aquatic insect larvae. The scientific name "vociferus" is from Latin; 'vox' meaning "voice" with 'ferre' meaning "to carry". Their call is surely carrying! https://musicofnature.com/mary-holland/killdeer/
6/10/2023
floating log
6/05/2023
prairie smoke gone to seed
We added Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum to the riparian area around the pond last year. They survived the winter, and bloomed mid-May.
Now each flower has transformed into clusters of feathery, wispy plumes that eventually will spread seeds as they wave in the breeze.
6/03/2023
blue flag
Northern Blue Flag Iris versicolor has a deep blue to purple flower. It is also called Harlequin Blueflag.
It grows on lake shores, swamps, pond edges, and wet meadows.
Blue Flag irises occur throughout the USA, in several varieties. Some plants are located on the south shore of the pond, and are blooming now.
5/29/2023
ox-eye daisy - invasive
Ox-eye Daisy Leuceanthemum vulgare is a perennial herbaceous species with a creeping root system.
This daisy is not native to Minnesota, but imported as an pretty ornamental flower.
It turned out to be an aggressive invasive species. Once established, it can spread rapidly by means of roots and seeds, and block sunshine for other native wildflowers.
5/26/2023
song sparrow
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia live up their binomial nomenclature 'melodia' by singing a delightful song, enthusiatically, and often.
They move along wetland edges like around the pond. I see the males occasionally, but they spend most of the time in dense, low vegetation.
5/22/2023
nest box Tree Swallows
Tree Swallows nest in cavities . . . old woodpecker holes in trees, or nest boxes. They do not go far south in winter; they return to Minnesota before any other swallows. They can eat plant foods, so they can survive before the insects come out. In the nest box near the pond, the Tree Swallow laid one egg each day in the last six days. She started incubating the eggs today. They will hatch in 11 to 20 days.
5/21/2023
5/20/2023
5/17/2023
prairie smoke
5/16/2023
5/15/2023
violets by pond
5/09/2023
pair of blue winged teal
5/03/2023
sandpipers
4/30/2023
yellow loosestrife
Daffodil (left) besides young Lysimachia leaves |
Lowland Yellow Loosestrife Lysimachia hybdrida, a perennial native plant, is sprouting again near the pond. The stems will to grow to 30-40 inches tall, then flowers will appear in June. Some specialist bees will gather the oils that the flower produces to mix with pollen as food for its offspring.