I have identified 703 species in the prairie.

The following are blooming at this time:
Boneset is almost done
Bidens is almost done
Golden rod is just past full bloom. (A mixture of all pollinators)
Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris) blooming (More native bees... leaf cutters and longhorns, small butterflies)
Blue mist flower (Conoclinium coelestinum) small butterflies, especially long tailed skippers
Asters spp. One large area in prairie is white with yellow center.

It has been 7 weeks with no rain. Weather is hot high 80's during the day. Rain forecasted for October 31st. Average for October is 4.59", we are at 0.04" for the month.

Burn ban in effect.

October 7, 2024

I saw a queen butterfly while mowing the trails in the prairie. It flew off before I got the lawn mower stopped so no picture yet. I am 100% certain it was a queen. I saw the single white dots on the wings. It was feeding on blue mist.

I have identified 697 species in the prairie.
Newest species that was the most interesting was a White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album).
I have also seen several at the same time of the great purple hairstreak (Atlides halesus).

The following are blooming at this time:
Boneset is in full bloom (Lots of wasp, honey bees and small butterflies)
Bidens is in full bloom (More honey bees and flies)
Frostweed is blooming (Lots of hairstreaks, honey bees)
Golden rod is just starting. (A mixture of all pollinators)
Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris) blooming (More native bees... leaf cutters and longhorns, small butterflies)
Blue mist flower (Conoclinium coelestinum) small butterflies, especially long tailed skippers)
Asters spp. One large area in prairie is white with yellow center.
Partridge Pea is almost done
Frogfruit is still blooming.

Still pretty dry and warm for late September.

Still very few larger butterflies.

I have identified 684 species in the prairie.
Newest species that was the most surprising was a Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis).

I saw the bobcat a few days ago, glad he/she is still around.

The following are blooming at this time:
Cup plant is almost over
Boneset is starting
Partridge Pea (Bumble bees and carpenter bees)
Frogfruit is the star!

I mowed the ditch a couple of months ago and the frogfruit exploded. There are 100's of skippers and crescents visiting the area. Also a lot of sweet bees, leaf cutters and furrow bees.

The partridge pea has attracted little yellows and larger yellows mostly, Cloudless Sulphur
Phoebis sennae

There is a markedly lower number of larger butterflies this year. I have seen a few viceroys, a decent number of Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), and a decent number of larger yellow butterflies Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae ) (Partridge pea). But very few swallowtails, or other butterflies I counted in my 2023 butterfly count.

Weather was extremely hot and dry until the last two days of the month. We had zero rain until August 29th. We are at 1.26" for the month. There are definitely plants that suffered due to the heat and drought.

I have identified 679 species in the prairie.

The following are blooming at this time:
a few Iron weed
purple cone flower (almost over)
Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
Mountain mint (This was cut back in April/May so is behind on normal bloom time)
Cup Plant

I have split the two large areas at the bottom of the hill with two new paths. I plan on spraying and replanting these areas this winter.

July was a wet month with over 5 inches of rain. The middle of July was over cast, high mid 80s and raining. August is shaping up to be August. Hot and Dry.

I have identified 676 species in the prairie.

The following are blooming at this time:
a few Iron weed
purple cone flower
Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
Mountain mint (This was cut back in April/May so is behind on normal bloom time)

Have mowed a few new areas to decrease height this fall.

June was wet at the beginning (4+inches) and then no rain for over 20 days. Hotter than normal with temps in the mid to high 90s.

I have identified 658 species in the prairie. The most exciting new species is Eight-spotted Forester Moth (Alypia octomaculata).

The following are blooming at this time:
Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis)
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

It has been a very wet month with 9.67" of rain.

I have identified 653 species in the prairie.

I have continued the process of mowing different sections of the prairie to decrease height.

Not a lot happening in the prairie insect wise. Gaillardia, showy primrose, and lance leaf coreopsis are the main bloomers right now.

Native plums have plums for the first time since planting them.

I have identified 635 species in the prairie.

The weather has been pretty warm. I have noticed more non-native plants this spring than I typically do O(Maybe),

I have started the process of mowing different sections of the prairie to decrease height. I will do 1/4 of the areas every time I mow, until at least late may.

I have seen a small black and white moth several times that I have not been able to get a picture of, yet. It is black with white dots.

Saw a monarch yesterday, but also could not get a picture of it.

have identified 623 species in the prairie. I mowed the entire prairie in February. We have had a decent amount of rain and very warm weather. Things are very green and ahead of normal years.