August 2023

Have identified 574 species in the prairie.

It has been very hot and dry. Had 8 days over 100 and more in the forecast. The creek in the back is almost completely dry, but the prairie is still green and looking good.

Butterfly numbers are increasing with more swallowtails (pipevine, black and eastern giant), Gulf fritillary and viceroys being seen. I have also seen several zebra swallowtails the last few days. Have numerous black swallowtail caterpillars on fennel. Have not seen any Gulf fritillary caterpillars yet, but did see several laying eggs.

The main plant blooming in the prairie is cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), a few ironweeds (Veronia spp.) and the mountain mint (Pycnanthemum spp.) is still blooming but fading. We are back at the point where there is a gap in plants blooming before the fall blooms start.

Posted on August 7, 2023 01:12 PM by fstins1