Whats Blooming?

Yesterday we had a good day at the open house.  The rain held off and I had time to take a little stroll to see what was blooming in this late spring.  

 Golden Alexander, native

Alkali Buttercup, native

The Alkali Buttercup is considered endangered or threatened in many states, including Wisconsin, but not Minnesota.

Leafy Spurge, invasive, Europe

Leafy Spurge is on the noxious weed list for Minnesota and can be hard to eradicate.

Canada Anemone, native

Virginia Waterleaf, native

Dame's Rocket

Dame's Rocket may be confused for a wild phlox, but phlox all have 5-petaled flowers, not 4. Dame's Rocket is a prolific bloomer and a single plant produces a large quantity of seed. It can form massive colonies and crowd out native plants.

Common Fleabane, native

Photo by Doug Schurr

If you are interested is our wildflowers a great site is http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/

Coyote

A very good reason to keep all pets on a leash.

This is the first coyote I have seen at the park.  I was so excited I barely got the picture.  And when I did I had to laugh because of the sign.

I also saw 3 beavers, some wood ducks and I cannot forget all the deer.  I had a good walk with a good friend and ran into a few other club members.  All in all it was a good day.  Geri

Lots of Scarlet Tanagers in the park today. Saw 4 males in one tree on Pike just after you cross the bridge and shot these two by the boat launch on the MN river.

This is the same male on the ground.

Barred Owl on Pike Island

On Pike Island

Palm Warbler

Great day to be out and about. Thanks Mother Nature!

Owlets are coming out of hiding

The great horned owlets have started to come out of the nest.

Add caption

Add caption

Add caption

This was taken with my phone on Monday. I came back on Tuesday to take the other ones with my regular  camera.

Snelling Lake

First time paddling on Snelling Lake and I'm glad I did. Also glad that I brought binoculars. Saw the biggest snapping turtle I ever had...saw beavers...saw Loons making lunch of sunfish. Mental note to self...need binoculars with a camera. Here are a couple cropped shots, but nothing like I saw with the binocs.

The turtles are out.