Although the last six months have been well above normal in precipitation, despite the scattered rainfall across the region over the last week we are still far below the normal precipitation for this time of year - only a quarter of what we usually see in May and June. The temperatures have been above normal, however.
Wildflowers have been interesting lately. The forest floor ephemerals have been out in abundance, such as trout lilies, hepatica, and wild ginger, but they will now give way to the next wave of more shade tolerant wildflowers such as baneberry, wild lily of the valley and starflower. Trees are starting to leaf out and their blossoms are dominating the scene right now - chokecherry, crabapple, pin cherry and hawthorn, among others. Willow and aspen seeds are sending their seed fluff into the air. This is the one time of the year when trees grow taller, rather than only branching out as they do at other times.
Canada geese have been migrating north for a while, but the latest waves are the non-mated geese (the "bachelor crowds"), who head north to find new and secluded territories. Red-eyed vireo and hummingbirds are nesting in Larry's yard. He saw his first monarch butterfly earlier this week and also a swallowtail. Spring peeper frogs and grey tree frogs have been calling, but we can expect other species of frog to emerge soon. Spittlebugs are laying their eggs on plant stems.
