Prolific Prairies

The past couple of days I made my rounds in the conservation areas north of here. All have some praire aspect to some degree. This year, the prairie wildflowers and grasses are quite vibrant due to the moisture we have received. Last year, they were quite supressed and unappealing.

At Moore WMA, it was nice to walk through the tall grasses with various flowers in bloom, although the morning dew made it quite wet. The blazing star is abundant this year, and is just coming out. Lots of Culver's Root was out, as well as Gray-headed coneflower and the various sunflowers. Compass Plant was not yet out, but some plants were very robust. Ironweed was interspersed among the grasses as well. In some areas, Wild Burgemot was thick and in full flower.

By the way, the resident Blue-winged Warbler was still present.

Butterflies such as Wood Nymph were abundant everywhere. However, the most abundant was Pearl Crescent (or Summer Crescent). On Monday, there were lots at Perch Creek CA with quite a variance in size and shades of darkness. It was not until I got to Nicholl's Memorial Forest near Wilkesport, that I realized the extent of the crescent population. There were hundreds! I have never seen so many.

I saw a couple of Silver-spotted Skippers, after a brief absence, so another brood must have emerged. As well, Common Ringlets are now out again with another brood.

At Reid CA, I added my 44th species of butterfly for that location this year. On Sunday I spotted a worn Northern Pearly-Eye. I walked through the woods for a change (with the mosquitoes!). It is truly a unique place with all the big oak trees, and the variety of trees which is stunning.

Fall birds are showing up as well. I went out in my boat on Monday morning and saw several Caspian Terns on the beach at Seaway Island (a usual spot). Later in the morning at Perch Creek CA, I heard the chip of a warbler. A Tennessee Warbler was flitting in the trees. It is not unusal to see a southbound Tennessee Warbler by late July, so this was not out of place. A sign of things to come no doubt.

Just relaxing on the back porch Sunday afternoon one could watch for different butterflies. I had three species of swallowtail--Tiger, Giant and Eastern Black. Not surprisingly, the Black was checking out a parsley plant. I also had a Red-spotted Purple which I had not seen in quite some time here. Some may marvel at seeing a Giant Swallowtail, but they are relatively common in these parts.

I was thinking of Gray Hairstreak, as I have not seen one in many years. Has anyone seen one lately?