August 23, 2012

Notes and changes since last report

• It was partly cloudy, 82° and calm at 1:00 PM on August 23, 2012.

The Trails

• I started at the Fern Glen pond today where one of the spreadwing damselflies posed for me.
• In the Norway Spruce Glade along the road above the Glen, was a large Argiope or garden spider with an equally large cicada in its web.
• There were a lot of chewed remains of mushrooms along the trails. But on the Cary Pines trail, I came upon one untouched. I liked the moss too.
• I lingered at the foot bridge over the little creek feeding the Wappinger creek. The butterfly I'd glimpsed didn't return but right at my feet was an interesting opposite-leaved plant
• On closer inspection, I took it to be one of the skullcaps.
• Little bluestem grass was reddening in the Old Pasture.
• We don't often think of grasses as flowering plants, however...
• I always marvel at how easily the bright American copper can disappear on a grassy path.
• And on the way out of the Old Pasture, another perfect mushroom... with a nice view of sheep laurel, which seemed attractive to the copper.
• The back Old Hayfield had been mowed around its edge: a prelude for what is to come... But we must mow to keep our fields fields. And adjacent fields are mowed on alternate years to provide refuge.
• A pair of interesting flies allowed a photo.
• The boardwalk across the end of the Sedge Meadow afforded an excellent view of rough-leaved goldenrod, easily recognized by the large lower leaves and habitat.
• A large pokeweed was flourishing behind the Carriage House.
• The birds love the berries when they ripen to dark purple.
• We've seen a lot of goldenrods lately; what we haven't seen is ragweed with its tiny inconspicuous flowers - the actual cause of so much sinus discomfort.
• I've been avoiding thinking about it, but the view across the Little Bluestem Meadow was indicating the End Of Summer.
• Silver-rod - our only white goldenrod - on the Scotch Pine Alleé was indicating the end of the trails for me today.