August Phenology

Black bear

Did You See That?

Are you observant? If you are, you might be interested in helping us out with our phenological calendar. Phe-nol-o-gy is the study of changes in plants and animals as they respond to weather, climate, and the seasons. Each spring we anxiously await the first returning robin in the hope of warmer weather. That is a phenological event. It happens every year but the return date depends a lot on the weather. Migration and flowering are two more examples of phenological events.

OK, here's your challenge. Look around for the following seasonal/phenological changes and email EEK! when you notice any of the following...

• In wetlands, dragonflies and damselflies quickly dart over ponds.

• Bobcat "kittens" (young) are born in dens found in caves, rock crevices, or hollow logs or trees.

• Listen for crickets singing in the evening air.

• Watch for sulfur butterflies gathering around puddles - butterfly watching is at its best this month.

• Acorns fall from trees, providing meals for hungry wood ducks, deer, whooping cranes, and turkeys.

• The prairie's purple coneflower is in bloom.

• Jewelweed's orange blossoms. Later, when this "touch-me-not" has ripened, help send the seeds shooting by simply touching a bulging seed pod. They are quicker than the eye!

• Wild blackberries ripening awaiting hungry hikers and bears to strip them from the vine.

• Warblers, shorebirds, and nighthawks begining to migrate south.

• Wood duck families can be seen floating along rivers and ponds near overhanging branches and hollow standing trees.