So, who saw a monocot this week? I guarantee you all did, whether or not you were paying attention or taking my assignment seriously. I chose the orange daylily, Hemerocallis fulva, to introduce the subject because it has large flowers, is familiar to most readers, and is conspicuous at the Ames Free Library’s entrance.
The Missouri Botanical Garden describes the daylily as “A tough plant that is tolerant of poor soil, summer heat and humidity.” Our recent high temperatures and frequent showers may be challenging to humans, but the daylilies at the Ames Free Library have bloomed with exuberance. Each July, they greet visitors entering the property.
Halloween decorations? Wrong season. Sea anemones? Wrong habitat. What are these orange blobs? Email your identification to lrubinacci@amesfreelibrary.org and check in next week for their story. Your nature photos are always welcome.
Attention readers: Bonnie Tate created this week’s post. Our guest author describes herself as a scientist, birder, and nature photographer. You may recall her amazing image of an Eastern Screech Owl which won the grand prize of our “Picturing Winter” contest.
June is “Turtles-Crossing-the-Road” month. Let’s celebrate by driving cautiously on roads near wetlands while being alert to female turtles heading to their upland nesting sites. Notice which roads seem suitable before you encounter an “object” on the road. Slow down. If you see a turtle in the line of traffic, assist the animal to cross (in her chosen direction) only if it is safe and necessary. Invite some friends to join you in vigilance.
Sunday’s walk was splendid, a fresh green feast of loveliness savored in perfect weather. My eyes hopped from wild geraniums to jack-in-the-pulpits, from tender ferns to mature skunk cabbages, landing eventually on show-stopping lady’s slippers.
There is so much activity in spring! Here are two sounds you may hear if you venture beyond your neighborhood. You know the ropes: email lrubinacci@amesfreelibrary.org with your answers and check back next week.
Now blooming in selected woodlands near you!
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Submit your identification to lrubinacci@amesfreelibrary and check back next week for info on this topic.
Your photos of spring wildflowers are welcome, too.
Remember the swimming garter snake that headlined our March 30th post? Since that time, readers have shared sightings of two more snake species.
Did you guess correctly? Frogs were the focus of last week’s “What Is It!” game.
These gelatinous eggs contain wood frog embryos. While wood frogs may not be as well known as bullfrogs or green frogs, they are a delight to observe in the late-winter/early-spring woods. Listen for their duck-like quacks during March, when the frogs congregate at woodland pools to lay and fertilize eggs. They are especially noticeable on mild, rainy nights.
