Milkweed pods, deer and a good rain!

Wildflower Update:  Ironweed, Wingstem, Passion flower, Wild Ageratum and Goldenrod are beginning full bloom this week as the fall nectar flow begins.  Several of the ironweed and wingstem plants were over 12 feet tall (along our hiking path below).  Also, the pod set on our milkweed plants seemed to be really high per plant this year.  The example below had 18 pods.

Pollinators and Wildlife:  The bumble bees are still working but the numbers are lower.  Also, the number of swallowtails have been reduced this week ... maybe because of our prolonged drought.  Several turkey were out this afternoon.  Firefly season is coming to an end.  While working on a pollinator oasis, a buck wander up to where I was working.  The lens I had on my camera could not get a great picture ... he eventually noticed me with camera in hand and took off over the hill.

Work on the Farm:  I am back teaching at our high school now so farm time is limited.  I bush-hogged our hiking path this week and a small field I am working to restore to wildflowers.  It rained two inches today.  This is the best rain we have had for several weeks.

Hiking, wildflower/wildlife photography, birdwatching and native plant research available on request.  The Kentucky Wildflower Farm will be offering seed from locally collected native plant species in 2015 ... kywildflowerfarm@gmail.com