Common Buckeye, White Snakeroot and Monarchs

Wildflower Update:  With the dry weather we have had, fall nectar flow is past peak.  Goldenrod, mistflower, lobelia, white snakeroot and late thoroughwort are still in full bloom but, yellow wingstem and ironweed are well past peak.  Several asters are blooming now.  Below left, we have a lot of White Snakeroot (Ageratina rugosum) on The Kentucky Wildflower Farm. "White Snakeroot was responsible for 'milk sickness', a deadly disease encountered during early settlement by Europeans. Cows that eat the plant secrete a poison in their milk. The cattle themselves develop a disease called 'trembles' for its chief symtom.  In 1818, Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died from a brief, agonizing bout of milk sickness.  Research has shown that the active ingredient eupatorin in white snakeroot may have anticancer properties." ... p. 69,  Illinois Wildflowers by Don Kurz
     To the right, Great Blue Lobelia with some White Snakeroot in the background.

Above is goldenrod with Pennsylvania Leatherwing beetles (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) and mist flower blooming in a pasture field.

Pollinators and Wildlife:
     There are not as many pollinators now ... a few bumblebees and lots of honeybees ... I noticed some European hornets on the prowl.  We have been seeing Monarchs fly by each day and yesterday we found three monarch caterpillars in some young milkweed (see below).  Also below, I regularly see this opossum on my walks eating persimmons. Directly below, a common buckeye (Junonia coenia) posed for a picture.  There is an abundance of plantain on this old farm which is their major food source for caterpillars. We have seen several and they might be on the move southward.

Work on the Farm:  This week we worked cleaning up flats and inserts from wildflower plantings.  Other than that during some cooler weather,  I took some walks to take pictures and we watched a few sunsets on the ridge overlooking Long Creek.  In the distance below, a V-formation of canadian geese flying toward Barren Lake, the first group I've seen this fall.

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

We support:
Round House, Jeans and Workware, Made in the USA for 111 years.  
     http://www.round-house.com/
Red Pig Tools, Garden tools, Made in the USA.
     http://www.redpigtools.com/servlet/StoreFront
FEDCO, Co-op Garden Supplies, Seeds, Trees and Bulbs
     http://www.fedcoseeds.com/
Johnny's Selected Seeds and Garden Tools
     http://www.johnnyseeds.com/
Roundstone Native Seed ... A Kentucky Company!
     https://www.roundstoneseed.com/
Prairie Nursery, Native Seeds and Plants
     http://www.prairienursery.com/
Kelley's Beeskeeping ... A Kentucky Company! ... at least for now.
     http://www.kelleybees.com/
and these organizations ...
Xerces Society
Journey North
Monarch Watch
Sierra Club

"Be the difference."

Tennessee coneflower, Painted Lady and a Twany Emperor

Wildflower Update: The fall nectar flow is peaking.  The hills of our farm are yellow with goldenrod and wingstem blooms.  I planted some Tennessee conefowers earlier this summer and they are blooming now (above).  

Pollinators and Wildlife:  Lots of pollinators working this week ... I was outside for only a couple of hours on Sunday and saw three monachs gliding to the southwest on a light NE wind.  We have seen a steady flow of Monarchs for a month.  Above a Twany Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) resting briefly in our garden.  Below,  a couple of Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui) visiting a butterfly plant and a zinnia.  The third and last flight of Painted Ladies started last week.

Below a Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) and a Io Moth caterpillar (about 3" long).

Work on the Farm:  Still planting food plots will next year be native plant plots.  Our community turnip/mustard patch is coverd with 2-3" plants ... greens available in early October if we get some rain.  Buckwheat is blooming in our early food plots.

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

Ladies' Tresses, White Turtlehead and a Summer Azure

Wildflower Update: The fall nectar flow is in full swing!  Wingstem, wild ageratum, goldenrod, white snakeroot, goldenrod and more are all in full bloom.  Ironweed is past peak.  I spotted some ladies' tresses (below) on Saturday and walked back our walking trail to get a picture.  Near the stream in the valley back of our house were great blue lobelia and white turtlehead blooming.

Pollinators and Wildlife: After a early shower early this morning, the pollinators were busy late this afternoon under some sunshine.  I only saw one Monarch on my walk today but dozens of small butterflies ... last flight of skippers started last week and are abundant (on goldenrod below) ... also, a picture of a summer azure.

Work on the Farm:  This weekend, I bush-hogged our walking trails.  While mowing the trail on Saturday, I saw six Monarchs gliding by or stopping to nectar on wingstem.  Also, a recent sunset over Long Creek in the valley below ...

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

Rain, Jewelweed and Great Blue Lobelia ...

Wildflower Update:  The fall blooming season is coming into full swing.  Our ironweed, wingstem and goldenrod are almost at full bloom.  In our wetland and spring-fed valleys,  jewelweed and great blue lobelia are blooming visited by an abundance of pollinators.  Fall nectar flow is underway despite the rain.  Jewelweed bloom above and great blue lobelia below.

Pollinators and Wildlife:  Lots animals on the move this evening after a rain.  The number of bumblebees have dropped off but there are still some swallowtails around and monarches passing by each day.  Below a Northern Pearly-eye (Enodia anthedon, a woodland butterfly)

Work on the Farm:  We are still planting food plots.  Last weekend, we planted our large community turnip patch for greens.  We will harvest them in the middle of next month ... a tradition.  We are harvesting common milkweed and rose milkweed pods for our pop-a-pod for monarch program.

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