Just a general update

I was out over the weekend to check on things, to mow and to look at butterflies. All three were successful.

I've always tried to keep the main entrances looking somewhat presentable. It's partly esthetic, partly practical.

You don't want the place to look neglected. It's a pain to walk in through tall grass and sandspurs.

Ceraunus blue butterflies are still plentiful I had 146 on Saturday in the north tract, down from 318 in early July, but still pretty impressive. I sent my friends at Archbold some info on what's happening. I don't know how significant it is, but it's always good to share information, especially information that they would never capture because they have other work to do.

Restoring old paths

My next project will involve restoring some of the pre-gyrotracking paths in the preserve and creating a couple of others. One will go by the stand of Giant Orchids, perhaps. Another will go by stands of Blazing Star. I've got to remove some debris, uproot some Natal grass and maybe do a little mowing to get there. It will be fun.

Weeding the lupines continues

I carried out a bag of weeds from around the lupine near dusk.

I'll try to get back over the weekend

and do a more extensive job. It seems

some of my earlier work is holding,

but it's the summer growing season

for weeds, so some regrowth is inevitable.

I appear to be making progress.

It looks better now.

The purpose of the weeding was to reduce the danger of fungus and to reduce competition for water and soil nutrients. It will be an ongoing job.

Hoggone it!

I checked the south tract this afternoon and found no recent evidence of the two wild hogs that had been there earlier. A couple of the neighbors said they hadn't seen them lately.

Maybe they moved to better feeding grounds or maybe someone is making barbecue. I won't ask any questions.

Fire lane going too green

The effects of herbiciding of the fire lane were short-lived. The same vegetation emerged as before as well as some unwanted pioneers.

I'm trying to keep the Guinea grass under control because it makes the lane impassable.

I'm trying to control the Natal grass on the west side because that's the only section where there are some neat native flatwoods herbaceous plants.

My success is a matter of personal speculation at the moment.