Enough rain for now; fire lane getting weedy

The weekend storm dropped 3 inches of rain on the lupine patch. The plants look good.

Meanwhile, in the fire lane the rain and warmer weather has caused grasses to sprout again, the main concerns being Natal grass and Guinea grass. I've seen no evidence of cogon grass so far this year, though there was a patch nearby.

Late bloomers

I stopped by the lupine patch today and noticed that the plants that were blooming earlier were wrappping up, but that some other plants were putting out blooms for the first time.

I wasn't surprised because no species does everything at the same time, but it was interesting that the blooming was somewhat asynchrous. It rained pretty hard this evening, so that could provide additional moisture to spur blooming. It has been dry and windy for the past few days, which is less encouraging.

Cleaning up the masonry mess

Instead of digging up more trash today, I decided to spend a couple of hours hauling out some of the debris I've already unearthed.

The top priority was the pieces of concete that appear to be everywhere from who knows how many construction projects that had leftover materials that needed to be dumped. It was a chore, but the boundary of the driveway is better defined.

Bullbats 2, Beetles O

I went out this evening to try to attract some beetles. I saw two Common Nighthawks, one of which buzzed my position a couple of times. However, the beetle quest was cut short by raindrops and wind. I got out before it worsened. Maybe later this week.

More rain arrives

I checked the gauge this morning. It registered 0.90 inch. The new plants looked good.

I walked over to check the older plants and the blooms were impressive.

Nice scarecrow.

Trash mining resumes

I resumed work mining trash along the fire lane. I filled two trash bags and a wheelbarrow full of miscellaneous debris.

While I was working a wildlife officer stopped by to check on things, which was encouraging. I explained some of the work going on here and thanked him for his efforts. These folks are spread pretty thin, so I always appreciate what they do.

Visitors day at Lake Blue

Today was another important day to host visitors. I finally had a chance to meet John Beckner, the author of the description of Lupinus aridorum. He personally knew Jim McFarlin in McFarlin's later days living in Bradenton. He was accompanied by Fran Palmeri,, who is recording photographs of scrub plants for something she's working on.

The primary purpose of their visit was to get photos of the lupine, but I was able to show them several other plants, including Nolina britonnia, Persea humilis, Bonamia grandifloria (just sprouting), Lechea cernua, Ceanothus microphylla and several others.

It was great to be there with people who appreciated the wonderful diversity of this small natural area and I was happy to share what I know of it.

John said that Cnidoscolous stimulosus was being split, since there is one variety that is larger and has different leaves and is found here that may warrant description as a separate species. Same goes with one of the Asminias, he said. Frankly, I've never take the trouble to key them out completely. I guess I'll have to pay more attention.

Anyway, it was a pleasant couple of hours. They said they enjoyed it, too.

Lupines in bloom

The lupines are in full bloom now. There are still a few racemes that haven't flowered, but it looks as though all of the participants are accounted for.

The Linaria is everywhere too and the pawpaws are in bloom, Nolina is budding/blooming and it's becoming prettier in the scrub by the day.

Insects of the night

I went out this evening to see what was moving in the preserve at night.

I was walking around to see what was flying near dusk.I saw a Sand Roach on a Nolina brittonia bud. Two came to the light, along with what appeared to be an Alabama Underwing as well as common beetles, other unknown moths and some ants and flies.

Maybe things will pick up in a couple of weeks.