News from the Friends of Reinstein

Nature Sightings

Grasses and sedges have crept into many of our ponds because of the dry summer. Nodding beggarticks and smartweed are flowering around the pond edges. There are noticeably less dragonflies patrolling the ponds this year because of the drought and low water levels. In normal years, meadowhawk dragonflies would be very abundant right now. Trees are also starting to show some color. The leaves of ash trees are starting to yellow and red maples are showing hints of red coloration. Virginia creeper vines are also turning red. On the trails, you may catch a glimpse of a monarch butterfly fluttering through patches of goldenrod on its return trip south for the winter. Wild grapes are large and ripe. Squirrels have already collected many of the black walnuts. Soon we will enjoy warm autumn days with bright colors.

lily-pond

goldenrod

milkweed-bugs

wild-grapes