I have identified 684 species in the prairie.
Newest species that was the most surprising was a Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis).

I saw the bobcat a few days ago, glad he/she is still around.

The following are blooming at this time:
Cup plant is almost over
Boneset is starting
Partridge Pea (Bumble bees and carpenter bees)
Frogfruit is the star!

I mowed the ditch a couple of months ago and the frogfruit exploded. There are 100's of skippers and crescents visiting the area. Also a lot of sweet bees, leaf cutters and furrow bees.

The partridge pea has attracted little yellows and larger yellows mostly, Cloudless Sulphur
Phoebis sennae

There is a markedly lower number of larger butterflies this year. I have seen a few viceroys, a decent number of Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), and a decent number of larger yellow butterflies Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae ) (Partridge pea). But very few swallowtails, or other butterflies I counted in my 2023 butterfly count.

Weather was extremely hot and dry until the last two days of the month. We had zero rain until August 29th. We are at 1.26" for the month. There are definitely plants that suffered due to the heat and drought.

I have identified 679 species in the prairie.

The following are blooming at this time:
a few Iron weed
purple cone flower (almost over)
Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
Mountain mint (This was cut back in April/May so is behind on normal bloom time)
Cup Plant

I have split the two large areas at the bottom of the hill with two new paths. I plan on spraying and replanting these areas this winter.

July was a wet month with over 5 inches of rain. The middle of July was over cast, high mid 80s and raining. August is shaping up to be August. Hot and Dry.

I have identified 676 species in the prairie.

The following are blooming at this time:
a few Iron weed
purple cone flower
Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
Mountain mint (This was cut back in April/May so is behind on normal bloom time)

Have mowed a few new areas to decrease height this fall.

June was wet at the beginning (4+inches) and then no rain for over 20 days. Hotter than normal with temps in the mid to high 90s.

I have identified 658 species in the prairie. The most exciting new species is Eight-spotted Forester Moth (Alypia octomaculata).

The following are blooming at this time:
Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis)
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

It has been a very wet month with 9.67" of rain.

I have identified 653 species in the prairie.

I have continued the process of mowing different sections of the prairie to decrease height.

Not a lot happening in the prairie insect wise. Gaillardia, showy primrose, and lance leaf coreopsis are the main bloomers right now.

Native plums have plums for the first time since planting them.

I have identified 635 species in the prairie.

The weather has been pretty warm. I have noticed more non-native plants this spring than I typically do O(Maybe),

I have started the process of mowing different sections of the prairie to decrease height. I will do 1/4 of the areas every time I mow, until at least late may.

I have seen a small black and white moth several times that I have not been able to get a picture of, yet. It is black with white dots.

Saw a monarch yesterday, but also could not get a picture of it.

have identified 623 species in the prairie. I mowed the entire prairie in February. We have had a decent amount of rain and very warm weather. Things are very green and ahead of normal years.

I have identified 617 species in the prairie. The new adds are birds caught on the game camera near bird feeders including a Ruby-crowned Kinglet Corthylio calendula) and another water snake (Plain-bellied Watersnake Nerodia erythrogaster).

January weather has been interesting. We had a couple of inches of ice and snow in mid January with temps below freezing for 72 hours with a low of 11 degrees. The last week (1/21-1/26) we have had over 7"inches of rain. For the month we are close to 10" of precipitation.

The creek in the back is full and we are catching minnows, small bream and other fish with nets and poles.

I have identified 613 species in the prairie.

The game camera has documented a large population of rabbits. We have also seen possums, coyotes, and the bobcat we thought we had seen. I moved the camera closer to the wood line to see if we capture anything else.

Weather has been cold and rainy, but we still need more rain.

Also have planted another 20 trees along the wood line on the north side of the property and also along the east side . Shumard Oak, White Oak, Bur Oak, Chinquapin Oak, black cherry, Yellow Poplar, Post Oaks, Carolina Buckthorn.

Current thought is for Bald Cypress to replace dead Leyland Cypress in front yard with Wax Myrtle between the trees.

I have identified 609 species in the prairie.

Since I mowed a large portion for the pond construction (Still not done) there is less areas to walk and look.

Right now goldenrod is the biggest pollen attractor. Bidens and boneset are almost done flowering. The frostweed did not do well with the drought?

I plan on putting out a game camera this week to see what mammals I can get pictures of. Michael and I have seen what we think is a bobcat the last few weeks. Plus we know coyotes are around at night.

Still very dry and not hot but in upper 80's .