Two Sunflower Species at Rouge Hills / September 14, 2019

Not many birds on this lovely, sunny, 19 degrees at-the-start morning.

Species list: pileated woodpecker, blue jay, American crow, black-capped chickadee, northern cardinal, house finch, American goldfinch. (7 species)

We did. however hear a close-by Pileated Woodpecker many times.

Pileated Woodpecker

Fall is the time for Asters & Goldenrods and we saw many species of both.

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
Panicled Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum)

The area near the Little Rouge River parking lot is glorious with the rough-stemmed sunflowers called Jerusalem Artichoke.

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)

In the wet meadow by the look-out, there are many appropriately named Tall Sunflowers.

Tall Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus)

Other botany:

White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) with Black-eyed Susan
Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana)
English Garden Snail with Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)
White Cedar cones (Thuja occidentalis)
Boneset (Eupatorium altissimum)
Phragmites (Phragmites australis)
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Park scenes:

This morning’s group:

This little beauty landed on my deck yesterday.

Black and White Warbler

NATURE POETRY

A Cloud Shadow – Robert Frost

  A breeze discovered my open book 

And began to flutter the leaves to look 

For a poem there used to be on Spring. 

I tried to tell her “There’s no such thing!” 

For whom would a poem on Spring be by? 

The breeze disdained to make reply; 

And a cloud shadow crossed her face 

For fear I would make her miss the place.

Miles Hearn

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