Asters and Goldenrod Usher in the End of Summer

I usually realize that summer is winding down when I see that the CNE has opened. No CNE this year or last so the appearance of various aster and goldenrod species has the same effect.

This morning I visited the eastern end of the Bluffs and walked in East Point Park.

MYSTERY BIRD

I will identify it at the end of the post.

Three Goldenrod species were beautifully in bloom

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Flat-topped Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia)
Late Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea)

and three Aster species:

Panicled Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum)
Flat-topped Aster (Doellingeria umbellata)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Other botany:

Apple (Malus)
Cabbage White Butterfly in Purple Loosestrife
Phragmites (Phragmites australis)
Bird Vetch (Vicia cracca)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
Willow Pine Cone Gall
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
Curled Dock (Rumex crispus)
Wild-bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Birdfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatis)
Canada Thistle (Cirsium pratense)
Showy Tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense)
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
Joe-pye-weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Virgin’s-bower (Clematis virginiana)
Joe-pye-weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Highbush-cranberry (Viburnum opulus)
Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Field Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis)
Autumn-olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Field Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis)
Red-osier (Cornus sericea)
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia)
Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
St. John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana)
Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)

MYSTERY BIRD

The large head indicates a Belted Kingfisher. Extra marks if you noticed the rusty breastband showing that this is a female.

Belted Kingfisher (female)
Belted Kingfisher (female)

NATURE POETRY

There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood—
Touch of manner, hint of mood;
And my heart is like a rhyme,
With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time. – Bliss Carman

Miles Hearn

1 thought on “Asters and Goldenrod Usher in the End of Summer

  1. Lisa Volkov

    The end of summer–how sad it sounds. Thankfully, I love the Fall. And the Bluffs! Beautiful pictures. Thanks, Miles!

    Reply

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