Grasses: here and gone? #phenology

We're sharing two observations today. One of them we're certain of. The other is a "we'll have to watch." Actually, they're both a "we'll have to watch," but with different time frames.

this year the water's a very narrow stream most of what was water is now reeds

Photo by J. Harrington

Most past years, at least since we've lived where we daily drive through the Sunrise River pools area of the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, we've enjoyed watching geese and goslings over the Summer. About this time each year the goslings were reaching a stage where their flight feathers had come in and, but for the size difference, they looked pretty much like the adults. We'd watch the families roadside and on the water where the pools ran close to the highway. This year, there's almost no open water in the pools. Reeds and cattails have grown phenomenally and filled in almost everywhere you can see open water in the picture below. We'll watch over the next several seasons and see if Winter kill opens water or if some sore of draw down or other human intervention will be needed.

purple love grass: are we, or are we not, just a few weeks from a scene like this

Photo by J. Harrington

Contrary to too much "marsh grass," we just noticed today that our usual August explosion of purple love grass seems to be missing. Off hand, we can't think of any significant change that would account for that. The folks at Minnesota Wildflowers tell us that fruiting season is July to October, so maybe, like many other things this year, it's simply running several weeks behind a "normal" schedule. This is a watch for several weeks situation, unlike the Sunrise pools growths. The "missing" love grass has once again taught us that one of the hardest things to see is what's missing.

Grasses

By Heather Allen

So still at heart, 

They respond like water 

To the slightest breeze, 

Rippling as one body,

And, as one mind, 

Bend continually 

To listen: 

The perfect confidants,

They keep to themselves, 

A web of trails and nests, 

Burrows and hidden entrances— 

Do not reveal

Those camouflaged in stillness 

From the circling hawks, 

Or crouched and breathless 

At the passing of the fox.

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