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Reported on January 18, 2002
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What's blooming? The usual winter flowers
are either already blooming or getting ready to bloom: dandelions (which
actually bloom year-round), false rue anemone, dwarf nettle, and winter
cress. |
 Rattlesnake Rattlesnake ferns managed to accomplish a second growing season after some of the fall rains, and you can find their foliage as well as some fruiting stalks. |
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At the beginning of January we found "frost flowers." They are flower-like ribbons of ice crystals formed by certain plant species as the roots continue to bring up moisture, even after the top of the plant has died. As the moisture reaches the cold air, it freezes. As the moisture freezes, it expands and bursts the plant's stalk; ice crystals are extruded through breaks in the plant's stem. They are so fragile that a touch of sun reaching the frost flower will cause its "petals" to sublimate directly into a puff of water vapor. The short frost flower season may be over now, since they have not been seen for a week or two, and eventually the roots do stop sending moisture up the stem.
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 Juniper Berries Donna Horton |
Fall foliage report: Most of the colors have faded, but
some trees still hang on to their brown leaves until the new spring
growth pushes them off. You may notice some of the male Eastern red
cedars looking very orange; a close look will reveal thousands of
staminate flowers producing yellowish-orange pollen. Those of us with
allergies to wind-borne cedar pollen don't need to look to know that the
cedars have begun to bloom. The Eastern red cedars, a.k.a. junipers,
that have small blue berry-like fruits are female trees. |
| Butterflies: Believe it or not, we occasionally
find butterflies during the winter! Mourning Cloaks overwinter as
adults, tucked into crevices in woodpiles and under decking, so it is
not unusual to find them flying on mild winter days, searching for a
dandelion or other nectar source. Some very tough and battered-looking
Orange Sulphurs are still out foraging, as well.
Other insects and arthropods: The cold temperatures have laid the mosquitos to rest for a while. Mild temperatures might allow some of the winter ephemerals (short-lived insects like midges or gnats) to fly for a day or two. Herps: Balmy temperatures might bring a pond slider or river cooter (both are water turtles) out to sunbathe, but most reptiles have gone dormant for the winter by now. It would not be surprising to hear frog choruses if the temperatures remain above normal for several days. Birds: Screech owls continue to call at sunset near Swan Lake. Many wild ducks in a variety of species have appeared on area lakes and ponds. Mammals: Deer will be dropping their antlers any time now. The next time you spot one on the trails try to get a good look at its head. Is it a doe, or is it a buck that has lost its antlers? Winter is a great time to look for tracks.
Sky: January's New Moon happened at 7:29 am Central Standard Time (CST) on the 13th. January's Full Moon will occur on the 28th at 4:50 pm CST. On the evening of January 24th, the Moon will pass just north of Saturn. On the 26th, the Moon will pass just north of Jupiter. |
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