August 25, 2024

Welcome to the last installment of the Backyard Blog for August anything, 2024.  The biggest news is that the Goldenrod is actually in the early stages of Bloom.  And this means that quite a few new critters are arriving to congratulate it.  You probably remember that a couple of weeks back we saw this Pennsylvania Ambush Bug in the Back Yard - and rejoiced a bit for its appearance, which usually means the Goldenrod is already in bloom.  We haven't seen it again but have been waiting impatiently for other signs of blooming in the Goldenrod.  Has it been slow!  I think as you get older (Monday will be my 84th b'day!), you also get more impatient for things to occur in the same order as in previous years!!!  Picture 3 shows what must be a Gall of some ilk on the Goldenrod.  I'm waiting for iNat to concur or differ.

Here are a few more inhabitants of the blooming Goldenrod!  One of everyone's favorites is this Ailanthus Webworm (Moth).