Great Blue Herons and Great Pink Hibiscus

Went back out to the spot in the marsh where I heard an interesting vocalization early yesterday but didn't hear it this morning (admittedly I was a few minutes late this morning as the sun was already well over Pine Neck across the creek). It was a busy time nonetheless. There were Saltmarsh Sparrows (formerly Saltmarsh Sharptailed Sparrows) zipping around and the swallows and martins were active as usual. Overhead was an unusual sight: a line of seven Great Blue Herons making its stately way south (do herons normally fly in neat 'flocks' like that?). And American Goldfinches were still moving around the head of the marsh; at one point, I saw two males with a female.

In the past, I have mentioned Germander or Wood Sage as a wildflower in the mint family that blooms in wet ground near the marsh edge. As the season has progressed, I have discovered this plant in many places including major stands where I am quite certain it never bloomed before (or, at least, not in this profusion). This plant is popular with insects and I have noticed bees investigating the flowers.

Add to the list of flowering plants the Great Pink Hibiscus otherwise known as Rose Mallow. This is a genuine hibiscus -- Hibiscus moschuetos to be exact -- and it is pink in our area (the white form with a dark red center is either derived from a southern form or is a garden cultivar). It usually comes in August so it is blooming very early this year (along with just about everything else including farm/garden fruits and vegetables).

Eric Salzman