It rained last night and it rained this morning but in between it was dry enough (relatively speaking) for me to get out for an hour or so. There were more Chanterelles, poking up between the leaves and glowing orange in the gloomy light. Also a few Highbush Blueberries not yet grabbed by the birds (I picked as much of each as I could find).
All four woodpeckers (Hairy, Downy, Red-bellied and N Flicker) were active. The no-see-'em gnats were flying followed shortly by swallows and martins. There must be at least five (maybe six) male Carolina Wrens singing away in every corner of the place.
The thystery mistle -- err, mystery thistle -- is probably a Bull Thistle, Cirsium vulgare. It has very large, halbard-shaped leaves that are pale underneath, a spiny winged stem, bracts with yellow tips (which made me think the flower was going to be yellow), many largish flower heads (only one in full bloom so far; it's a beautiful purple/rose butonniere). The book size for this plant is 3-6 feet but our specimen is much taller than that, reaching perhaps 9 feet. This is a giant plant that combines a fierce ugliness and threatening look with the exquisite beauty of its flower.
Eric Salzman
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