Prairie deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii)

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prairie deer mouse

Photo by Kirk Nelson

North American deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is common and widespread in North America. It is probably the animal most responsible for the transfer of the deadly hantavirus to humans in the central and southwestern United States. The species is recognized by its small size and its sharply bicolored tail.

There are 67 currently recognized subspecies of Peromyscus maniculatus in North America. Two of these occur in Minnesota.

Prairie deer mouse (P. m. bairdii) is found on grasslands and agricultural fields. This subspecies is recognized by its smaller size, its shorter tail, and its preference for grassland habitats.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Mammals/prairie_deer_mouse.html

Red-tailed Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis)

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red-tailed flesh fly

Photo by Bill Reynolds

There are 3 subfamilies, 108 genera, and about 2,500 species of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae). These flies deposit already hatched larvae on carrion, dung, or animal wounds.

The red-tailed flesh fly (Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis) is often the first or one of the first insects to visit a corpse. This makes them useful in determining the amount of time that has elapsed since a person has died.

This species is identified by three gray stripes on the thorax; gray and black checkerboard pattern on the abdomen; reddish-brown external genitalia at the tip of the abdomen of the male; 4 bristles on the notopleuron (a region on the thorax); a long bristle on the upper side of the antenna that is feathery at the base; well developed lobes at the base of the wing; and an R5 wing cell that is closed or narrowed at the end.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Insects/red-tailed_flesh_fly.html

Cannon River Wilderness Area

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Cannon River Wilderness Area

Cannon River Wilderness Area is an 850 acre park in Rice County. It stretches 4.4 miles along both sides of the Cannon River. Forested hills and ravines, riverbottom forest, steep bluffs, and sheer cliffs are found within its boundaries. There is a picnic area with toilet facilities, five miles of trails, four primitive campsites, and a wooden pedestrian bridge over the Cannon River. Until recently, a 20-acre section of this park was owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed as Cannon Wilderness Woods Preserve.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Destinations/Cannon_River_Wilderness_Area.html

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

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Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Whitetail Woods Regional Park became Dakota County’s newest park when it opened on September 27, 2014. It is bordered on the east by the Vermillion Highlands Research Recreation and Wildlife Management Area, managed by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota DNR. It is bordered on the south by the Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area. There are 10.25 miles of summer hiking trails including a 0.17 mile boardwalk across a wetland. In the winter there are 5.38 miles of snowshoeing/hiking trails. There is no fee to use or park at Dakota County parks.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Destinations/Whitetail_Woods_Regional_Park.html

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

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bull thistle

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is native to Northern Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is thought to have been introduced into North America by European settlers, possibly as a seed contaminant, in the early 1800s. It is now present in every state in the U.S. and every county in Minnesota. It is a prohibited weed seed in Minnesota but it is not considered as serious a threat as other invasive thistles. The spiny foliage makes it unpalatable to wildlife and livestock. It reproduces by seed only, not vegetatively. About 95% of the seeds germinate but few plants survive to maturity. Seeds that do not germinate in the first spring do not survive the following winter unless they are buried. Seeds that are buried at least 5 inches, as in cropland under cultivation, remain viable for only 3 years.

This species is identified by the distinctive three dimensional appearance of the rosette leaves; the spiny wings on the stem that are continuous nearly to the leaf below; the leaves that are cut more than half way to the midrib; the few large flower heads; and the phyllaries that are long tapered and curve outward. Other thistles in Minnesota share one or two of the latter three characteristics, but none share all three.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Plants/bull_thistle.html

Crown vetch (Securigera varia)

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crown vetch

Crown vetch (Securigera varia), native to Western Asia and Europe, was introduced into North America in 1869. It is now found in every state except Alaska. It has been planted extensively since the 1950s on highway embankments in the upper two thirds of the United States to prevent erosion. The practice is now discouraged because its dense colonies often hide rather then prevent soil erosion. It has been used since the 1970s to revegetate abandoned mining sites. It has been and still is planted in gardens as an ornamental. It readily escapes cultivation. Once established, it takes a combination of methods and several years to eradicate.

When in flower there is no similar species. In its vegetative state it appears similar to species in the Vicia and Lathyrus genera. Securigera is distinguished by the absence of tendrils; a terminal leaflet; an umbrella-like inflorescence; and fruits that break into one-seeded segments at maturity. Crown vetch is the only species of Securigera that is found in Minnesota.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Plants/crown_vetch.html

Blue vervain (Verbena hastata var. hastata)

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blue vervain (Verbena hastata var. hastata)

Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) is common throughout Minnesota, possibly occurring in every county in the state. It blooms from July to September in marshes, meadows, fields, swamps, and roadside ditches. The densely crowded flower spikes bloom from the bottom up and only one to a few complete rotations of the spiral are in bloom at any one time.

Blue vervain is distinguished from hoary vervain by its green (not grayish-green) foliage; long, narrow, noticeably stalked leaves that are inconspicuously short hairy; inflorescence of 5 to many spikes; and distinctly pointed flower spikes. There are two varieties of blue vervain, both of which occur in Minnesota. This variety (var. hastata) is distinguished by the presence of one or two lobes at the base of the larger leaves.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Plants/blue_vervain_(hastata).html

Hibernal Season

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Savage Fen SNA

The hibernal ecological season corresponds to the winter calendar season. In our area it is characterized by cold temperatures, a usually snow-covered landscape, and an absence of migratory bird species. Deciduous trees are bare and fallen leaves begin to decay. Migrating birds have settled in winter habitats. In Minnesota the hibernal season usually begins about December 1 and lasts until about March 1.

Snow Cover
The average date for the first one-inch snow fall in the Twin Cities is November 18. The average date for “permanent snow cover” in the Twin Cities is unknown but is probably mid-December. Permanent snow cover here is defined as at least one centimeter of snow cover that lasts at least one month.

On November 10, 2014, Minnesota was hit with its first major snow storm leaving a snow cover that has persisted and will probably be with us until at least December 10.

Temperature
On average, cold temperatures arrive in the Twin Cities on December 3. On that date the average high temperature is below freezing. The first stretch of cold weather arrived with the November 10 snowfall. The unscientific term “stretch of cold weather” here is defined as a week with more daily high temperatures below freezing than above. Between November 11 and November 20 the temperature (in Lakeville) did not rise above 24°.

This year the winter calendar season will begin on Sunday, December 21, at 5:03 p.m. CST. By that time the hibernal season, whether determined by snow cover or by daily temperature, will have been with us in the metro area of Minnesota for six weeks.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Main/Wallpapers_Hibernal.html

Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta)

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hoary vervain

There are six vervains (genus Verbena) found in Minnesota. Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) is by far the showiest yet it is considered a weed. It is common in the southern half of Minnesota in prairies, fields, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. It is especially common in overgrazed pastures because the taste is bitter and unpalatable to cattle. It spreads easily by seed and with a root system that can extend 12 feet in depth, is very drought tolerant.

Hoary vervain is distinguished by its grayish-green, densely hairy foliage; broad leaves with very short stalks or no stalks at all; an inflorescence of a solitary spike or group of 3 to 5 spikes; and large corolla limbs.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Plants/hoary_vervain.html

North American common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. americanus)

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North American common reed

At 16′ in height, common reed (Phragmites australis) may be the tallest native or naturalized grass in the state. It is common in wet and muddy areas on lake shores, alongside streams, and in marshes, sloughs, and roadside ditches.

There are three subspecies of common reed, two of which are found in Minnesota. One of these, European common reed, is an invasive plant from Europe, Asia, and Africa that threatens our natural wetlands and shores. The other, North American common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. americanus), is native to Minnesota. North American common reed is distinguished by less dense stands that do not crowd out other native plants; lighter colored foliage; shiny, smooth stems; the presence (sometimes) of small black fungal spots on the stem; leaves that fall off in the winter exposing a reddish stem; a less dense inflorescence that will not persist through the winter; and microscopic differences in floret parts.

http://minnesotaseasons.com/Plants/North_American_common_reed.html