The Heat of Summer

​     As the drought continues, many of our wetlands are drying up.  They offer an easy and sumptuous buffet for egrets, herons, and shore birds.  Once the wetland is completely dry, the party is over and the birds move on to another area to feed.  Meanwhile, a field of liatris blooms despite the drought as the monarch butterflies are moving in to feed.  The drought-tolerant butterfly weed struggles into bloom while we take respite from the heat with a visit to the North Shore of Lake Superior, which is truly the Mother of all fresh water.