22 July 2023
Apart from a couple of thunderstorms it’s been a quiet week in Pittsburgh.
On the Cathedral of Studying the backyard beds are lovely with begonias whereas the peregrines, Carla and Ecco, hang around and end molting. The pair is now not courting however typically bow collectively — lower than as soon as a day in late July.

On Thursday I used to be fortunate to search out the correct mix of solar and shade to indicate off jap enchanter’s nightshade’s (Circaea canadensis) bur-like fruits. They’re notoriously troublesome to {photograph}.

On 13 July a short storm blew by Pittsburgh and broke this greater than 100 12 months outdated London aircraft tree close to Carnegie Library.

In the meantime noticed lanternfly (SLF) purple nymphs are in every single place, quickly to turn out to be winged adults. I discovered hundreds of them alongside the Allegheny River Path close to Herr’s Island plus three adults, the primary I’ve seen this 12 months. This winged grownup in all probability simply emerged from the crumpled exoskeleton above it. Eewwww!

A couple of individuals alongside the path had been stamping on the nymphs and may need been recording their victories within the Squishr app (described right here by WHYY). Nevertheless, as Howard Tobias remarked a couple of weeks in the past, “Tramping on noticed lanternflies is like making an attempt to empty the ocean with a spoon.”
Are you upset by the bugs? Go hit the Panic Button at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh within the Principal department Music Division, 2nd flooring. This Panic Button, constructed right into a bookcase, was a part of the outdated safety system however was disconnected many years in the past. Press it to your coronary heart’s content material. Very satisfying.

And don’t neglect to …

(images by Kate St. John)