Kaw Valley Almanac

Wildflower fireworks continue, including yellow black-eyed susans, red butter-fly milkweed and purple prairie clover. This Independence Day, celebrate by visiting a prairie near you to appreciate how everything is really delightfully interdependent!

Many animals are becoming more nocturnal to beat the heat these days, and with the waxing moon, expect more night activity, so be careful when you drive in the country after dark.

Recent rains have begun a significant increase in fruiting mushrooms which will only increase as temperatures warm. There are more than 400 mushroom species in Kansas, so keep an eye out for a wide variety of these fungi in coming weeks.

There’s been lots of publicity about 17-year cicadas in the Northeast U.S. emerging this year, but the local “Kansas” Brood IV emerged in 2015 and won’t reappear again until 2032.

In area woodlands, black locusts and May apples are blooming as are strawberries, while wild cherry blossoms are winding down.

Ken Lassman will be posting his weekly nature updates here to help you tap into ancient, ever-renewing cycles that might help you find your place on this planet more interesting.