Following the intense nature watching months of May, June, and July here in Elza Howell Park, it can be tempting to take a break. And I do in the sense of scheduling very few group nature walks at this time of the year.

But the annual cycle does not slow down  and August has its own major attractions. If someone is wondering what nature is offering here this month, these are a few examples.

1. Wild Black Cherries ripen and are eagerly consumed by birds.

2. Ironweed, a tall and brilliantly-colored flower, reaches its seasonal peak.

3. August is a good time to start observing some of the fascinating webs and hunting behaviors of spiders.

4. August is also a great time to learn more about the variety of grasshoppers and about their behavior.

5. This is (finally) the month to see the distinctive flower of Groundnut, a perennial vine.

6. Later this month, a variety of goldenrods will be in bloom, attracting many insects. One of them, Praying Mantis, patiently preys upon others.

This is just a sample of what August presents in Eliza Howell Park. And by the end of the month, Fall bird migration will be underway. It is definitely not a month to miss.