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August has an average high of 78 degrees, and an average low
of 47 degrees. Average precipitation is 2.24 inches.
Ground squirrels are
munching grasses, flowers
and shrubs in order to build the fat stores that will sustain them during winter
hibernation.
Mule deer and elk sport
velvet covered antlers- which are actually bones that develop
each year. Soon this year’s antler growth will be complete,
and the deer and elk
will scrape the dried
velvet from their antlers and begin their mating season.
Mountain chickadees,
pine siskins, and nuthatches
migrate “vertically” from
the mountains to the
valleys.
Hummingbirds have left
the high country for
flowers and feeders of lower elevations. Continue to enjoy the rusty Rufous hummingbirds
as they aggressively
defend their feeding
territories (no other hummingbird has a rufous colored back).
Look for sphinx or "hummingbird" moths feeding on garden
and wild flowers at
dusk and on overcast
days. They feed at flowers in a manner similar to hummingbird
and are of similar size. During
their caterpillar stage
they are known as hornworms.
Although all hornworm larvae feed on leaves of various plants,
most species
are innocuous, attracting
little attention and
causing little, if any, injury to garden plants.
Chokecherries, American
wild plums, Three-leaf
Sumac, Hawthorn and
Service Berries ripen, providing great food for birds, bears, and other wildlife.
Acorns
grow fat for the fall,
but aren't ripe yet.
Both Chokecherry and Hawthorn "haws" can be made into tasty jam.
Look for many species
of wild Asters in white,
yellow and purple.
Monsoon rains continue,
offering a welcome
respite from the heat, and enable mushrooms to sprout.
If you want to try
for cool season crops
in the fall, plant in early August and cross your fingers that the plants don't
bolt before it cools
down. Expect our first
light frost in early September.
Great summer crops
such as peaches and
melons continue, along with the arrival of early apples and pears. Watch for
green chili's and other peppers
at the local farmers
markets. Pick up some summer squash, beans, and potatoes, along with early season
garlic.
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