April showers bring May flowers, so let’s take a look at the May Observations at the Cove…
JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE| JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
May Flora…
Plants continue to flower…Fringe Tree, numerous coreopsis, spiderwort, walking Iris, petunia, roses…the rudbeckia is close to blooming. Thunbergia, Honeysuckle, Gardenia, and Confederate Jasmine are in bloom by the 5th of the month. Wildflowers blooming along the highway including Mullein. This year’s oaks continue to have an abundant leaf drop and are still in the process of putting on their new leaves. Wisteria is finishing up blooming. Also in early May, the leaves of Pecan trees were budding out. The Chives are in full bloom.
May Fauna…
Sand Hill Cranes call each day throughout the pond. Hawks are very active, especially in the morning and during the day. Owls are predominant in the early morning and later evening. Two young gators have been spotted in the pond! Mosquitos are fierce this month due to the extensive rains we have had all summer. Turkeys are seen often crossing the road with their young.
The warm nights are full, with sounds of Cicadas, Chuck Wills Widow, Bob White, and Frogs. Deer flies are here! Many many ticks.
May Celestial Observations…
May’s full moon rises tonight (May 5), offering skywatchers the chance to experience the colorfully named “Flower Moon” of 2023.
May 15 and 16 mornings: Moon approaching Jupiter
The waning crescent moon will hang low in the east before dawn on May 15 and 16, 2023. The moon is getting closer to Jupiter and will occult the giant planet on the morning of May 17. Also, look for the beautiful glow of earthshine on the thin crescent moon.
May evenings: Venus dominates the western sky
May evenings: Mars in Gemini
The instant of new moon is at 15:53 UTC (10:53 a.m. CDT) on May 19, 2023
May 20-21 evenings: Moon approaching Venus
