Ken Lassman has been keeping this almanac for over a decade, He invites you to share your observations and photos in the comments section. You can find his book Wild Douglas County at The Raven Bookstore and The Community Mercantile in Lawrence.
Buffalo Pawing Moon: June
The Osage, like many of the eastern horticultural tribes who inhabited the woodland/prairie transition zone from Minnesota to Texas, planted extensive gardens in the spring, then left the children and grandparents to tend them while most of the tribe went west to hunt bison. This is reflected in the name of the summer moons, which chronicle the behavior of the primary protein source for these tribes.
The parade of prairie flowers that began in May continues in earnest in June, with each week unfolding a new flavor of colors as wave after wave of wildflowers compete for the sunlight with the growing warm season prairie grasses. June also sees berries ripening, ranging from mulberries and blackberries to wild raspberries, gooseberries and currants.
Mammals are busy raising young, and some birds are starting second litters as the wheat ripens in the fields. Corn grows noticeably on a daily basis this month, and soybeans go from green rows in dark fields to a carpet of green. The summer solstice arrives on June 21st and the entire landscape seems to be alive with life as a result of the energy-filled longest days of the year. Nights are shorter, but full in its own way with the sounds of night life and the beautiful summer constellations in the sky, this year made all the more beautiful with Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn gracing our morning sky.
Kaw Valley Almanac 
Hi Mr Lassman,
Thank you so much for putting this together, I sure appreciate reading it every week and have learned so much from you.
I just saw this spider in the attached picture and was wondering if you have any idea what it is. I donât know how well it comes through in the picture, but the whole back of it is covered in what looks like a wooly substance. I wondered if maybe those could be babies on the back? Have never seen anything like it, plus I included my finger in the pic so you can see how big the spider is.
Thank you so much for taking a look! Was just curious so if you donât know, no big deal, but I imagine you probably do 🙂
Debbie Smith
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Hi, Debbie,
I don’t see any attached picture, but maybe it will show up when I reply. If not, please send as an attachment to my email address, seasonsandcycles@yahoo.com and I’ll take a look at it.
thanks,
Ken
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