Juvenile eastern chipmunks out and about. In Duluth and area, lilacs, tulips, crabapple trees and lupines are in bloom. 5 - Tall bearded irises at overall peak of bloom in gardens. Bird's-foot trefoil first blooming. In Two Harbors area, monarchs nectar on lilacs and lupines.
Black flies bothersome in northeast Minnesota.
6 - Golden mockorange shrubs blooming nicely and very fragrant. Gardeners still cutting asparagus and will for about a week. Far into the night those moving gold specks of life called lightningbugs or fireflies can be seen on the wing. Yews, firs and spruces are evergreens which look especially attractive with their new bright green growth. In the Walker area, blue flag iris is at bloom peak in wetlands, cliff swallows are collecting mud for nest building, and eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies are quite numerous.