Woolly What Now?

What: Woolly Alder Aphids!
Where: I found these on the underside of branches on a small alder tree by Spring Lake (west of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden about a quarter mile).
When: November 21, 2012 at 8:15 am
Observers: Abbie --- I was captivated . . . and more than a little creeped out. What on earth is this bizarre stuff? Was it fungus? Something man-made? Or something unearthly and alien, which seemed just as likely. So I contacted a professional naturalist friend of mine who identified these Woolly Alder Aphids.
Conditions: Breezy and brisk

Meanwhile, in the Garden

I've recently seen a few things in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden that are worth noting.

What: American Robin with partial leucism
Where: by the grove where the Pierre Huyghe chimes are installed
When: Wednesday and Thursday, April 18 and 19, both times seen in the morning
Observer: Abbie and Lindsay

Photo by Steve Burt, Flickr

What: Red Admiral Butterflies
Where: the Arlene Grossman Memorial Arobr
When: Wednesday, April 18, about 9: 20 am
Observer: Abbie and Lindsay

Photo by David Maher, Flickr

What: Chipping Sparrow
Where: atop a pine tree, near the Arbor at the north edge of the Garden
When: Friday, April 20, about 8:20 am
Observer: Abbie

Wait, wait—what season is it?

What: Autumn day with signs of . . . spring? In the picture to the left, just about dead-center, is a pink blossom (click to enlarge)
Where: Lake of the Isles (click here for map)
Observers: Abbie and Mary
Date/Time: 10:30 am, Sunday, October 9
Conditions: Unseasonably warm, the day's temperature was to reach 80°

Is this a cherry tree blooming in October? The very same cherry tree whose flowers are a pan-cultural icon of spring and ephemerality? I counted about 5 clusters of blooms distributed across the tree, each cluster consisting of 3 or 4 individual flowers.

Is this an "autumn blooming cherry," or is has the tree's clock been confused by recent weather patterns?