You’ve probably noticed that my favorite photo subjects are insects and flowers. You’ve probably also noticed that insects and flowers are pretty uncommon during Nebraska winters. By about this time each year, I start feeling a little desperate for photo subjects. Last weekend, I went for a long walk in a prairie north of town, trying to find something, ANYTHING, with some color other than brown. The best I could come up with were some small rosettes of common evening primrose (Oenothera villosa) scattered along south-facing prairie hills. I spent way more time than necessary photographing these little red leaves, but I did feel a little better afterward.
Rosette of common evening primrose (Oenothera villosa).
There were quite a few different rosettes to choose from, and each had its own unique beauty.
…ok, that’s not true – they all pretty much looked the same. But there were a few minor differences, and did I mention I was feeling desperate?
See how different the rosette below looks from the first one? It’s COMPLETELY different. A little.
Look, these leaves have a little green in them! Isn’t that exciting?
No, this is a different plant and different leaves from the earlier one.
Spring is coming soon, right?
(I have about a hundred more photos of these…)
The Prairie Ecologist 
Yes, please!!! And the rosettes are lovely.
I’m glad you photographed them. They’re truly lovely. I’d never seen anything quite like them, so I went looking, and found that, according to the USDA map, they’re recorded in just seven Texas counties. Two of them, Harris (Houston) and Liberty, are just north of me, so if I get to one of the pocket prairies up there, I’ll know to keep an eye out for them.
They’re lovely. Really.
Have you thought of bowling perhaps to wile away the long winters? 🤔
They are beautiful, sometimes not finding what we think we want causes us to photograph something we would otherwise dismiss… i’m glad this caught your eye!
hey Chris, spring is HERE! In the Chicago area. Hang in there, it’ll be there soon I will bet. :)
Grin. I feel your pain.
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Love your sense of humor along with your “desperate photos!”
I’ve got a riddle for you. One of the Iowa tribe’s names for July is named after a plant: “When the big belly grass is picked to make brooms.” Any idea of what grass species that might have been?
Hi Lance, I have no idea. I checked with a couple others as well, and no luck there either. If I was going to make a broom out of July grasses, I’d choose little bluestem, but I have NO idea whether or not that’s what is being referred to. Sorry…
You crack me up. : )
WOW!
One of the great beauties of the prairie is it’s subtle nature. This really shows here and they are actually very beautiful don’t you think. Imagine the best blown up to 6 foot square on your living room wall.
That blog brought a smile and laughter. Thank you. I needed it!
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