This time of year is one of transition between dormant and active. Last year’s prairie plant skeletons are still prominent. Seed heads are largely emptied, but not entirely. Green growth is starting to appear but the landscape still appears mostly brown from a distance. Here are some photos from our family prairie last weekend that illustrate those transitions.
The ‘mystery’ photo above is a close up of the dried seed head of wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), otherwise known as bee balm.
The Prairie Ecologist 
Bee balm. I thought it looked like middle of sunflower flower let’s when finished. Good game. Thanks.
Keep the pictures coming…they are a gift and I never tire of them.
I thought mountain mint.
Hi Chris,
Is there any chance that when you type the text for the captions under each of your gorgeous photos, you could use a larger, darker font, and one that doesnât have serifs and thin lines mixed with thick lines? Both Helvetica and Times New Roman fonts are difficult to read, especially at smaller than 12 point size, and I canât even read them on my large laptop screen without eye pain squinting behind my prescription glasses. When your New Post arrives in my email, I click on âPhotos of the Weekâ, so that they will open in my browser.
Also, in your introductory text below, Arial 9.5 and Helvetica 10.5 is lost on me. I would love to read your email introductions, and the captions under your incredible photos, but I can hardly see them because they are so small and pale. Iâm sure other readers are in the same position. Reading text on a screen with light behind it isnât the same as reading text on paper. Also, I use a blue light filter for nighttime use of my laptop, and your turquoise blue text gets altered when that program kicks in after sundown.
Iâm a former graphic artist, so Iâm extra sensitive to font legibility, light, and color (and photography). If I have to struggle to read something, or if the layout is too busy, I skip it. I hope you will understand my comments about how the human eye perceives visual imagery. I am grateful that someone like you is taking the time and care needed to notice, compose, and document prairie images using macro photography. Plus, your endurance and patience in weather extremes to take advantage of your subject matter in both frigid and sizzling conditions is more than I and others could ever manage.
Regards,
Denay Trykowski, Subscriber
Thank you Denay – I really appreciate your willingness to tell me how it looks to you. It’s hard to think about readability from where I’m sitting. Most of what I can do depends upon WordPress templates etc., but I will take some time to dig into options. Thanks again!
I love to see your great photos, especially now when it is hard to get out into nature.
I could identify the Wild Bergamot, but had never considered this close of a view.
Thanks!