Category Archives: Prairie Plants

Photo of the Week – January 18, 2017

Posted on by
28

Much of the Central United States is emerging from an ice storm that glazed streets and closed schools.  On the positive side, it also coated our prairies (and everything else) with a beautiful layer of ice.  As the sun came up yesterday morning, I was walking through one of our local prairies, surrounded by glittering, sparkling prairie plants.

Sunrise

Sunrise and icy prairie.

It was magical.

I had planned to walk around for an hour or so and take pictures, but ended up staying for four hours; leaving only because I got really hungry.  I usually save my “Photo of the Week” post for Thursday or Friday each week, but I couldn’t wait to share some images from yesterday morning.  I hope you enjoy them.

sunrise

Stiff sunflowers and sunshine.

Indiangrass

Indiangrass seeds.

Switchgrass

Switchgrass

Stiff goldenrod

Stiff goldenrod

Indiangrass

Indiangrass

Stiff goldenrod

Stiff goldenrod

Hole

I was surprised by this perfectly circular hole.

Switchgrass

Switchgrass seeds.

Indiangrass

Indiangrass seeds.

Grass

This ice boat seems to have sprung a leak.

g

Photo of the Week – January 5, 2017

Posted on by
6

Can you guess what this is a photo of?

enpo160702_d034

While the photo does look like leaping chicken ballerinas (according to my wife), that isn’t the correct answer.  Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to photograph leaping chicken ballerinas, though it is a lifelong goal of mine.

If you guessed it’s actually a photograph of Oenothera rhombipetala (fourpoint evening primrose) just after a rainstorm, you get the prize.  Treat yourself to something from your cupboard.  Chocolate, if you’ve got it.

The primrose photo was taken at the Niobrara Valley Preserve last summer.  Below is another photo from the Preserve, showing the same primrose species from a very different perspective, and with some other company.

enpo160710_d006

I hope your 2017 is off to a great start.  I also hope we all get the opportunity to see some leaping chicken ballerinas real soon.