Many thanks to everyone who contributed prairie limericks this week. There were way more than I can share here, so please go back and read the full batch in the comments beneath last week’s post. Some were clever, but didn’t quite fit the limerick mold, especially in terms of rhythm. Others were well done – I just didn’t have room for all of them.

Since there were so many good limericks, my writing duties this week have been greatly eased – I appreciate that! Please enjoy the following prairie limericks. (And start thinking about contributions for next year!)

To wander, to pause, and to gaze
is considered by some to just laze.
But those who take time
will see prairies are fine —
they nourish, console, and amaze

Linda Leinen

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Picky pruners pull out frogfruit,
Defending its value, most moot.
The plant’s not a weed,
to Skippers it’s feed,
and food for the crawling cute newt.

Marilyn Lanser

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While bison look small in the prairie
Up close they can be much more scary
So stay in your truck
And don’t test your luck
Keep your eyes peeled and always be wary

John Helzer

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On days when the sunlight is waning,
And one’s very life force is draining,
Then get out on the prairie,
Let your heart be merry,
And maybe you’ll quit your complaining.

Karen D

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The prairie grass bends in the breeze,
And hosts rodents and birds and bees.
So please take good care,
For their future we bear,
Conservation is what we must seize!

Susan Przybylo

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Cerrado, Savannah or Prairie
Tall grass or short grass or varied
With the rodents and birds
And the great mammal herds
Make an ecosystem extraordinair-e

Janet Reid

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While turkey-foot tickles the sky,
the little blue pleases the eye.
But the fine bushy bluestem
can bring forth an “Amen!”
when sending its fluff off to fly.

Linda Leinen

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Tall grasses flowers and birds
Inspire so many words
Bees buzz about
The critters come out
It’s a place for us natural nerds

Gail Vanderheyden

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The deep loamy soil has a taste
A palate for all things there placed
Buried roots, sticks, stones
And buffalo bones
Below not a thing goes to waste

Nichole Rose B

Thanksgiving morning was overcast with light snow here in Aurora, Nebraska. We had a big family gathering yesterday, but no plans for today, so I ventured out to get some fresh air. I took my camera because I always take my camera, but I wasn’t overly optimistic about the kinds of photos I’d get. Photography in flat low light conditions can be difficult because both color and texture are greatly muted. Accordingly, I looked for strong patterns and clear contrast between prairie plants and the 4-5 inches of snow that was on the ground.

I didn’t see any other people walking in the snowy prairie on Thanksgiving morning, but I wasn’t completely alone. I saw tracks of a big deer that had probably hidden in the little patch of prairie and woods on the edge of town during the recent rifle deer season. Tracks of rabbits and birds were all over the place too, the latter clearly foraging on seeds from a wide variety of prairie plants. I also got a brief glimpse of a vole that popped out of the snow at my feet, scurried about 8 feet across the surface, and then dove back into the snow again.

I spent a lot of time on my knees, exploring small holes in the snow where grasses and other plants were poking out. Yesterday warmed up enough to do a little melting of snow around the edges of those holes, leaving behind interesting patterns. In some cases, the ice crystals on those edges were the subject of the photo – other times, they just helped frame leaves or stems in nice ways.

I nearly decided not to go out this morning. It wasn’t terribly cold, but it was the kind of damp cold that seems to seep right through winter clothing. As I was waffling, the wind picked up, making me even more hesitant to leave the house. Eventually, though, my desire to be outside outweighed my doubt about whether I’d find anything worth photographing in the flat light and windy cold temperatures. I should have known better – deciding to go walk in a prairie is almost never the wrong choice, and once I was there, I had a great time. I hope you enjoy this selection of images from my hike. Happy Thanksgiving!