wetland | The Prairie Ecologist

A guest post from Anne Stine, one of our Hubbard Fellows. All photos are by Anne.

Fresh snow on bushclover and yarrow in the Derr Sandhills. The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies, Nebraska.

I’ve finally returned to Wood River after a long absence. It’s been ages since I was out on the prairie, or since I even saw it out the window. The re-acquaintance period after my long time away did not disappoint. Just after I got back, we had some fun weather in the wake of the polar vortex (though I was *less* excited about the frozen pipes…). Specifically, we saw fresh snow followed by hoarfrost. I was pleased to have a reason to get outside and take pictures.

Hoarfrost on Canada goldenrod

I’ve seen hoarfrost before, but I’m struck by how lacey and delicate the world looks with white limning the edges of each leaf and twig. Fresh snow is dramatic in its own right. I like the way it fuzzes out the horizon and scatters light.

Hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) on the Derr Sandhills during a light snow shower.

I am also pleased to report that I have retained my ability to withstand the cold weather. I dress like an arctic explorer, but at least I get outside!

If you’re curious, this is the face behind the posts… winter edition.

The morning I woke to hoarfrost, I made a bee-line to the sand pit restoration to capture it on the cottonwoods. The sand pit restoration is one of my favorite places to tromp around in the Platte River Prairies. I return there regularly enough I was able to make this fun comparison of summer and winter images. I find this reconstructed wetland to be picturesque year-round. These two pictures are up on TNC Nebraska’s Instagram, nature_ne. I’m so glad I’m here to see the much-feared prairie winter.

Sand pit restoration: summer vs. winter.

Hoarfrost lining my favorite cottonwood, ice on the creek.

Another view of my favorite cottonwood, framed by common evening primrose stalks.

Earlier this week, I found myself lying on my back in the tight crawlspace beneath a house at our Platte River Prairies, helping our land manager fix a ruptured water line. For this claustrophobic prairie ecologist, the dark cramped space under that double wide trailer house was a test of psychological endurance. As soon as the repair was finished, I found myself in desperate need of a walk under the big open sky. Fortunately, that sky was mottled with attractive clouds, and one of our restored wetlands was close by, so I grabbed my camera and took a nice restorative hike.

This frozen stream/wetland had plenty of interesting textures and shapes to look at and photograph. Most importantly, however, it was big, wide, and open. The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies, Nebraska.

The white streaks in the ice created an impression of flowing water even though they weren’t moving. There was, however, water flowing beneath the ice, despite the cold snap we’ve had.

Recent strong winds scattered hybrid cattail seeds around the ice in a few places, making interesting photographs, but spelling work for us next year as we try to keep those cattails from taking over too much of the site.

Beavers have dammed up much of this restored stream/wetland area, helping us in our effort to create a variety of habitat conditions. The strong groundwater influence of the stream usually keeps it from freezing up completely, even during the coldest periods of winter.

The Prairie Ecologist

Essays, photos, and discussion about prairie ecology, restoration, and management

Tag Archives: wetland

Hubbard Fellowship Blog – Back on the prairie: fresh snow and hoar frost

Photo of the Week – January 9, 2014