Park Changes!

The playground equipment is gone at the park and so are many of the trees.  The city posted this on Nextdoor: 

• "The northwest corner of Northwood Park will close on Wednesday, March 16, and remain closed throughout the spring and summer of 2016. The portion of the park involved in the closure is on the west side of Boone Avenue, from the entrance to the playground parking lot north to Ensign Avenue and west to Northwood Lake. The park is being closed due to construction of storm water improvements, the installation of new play equipment, trail improvements, and other improvements in Northwood Park."

Though much of the park is under heavy construction, there is still much that is not, and construction can not stop spring!


Enjoy!


~ Robin

Winter Wildflowers

Many wildflowers keep some beauty in winter.  Above is Monarda Fistulosa (Wild Bergamot).  The  Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant) flower to the right is nearly gone, but still has some semblance of her former bloom.  And the Parthenium Integrifolium (Wild Quinine) below displays an interesting texture when dried.  She is on the state endangered species list.  Many of these have been picked over to some extent by birds wintering nearby.

Enjoy!

~ Robin 

Rise and Shine!

Tuesday, Rue Anemone were barely visible as little red sprouts peeking out from behind leaves on the forest floor.  Today, although still small, several can be seen in bloom.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

 

Late Summer Bugs

 Although the temperatures this week have started to cool, there were several damselflies and dragonflies out today.   Many of the grasshoppers have grown their wings.  And I found a milkweed beetle along the creek path.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Progressing . . .

In the forest and along the marsh road, White Snakeroot are progressing.  Some are just starting to open.  Some are in transition, and some have gone to fluffy seed. One has made a fine perch for a predator. 

Enjoy!



~ Robin

What's Blooming Now

Perennial Sowthistle

Purple Loosestrife

 Enjoy!

~ Robin

Compass Plant

Nodding Trillium

Nodding Trillium are in full flower along the first forest trail.

This flower is difficult to see because it hangs down under the large canopy leaves.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Red in the Forest

One might ask, since when is white red?  When it produces fruit!  This white flower is Red Baneberry.  It is starting to flower in the forest.  

Also, a more traditionally red flower - Red Columbine is flowering.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Unexpected Finds

A new yellow flower is popping up along the marsh road: Downy Yellow Violet.  I'm not sure if I just never noticed or if this is a new flower.  Also, there are a number of Shooting Stars forming buds along the creek.  This one has blossomed.

Enjoy!

~ Robin  

Brave Little One

My first wildflower find this year is a Rue Anemone.  This one is quite small and was hard to find.  Later they grow greener and larger and dot the forest hillside with their little pink flowers.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Earthy Elegance

The petals are gone. But the frosted dried flower that remains still holds an earthy elegance all its own.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Photo taken November 15, 2013

Frosty Morning

Beautiful and brisk this morning.  Frost stayed until suns rays touched.  New England Aster are troopers, one of the last wildflowers to retain a bit of color.

Enjoy!

~ Robin  

Raindrops Keep Fallin'

Yesterday my husband woke singing "Raindrops keep falling on my head ..."  Today was no exception.  Sometimes rain brings out more color and contrast.  I enjoyed my photo walk this afternoon in the rain.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Yippee Skippy!

Several skippers were out to play along the creek path.  They were partial to the blazing prairies wildflowers.

Enjoy!

~ Robin 

Chickweed

A patch of Chickaweed along the marsh road is opening.

Enjoy!

      ~ Robin

Rattlesnake Master

The spiky balls of Rattlesnake Master soften as they flower white. 

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Nature's Cup

Lining the two ponds on Boone Avenue, are many tall yellow Cup Plants.  One need only inspect the stalks after a rain to know how they got their name.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Great St. Johnswort!

Great St. Johnswort.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Four O Clock Ambush?

Shhh ... do you see him?  I missed him at first.  These pretty Wild Four O Clock's hide something.  Perhaps waiting in ambush ... Look in the middle of the top photo - and on top in the side photo.  Could it be some kind of Assassin Bug waiting to strike?  If it is, be careful ... they BITE!  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

New Wave Of Spring ... Purple

In the forest and lining the marsh road, a couple of spring purple flowers are starting.  Above is a Dames Rockets.  To the side is a Wild Geranium.

Enjoy!

~ Robin