Summer Wildflowers

As spring passes into summer, the native woodland wildflowers fade into memory. Along the prairie hiking paths and the bike trails, following the old railroad right of ways, I begin to look to look for the wildflowers of summer. Here is a sampling of some of this years highlights.

Narrow leafed (Common)Sunflower














Gayflower (liatris)
 

Culver Weed

  

Golden Rod

                    

Rattlesnake Master



Turkscap Lilies

Butterfly visits patch of purple coneflower.   How sweet it is.....:)

Tall

We're from I-O-way, I-O-way. State of all the landJoy on ev-'ry hand. We're from I-O-way, I-O-way.That's where the tall corn grows As the above picture and song indicates, Iowans , living in the heart of the corn belt are rightly proud of their states ability to grow tall and bountiful corn.




Not to be outdone, I, as a proud Minnesotan, hereby submit the following pictoral evidence of that States ability to grow tall plants as well. Both pictures were taken on a recent bike trip through the prairie.

Friend and fellow biker Gary, pointing to the top of a Canadian thistle... one of Minnesota's tall growing native plants.

Next, Troutbirder posing in front of a tall growing prarie wildflower. The narrow leafed Sunflower, which had to be about 18 feet tall.

"Minnesota hats off to thee. To our colors, true we shall ever be. Firm and strong united are we. So Rah Rah Rah for Skie U Mah. Rah Rah Fah Rah for the U. Of M......"

Now lets row the boat boys and crush those hawkeyes !

Heading Off To Mexico

I'd posted, just a couple of  years, ago how Mrs. T. and I had seen a huge gathering of 4th generation Monarch butterflies preparing to head off to winter in the Mountains of Mexico.  Now, a recent visit to our public library, gave us the opportunity to participate in this wondrous event.

Gathering and getting ready to launch at Lake Louise State Park in Minnesota....

Waiting to be born in the Spring Valley, Minnesota library.   Ms. Jenny is Director.

Mrs. Troutbirder and husband launch the Monarchs on their long trip to winter in Mexico....

What fun!!!

 

Hundred Miles to Nowhere

I really enjoyed this memoir . Click on Mark
Twain above to find out why on
Troutbirder II