Once the Shooting Star trail leaves the Lake Louise State
Park it continues to follow a former railroad bed across the prairie. While corn and soybean field are abundant the
right of way preserve in some respects the ancient prairie and its wildflowers.
Lets take a look at some more….
The namesake of the trail are the beautiful shooting stars. They come in colors but mostly white. 
Mrs. T wants me to make sure of the direction so we're not lost on the trail. Therefore, I stop and check a tall plant whose leaves
orient north and south - it's known on the prairie as a compass plant. 
Fascinating! Don't tell me you walked the entire trail, and back.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the natural prairie blooms!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. The prairie compass is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt rejuvenates a person to spend that much time in good native habitat.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful prairie photographs. I had never heard of the compass plant so I did a little research. Interestingly enough, the resin was used by Native American children as chewing gum.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I love the shooting star flower. I usually see it in pink and lavender, not white. :-)
ReplyDeleteI had not yet heard of the compass plant - so tall! Wonderful flowers and place. It's been quite a while since we've spent time on a prairie - we're so closed in by trees here. I enjoy both worlds!
ReplyDeleteSuch a large expanse of space, filled with prairie beauty!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have Shooting Stars up here so it was a treat to see that some do grow in Minnesota. What a wonderful trail! :)
ReplyDeleteLove it when states take an eyesore like an old railroad and turn it into a delightful recreation path making easy access to such great areas.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou know a lot about native plants and lore!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed these two posts about the Shooting Star trail. It was such fun hearing about the compass plant too!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed these two posts about the Shooting Star trail. It was such fun hearing about the compass plant too!
ReplyDeleteWildflowers are always the best aren't they? That looks like a terrific trail to follow.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
xo Catherine
Such beauty to behold out there in the wilds. Good for you guys to go check it out!
ReplyDeleteAnd whoever says the prairies hold no beauty, is TOTALLY wrong!! You do not need mountains and streams and Lakes to see the beauty. You are showing us.
ReplyDeleteGreat trail for hiking and/or biking... Love the little Shooting Stars.. So pretty... AND that Compass Plant is interesting...
ReplyDeleteI somehow missed the post about your losing Baron. SO sorry.. I know he was such a huge part of your lives... He will be missed. He was a gorgeous German shepherd... Are you gonna get another one?
Hugs,
Betsy
Fascinating to see the shooting star and puccoon blooming at the same time as the compass plant. Here (south central Kansas), the first 2 are early spring flowers and the compass plant blooms in the late July/August time frame.
ReplyDeleteVery nice blooms, you are a few weeks behind me.
ReplyDeleteExcellent wildflower photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love wild flowers, but the ones you showed us I don't often see, since I seldom get to the prairie. We're spending a week in the mountains in Utah with family. Our youngest got married here. Our others live in SW Wis and E NC.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful prairie photos!
ReplyDeleteAh, lovely flowers, lovely place. It almost makes me want to do a bit of bike-riding exercise myself!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe prairie looks healthy and watered. Our wild areas, even our ditches that are planted with wild flowers are not putting out much with no rain. I liked seeing all the flowers and glad you two found your way home.
ReplyDelete