Shooting Star Trail

With the loss this summer of my friend and faithful hiking companion Baron, I was forced to turn to biking for my needed regular dose of physical exercise.  Fortunately there are a number of scenic bike trails in the immediate area.  Thus it was some weeks ago that I traveled to LeRoy Minnesota and the start of the Shooting Star bike trail.  The trail winds its way west through beautiful Lake Louise State Park and then further on across corn and soybean land just north of the Iowa border.  With Barb (Mrs. T) joining us,  hop on board and we’ll take a look…..

Along the way we see an unusual number of that quintessential prairie bird the dickcissel. From the front they look like a miniature meadow larks...

By mid July the prairie wild flowers in Lake Louise State Park are spectacular.

The Pale Coneflowers seem more vibrant than pale.

The Prairie Lilies certainly aren't shy. They stand out from quite a distance as you approach.

Some more Pale Coneflowers this time joined by a strangely named plant called the Rattlesnake Master. It's the tall one in front....

A whole lot of Rattlesnakes?

Along this bike trail if your "in the clover" your looking at our native Purple Prairie Clover.

Or it's close relative the White Prairie Clover.

Even the  

Swamp Milkweed takes on a new luster in this setting. I can certainly see why the monarch butterflies like them.

And speaking of butterflies here is Butterfly Weed.  They practically glowed as we saw them scattered along the trailside. We're about halfway down the trail.  About five miles more to go. I'll be back in a few more days with "the rest of the story."