Curiosity goes for a hike
It was early evening. I had about 90 minutes of daylight left and a 20-minute drive. I hadn’t been out exploring for days because of heavy rain and storms. This evening, I wanted to go out, even for a bit before dark. I had a hunch or hope about where to find some White...Continue reading
On a crisp mid-October Saturday morning, I made my way to Rock River Heritage County Park, which is aptly named as it’s situated on the banks of the Rock River in Rock County, Janesville, Wisconsin. This park is a recent addition to the area, having opened its gates just this summer. Prior to its transformation...Continue reading
Late August is a magical time for nature enthusiasts, especially at Lulu Lake, The Nature Conservancy. Surprisingly, this late in the season, the landscape is still adorned with an impressive array of wildflowers. As I hiked along the old railroad bed, I was overwhelmed by the amount of wildflowers still blooming. Late August is a...Continue reading
Hiking along the Ice Age Trail Near Whitewater Wisconsin and I came across these Ghost pipes. I had not ever seen them before or more likely, overlooked them. Nestled within serene woodlands and shaded groves lies a botanical treasure that has captured the fascination of both nature enthusiasts and researchers—the Ghost Pipe. This elusive...Continue reading
The cup plant is a North American perennial with distinctive cup-shaped leaves and yellow flowers. The leaves grow directly opposite each other so as to create a cup to retain water. Their intriguing texture and shape caught my attention. These were looking amazing at Glacial Park this morning.
Timothy grass, is a perennial bunchgrass that is native to Europe and widely naturalized in North America. It is named after Timothy Hanson, an American farmer who promoted its use as a forage crop in the 18th century. It grows to between 2 and 4 feet tall. I really like the color and texture.
The prairie of Glacial Park was teeming with an abundant presence of Lady Asian Beetles. Within this landscape, one could spot the growth of wild parsnip, a plant known to flourish in numerous states, such as Illinois and Wisconsin. However, this species is not native to the region, originating from Europe. When handling wild parsnip,...Continue reading
Spruce Lake Bog, nestled near Dundee, Wisconsin, stands as a captivating Wisconsin State Natural Area. Covering a generous expanse of 35 acres, this bog beckons visitors to embark on its boardwalk loop for a magical journey. Personally, my aim in venturing to this area was to stumble upon the enchanting pink lady’s slippers and, with...Continue reading
Shooting Stars occupy a unique spot among the late Spring wildflowers I cherish in Wisconsin. These enchanting blooms, formerly known as “prairie pointers,” are found in moist meadows, prairies, and open woods. Displaying a captivating range of colors, including reddish, pink, white, and purple, these flowers stand tall at an impressive height of around 18...Continue reading
I recently observed a controlled burn along the Ice Age Trail in the Southern Kettle Moraine. This burn had the beneficial outcome of allowing me to explore an area that I wouldn’t have ventured into otherwise. I had identified this specific area near the Ice Age Trail using Google Maps’ satellite view. While unofficial...Continue reading