Prairie

Leave a comment Posted on Chicago, Design and Patterns, Garden, Lincoln Park, Photography, Prairie Gallery

What plant does this belong to….

What early summer seed head does this belong to? It should be a native plant because in a restored prairie area of Lincoln Park, Chicago. It doesn’t seem to be Wild Quinine, nor Queen of the Prairie, nor Cow Parsnip which are all beginning to go into seed. But the seed head is conspicuous and amazing to observe. Enjoy. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Prolific abundance of seeds can sometimes single a stressed plant; it provides for the future of it’s species by making many more seeds than usual. Saving the species takes precedence over saving it’s own life. An interesting concept! Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Lincoln Park, Midwest U.S including Chicago, Photography, Prairie Gallery

Shooting stars in Lincoln Park…

Feel the warmth of the late springtime air. The grasses are green and the Shooting Star is in bloom by North Pond in Lincoln Park, Chicago. This delicate beauty is a native perennial for Chicago. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Close up of the small, too often unnoticed, Shooting Star. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Garden, Prairie, Tropical environments

Playful Asian…

This delicate Asian native, Pinwheel Jasmine (tabernaemontana divaricata) quietly commanded attention at the Morikami Japanese Garden in Del Ray, Florida. The leaves are evergreen with the most prolific bloom time being spring. Enjoy.

For history of it’s medicinal use: https://ww anw.naturalremedies.org/jasmin/

Leave a comment Posted on Ocean beaches and Florida nature, Prairie, Travel highlights

Seminole wet prairie…

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Cypress Swamp Dome, thin as itis. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Outside the AhTahThiKi Museum on the Seminole Reservation in Florida is a mile-long boardwalk through a Cypress Swamp Dome. Prior to engineered draining of the Everglades in the 1930s this land was wet enough to canoe the wet prairie land, swamp. Seminoles canoed for hunting. This means of provision is no longer available, cattle farming is now the main product of the land. The floor is wet seven to ten months of the year, which is then the growing season for the Cypress trees. The Dome appears sparse allowing enough sunlight to sustain its lush fern ground cover.

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Fern rich floor. Copyright 2018 Pamela Bretberg

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Looking to the heavens. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Images copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Miscellaneous, Prairie

Organized, more than less….

Yesterday I upgraded to WordPress’s Business plan only because I desperately wanted to organize my “categories” so they’re arranged more logically. Also I renamed some categories to be more appropriate. Hopefully this is a help for readers.

I realized as I was working that I tend to over categorize posts; so my goal is to limit a post’s categories to  a couple instead of many.  IF ANYONE HAS IDEAS on how to make my blog better, please let me know!! I always welcome your feedback.

I began my blog in 2010 so I suppose every eight years it’s due for cleanup. Sigh. WordPress recommends doing this every year!

FYI: In the business plan you can not only reorder and merge categories but you can take a tag, such as “birds” and turn it into a category!! Great tool. Thank you WordPress.

Leave a comment Posted on Nature, Ocean beaches and Florida nature, Photography, Prairie

Without reservation…

All images were taken at Billy’s Swamp Safari site on the Seminole Reservation, Florida. I have no reservations about recommending that you visit this amazing place. Include in your visit the AhTahThiKi Museum also located in their Reservation; Clewiston, Florida.

 

View from the quaint restaurant in Billy’s Swamp Safari. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

From a distance these bovine were having lunch. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Never ending beauty. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Great Egret stands out among browned winter grasses. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Nature, Ocean beaches and Florida nature, Photography, Prairie

When is a prairie is not a prairie…

The overal scene looks so much like an untouched prairie; greens are flourishing and going on for miles and miles. The sky is never ending. A vulture scans for lunch. This prairie is wild; no telephone lines or roads interupt it’s untamed beauty.

But on closer inspection, or if you remember you’re on “Aligator Alley”, a part of I75, you see evidence that this isn’t even a wetland prairie swam or bog. It’s much wetter and is infact part of the Florida Everglades. Take the closer look into this profound region.

“Prairie” grasses with wide open skies; NOT. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Hint: Great Egrets are not found in prairies. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Alligators are definitely not a part of a prairie habitat. They do bask in the sun next to water while they await their next meal. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

The Snowy Egret takes off to continue it’s hunt for food in Florida’s Everglades. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Miscellaneous, Nature, Photography, Prairie, Random Observations

A creative optimist’s apparition…

Most people see a puddle with a little weedy grass growing out of a crack in the sidewalk/pavement. When I walked past this spot I saw a miniature island paradise complete with sunshine peaking out of a few clouds in blue skies. I am ever the optimist. I look imaginatively at people and things.

Puddle or someone’s paradise? I must get out the microscope; but risk being run over. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Chicago, Garden, Lincoln Park, Midwest U.S including Chicago, Nature, Photography, Prairie

Winter blessings…

May your days be

full of miracles,

large and small.

I wish you faith, hope and love.

May you have faith as

You set hope-filled goals which

Include love

Love for yourself and

Love for others.

Faith that spirng will arrive at winter’s end. Hope that the robins’ return as plants waken from dormancy. Love for all of God’s “routine” miracles. ….nothing is routine about miracles. Each is wondrous. Happy New Year. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Garden, Photography, Prairie

Native abundance…

“This plant is a native, and with true American perspicacity and enterprise has forged his way from

magenta obscurity to the most prominent place in the floral world.”

‘My Garden’ by Louise Beebe Wilder, 1916

Phlox abundance. May you see the wonder all around you. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg