In North America, a common wild animal is the Eastern Grey Squirrel. Technically a “rodent”, the Grey Squirrel is considered either a beloved neighbor or an unwelcome rat. I fall into the first group; when I had my own garden I enjoyed watching them dine on spilled birdseed laying under the feeder. CLICK on the image for more information. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Love the thick, furry tail. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
A common, which means favorite, summer bloom in Chicago is the Coreopsis. Today I learned it’s also Florida’s state wildflower! Plus it’s a native to Missious as well; it certainly gets around! That means coreopsis is my new favorite wildflower because it connects with each of my worlds. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Naturally living together, the Black Eyed Susan and Aster bloom in the early Autumn providing color and beauty on my morning walks. Each beautiful on their own; their charm is enhanced while blooming amongst each other. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
So similar that we recognize both as perennial flowers; yet each unique. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Jerusalem Artichokes nod to distant man-made skyscrapers as they reach to the sky around Lincoln Park’s North Pond. The John Hancock is the high building with the two antennas. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Obediant Plants seemed to mimic Chicago’s downtown skyscrapers in design and statue. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Chicago’s downtown looking south from Lincoln Park’s South Pond and prairie-land. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Native prairie perennials, Bee’s Balm are apart of this restored prairie land. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Two Green Heron enjoy the South Pond along with either a Painted turtle or a Red Ear Slider. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Prairie perennial, Rattlesnake Master. Ouch!! Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Prairie Cup Plant reaches out to the sun. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Yellow is the color of the late summer prairie. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Restored prairie-land around Lincoln Park’s South Pond; an effort for a sustainable ecosystem. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
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
Those that have read my blog for a while know that Snowball flowers are one of my favorite since childhood. In my garden I had a Snowball Shrub (Viburnum plicatum). The Snowballs I observe in abundance now are Snowball Hydrangea (Handrangea arborescens), a shrub with a lower profile and native to the United States of unlike the Viburnum species. Thier intricate, delicate, complicated design is truly the work of higher being.
The delicate color changes with subtle lighting changes. Flowers are a greenish white in the sunlight and a golden off-white in the shade. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Simple design of each flower plus dozens, perhaps hundereds or blooms per cluster equal an established miracle. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
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
