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
Out of the water for a bit, this male Mallard tries to hide among the Dandelions. These images were all taken one morning at Lincoln Park’s North Pond. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Grooming is ever a process when out of the water. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Male Wood Duck sunning on a warm spring day. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Mallard Duck family enjoying an outing in Lincoln’s Park, North Pond, Chicago. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Close up image of the male and female flowers of a Royal Palm (Roystonea regia). The popular, native species, has separate male and female flowers. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Cuba and Christians both connect the Royal Palm with religious signifigance. The specie’s primary use is for landscaping in Florida. Copyrightberg.
CLICK image above to become more familiar with the Royal Palm. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
These delicate spring blooms are the only Columbine native to Illinois: Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). These blooms were prolific today in Lincoln Park’s best kept secret, Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond.
Abundant spring Wild Columbine brighten the shady Caldwell Lily Pond. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Close up image of one of the Wild Columbine flowers. These flowers are visited by insects but avoided by larger animals who find them poisonous. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Restorative scene with Wild Columbine inviting one’s restful enjoyment. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
For more information on this Illinois native CLICK the image above. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
This time of year the leaves are new on the popular Sea Grape tree/shrubs. The “grapes” will follow later in the season. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
These Sea Grape trees had weathered leaves from the nearby ocean setting. New leaves were yet untouched by the salty winds. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
New Sea Grape leaves are reddish; mature leaves are green. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg