Prairie

Leave a comment Posted on Garden, Lincoln Park, Photography, Prairie Gallery

Among the prairie grasses…

The tall, green stars of the prairies (not to be confused with Blazing Star found on the prairie), the vast expanses of grasses, are reaching their beautiful, golden stage while still upright blowing in the breeze. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Obediant Plant continues to bring color to the ever fading hues on the prairie landscape. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Peeking out through the grasses is a small clump of Japanese Anemone. Not a native species, but a welcome addition in this urban patch of prairie. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.

Leave a comment Posted on Birds, Design and Patterns, Lincoln Park, Painting and Sketches, Prairie Gallery

Summer acrylic attempts…

Still learning. I chose an old wall along Lake Michigan’s pathway to challenge myself this summer. I began plein air and spent quite awhile finishing indoors using photographs for support my memory. Why choose the wall? Because I think it has character; and I love characters. Hmm…..

The Red-wing Blackbird is an old favorite pal on my prairie adventures. Was able to take a good photograph of him, so painted him from the photograph.

And finally, two paintings were after I listened to a two part “20 brush strokes” class online. These were two projects, choosing five brush strokes learned (any 5 of 20). One is the wall (straight horizontal view) and the other is a field with trees in background. Just fun.

Enjoying retirement! Comments/critiques are always welcome and encouraged!

copyright 2018, Pamela Breitberg

copyright 2018, Pamela Breitberg

copyright 2018, Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Chicago, Design and Patterns, Lincoln Park, Nature Gallery

Nature’s skyscraper…

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

Leave a comment Posted on Butterflies, Chicago, Garden, Prairie Gallery

Shades of sunshine…

Close up of late summer yellows that are so prevalent in the Midwest prairies. They are beginning to change from flower to seeds. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Reflections from rain drops on the petals. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

The open spaces between the tall thin stands of priaire yellows makes it seem that this small space is actually quite large. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Spying a Monarch butterfly is icing on the cake today; soon they will migrate South leaving stands of seedheads and golden grasses. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

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Urban wilds…

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

Leave a comment Posted on Birds, Lincoln Park, Photography, Prairie Gallery

Ever vigilant…

The male Red-wing Blackbird appear flighty and quite noisy when one strolls through the prairie. Here at a restored prairie-land in Lincoln Park, Chicago a Red-wing Blackbird remains alert while resting on a fence and then a pathway. The restored prairie is fenced and therefore protected; but the location around South Pond is a favorite hangout of families when visiting the adjacent Zoo making feathered parents alert and restless. Males may guard up to a dozen ground laid nests. It appeared that today he was watching some young ones practice flight. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

A caring, vigilant father watching over his young. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

A momentary change of location while this Red-wing Blackbird keeps close watch on passers-by. 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 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 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