When you think of prairie do you think of giant grass taller than a human?
Flowers reaching up above your head?
You should.
Take a dawn stroll through the Illinois tallgrass prairie.
HD
even the pollen on big bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardi) is huge
Tallgrass prairie once stretched across North America's northern, central plains. But this land of the bison also offered prime agricultural soil. Most of our tallgrass prairie disappeared under a plow over the last 200 years. Fortunately, a number of farm families are preserving areas of tallgrass prairie, sections that were never plowed or only slightly used for agriculture. Some individuals are passing on this heritage by willing parcels of land to conservation groups.
The Jarrett Prairie Reserve and Center in Byron, Illinois, is a shining example of preservation, restoration, and conservation. Here you can experience a taste of tall grass. Listen to it whisper in the breeze and watch it come to life with the animal species that have returned to this oasis of habitat.
red-headed woodpecker in dawn light
On my morning bird-watching hike, I saw:
Canada geese
turkey vulture
Cooper's hawks
bald eagle (on the Rock River)
ruby-throated hummingbird
northern flicker
olive-sided flycatcher
eastern phoebe
warbling vireo
American crow
barn swallow
house wren
blue-gray gnatcatcher
American robin
gray catbird
European starling
cedar waxwing
chipping sparrow
field sparrow
northern cardinal
indigo bunting
red-winged blackbird
house fince
American goldfinch
It's late spring in the mountains of Southern California.
On the way up to see Chilao Visitor Center off the Angeles Crest Highway (CA State Highway 2), we were struck by the sharp beauty of the native yucca plants in blossom.
See this Yucca plant right along the highway!!
HD
The light streams through the dense blooms putting many orchids to shame.
Without this bit of water flowing down to the ocean, many native plants and animal species would find it very hard to make it during a California drought season.
The park is located four miles south of Highway 101 on
Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road.
Or 6.5 miles north up Malibu Canyon Road from Malibu and Pacific Coast Highway {California Highway 1}.
Native Oak Trees
From the Malibu Creek State Park website...
Campsites
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
Some Accessible trails
Dogs on a leash are allowed in the Park's day use areas and campground.
Dogs are not allowed on the backcountry trails or dirt roads.
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Environmental Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Interpretive Exhibits
Excellent Nature & Wildlife Viewing
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Pay Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Drinking Water Available
In this montane meadow at Togwotee Pass in Wyoming, discover wildflowers and the meadow thistle (Cirsium scaroiosum).
HD While some people collect photos of architecture or kittens, I love thistles. Native thistles in their natural environment.
meadow thistle (Cirsium scaroiosum)
Unlike most thistles, the meadow thistle has a single thick stalk with numerous flowers close together encircling the crown. Fine hairs on the leaves reflect the sun making the plant appear to glow on the mountain slopes.
I have a hunch these plants really dazzle in the ultraviolet part of the light spectrum, creating a beacon to attract native bees and insects. The meadow thistle lives at high elevation and must attract its pollinators during a short alpine summer.
creamy buckwheat (Eriogonium umbellatum var. subalpinum)
Togwotee Pass is adjacent to Tetons National Park and Yellowstone National Park. (watch bison in Yellowstone)
