Thriving Prairie

This is a twofer blog day… Because even as my vegetable garden has struggled, with no effort at all the prairie has been thriving. Variety, beauty, all sorts of goodness. We’re moving into goldenrod season now, so I thought I’d take a little trip through the flowers that have bloomed in late July/early August. I took these before going on an 8-mile bike ride on Saturday. That was a great ride– so nice to give energy to something other than work or domestic tasks.

goldenrod with our houseEven before they’re in full bloom, goldenrod are gorgeous.

goldenrod in bloomOf course, in bloom they’re even more gorgeous!

purple coneflowersEchinacea/purple coneflowers always amaze me.

purple coneflower with butterflyAs do the butterflies they attract. Anyone know what this butterfly is?

prairie flowers AugustBut they aren’t alone…

bergamotThe bergamot are past their prime but still gorgeous– and bloomed in such big bunches this year.

sawtooth sunflowerYou have to get up close to appreciate the sawtooth sunflower fully. The pollinators open up the core to expose more little flowers…

grey headed coneflowerBut the grey-headed coneflower is, for me, the Queen of the Prairie. She dances over all the other flowers on her narrow stem with her drooping ballet skirt.

And though I have no photos, the monarch butterflies are starting to arrive. They do their ecstatic dances and mating all over everywhere and float above the prairie. The crickets are just arriving, too, to serenade them and drive the chickens crazy in their pursuit of protein treats!

 

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2 Responses to Thriving Prairie

  1. Helen Wang says:

    Butterfly looks like a red admiral.

  2. susanmsink@gmail.com says:

    Yes, I think you’re right! Thanks, Helen!

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