Two Weeks and a Couple Days Later

Two weeks and a couple of days ago I explored a local fen in search of Grass of Parnassus and fringed gentians. While I found the Grass of Parnassus were having an outstanding blooming season, I struck out on fringed gentians and bottle (closed) gentians. I planned to return to assure the absence of blooms was due to timing and not something else.

This morning was my time to check the fen again. A smile came across my face when I found many fringed gentians, bottle gentians, and an assortment of other late fall wildflowers.

I will share a sampling of images below. If my video will work, I include more photos from this morning in that clip.

Feathers Above the Water, Feather on the Water, Fungi, and Foliage

My morning paddle trip provided a number of wildlife observations. Above the water there were warblers, an adult bald eagle, and green herons.

On the water was a single feather carrying a water drop.

Fungi was thriving on a log over the water.

And foliage is beginning to change colors next to the water.

It was a pretty morning!

Glimpses of Autumn From Sweet Marsh and the Sweet Water Trail

All around the landscape Mother Nature is providing pretty glimpses of the changing seasons. If a person slows down to look around, the scenes come into view.

I hope you enjoy some of what I saw this morning.

Can’t Put A Finger On It

As I passed this scene at ground level I was mesmerized. Was it the steam rising off the wetland? Was it the long shadows formed by the sun backlighting the trees that are slowly expanding on the green space? Was it the assembly of all?

I don’t know why, but I really liked this scene and am looking forward to more like this as autumn 2025 progresses. I was glad I had my drone with me.

Aerial Seeding of Cover Crops

When a friend of mine mentioned she and a group of others would be working with pilots to aerial seed fall cover crops today, I asked if I might be able to stop by to watch and learn. Wow… what an education I got!

Part of the Mix

Very few locations considered “virgin prairies” exist in Iowa (or probably elsewhere). Most of the prairies we do have were likely the beneficiaries of human help.

Today our Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with our NRCS team, and with volunteers from…

Senior/Junior

During my morning exploration I found a tree hosting turkey vultures - all adults. This bird was on the top of the tree.

Flying nearby (in lesser quality light) was this young turkey vulture. Notice how the face is not red yet. In four to five years the head will become bright red.

It won’t be long before the turkey vultures head south. Generally vultures are fair-weather birds and are seldom seen when there is snow on the ground. (Of course there are always the early arrivals and late departures, but the bulk of the vultures are not around when snow is.)

Pics From the Weekend

Once again we enjoyed a pleasant “outdoor weekend” with family and friends. Temperatures were cooler than last weekend, but the sights and sounds were nice.

Following is a sampling of images..

Signs of Water Health

Right near my dock I noticed a stick in the water where I was going to drop my canoe. Since I am particular about my canoe, I was prepared pull the stick out of the way. As I went to reach for the branch I noticed a freshwater bryozoan that was established on the branch. Since freshwater bryozoans are rather fragile and are indicators of good water, I opted to work around it as I took some pictures and went on my way.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit and Green Dragon Seed Comparison

Last week I found and photographed two red-berry (seed) clumps. I knew one was a Jack-in-the-Pulpit plant, but I was not sure of the other.

According to my app, the second clump of seeds was a “green dragon.” Green dragon plants are…

So Which Is It?

My fugus app tells me this is either a giant puffball or a mushroom found in Europe. I suppose I should lean toward the puffball ID, but I am not quite sure. Maybe time will tell.

What a Weekend!!!

What a great weekend spent with family and friends. So much happened, so many experiences, so many pictures For now I will share some that I really liked.

Mostly Yellow and Some at Twelve Feet

Most of today’s images feature domestic plants - giant sunflowers. Cultivated or not, there is something pretty about bright yellow flowers high in the sky. Today the sunflower heads were…

Scenes From Rural America

This morning’s moody weather helped to make a few interesting “Rural America” pictures.

Subtle Changes with a Life Bird For Me

Unless you are studying the environment, you may not realize how fast the season is changing. Soybeans and corn are beginning to yellow. Leaves on trees are changing their hues - some very slightly and others more pronounced. And, the bird migration to warmer climates is well underway.

As I paddled the Wapsipinicon River this morning I was treated to four warbler species. One of those - the…

No Chlorophyll Yet Surviving and Exotic/invasive Fungi

During my explorations today I found Indian Pipe growing. Indian Pipe is an unusual plant in that it lacks chlorophyll. This plant gains its nutrients by parasitizing fungi that feed off tree roots. What an interesting plant.

During my studies I learned something interesting about golden oysters…

Observations From Big Woods Lake

Each of the following images was recorded at Big Woods Lake this morning. I shared the water with several….

Emotions and the Healing Power of Nature

There are times in the Public Safety world when you walk away from an incident with emotions challenging your mental well-being… you don’t know whether to cry, run, or puke… sometimes it is tough while at the same time you are excited by the hope of what the future might hold. Feelings bounce back and forth in your head at rapid-fire rate from one extreme to the other until the adrenaline wears off.

Today we had an incident that, based on the initial page, we thought might be completed with one ambulance and a fire/law response. That all changed when responder family arrived on scene and recognized more help was needed.

Apparently EMS folks from across the county heard the request “we need…

Bokeh, Blur, Shadows, and Critters

After a brief, but important project this morning that ended well, I “settled” by enjoying a prairie walk at a location I have not strolled for weeks. As I walked with my camera I was watching for…

My Day in Segments, My Day in Pictures

As the title suggests, the activities of my day varied from one theme to another. I’ll do my best to provide concise descriptions by topics.

Morning Prairie Plants

Kristy asked that I try to document the prairie plants near our mailbox. These are what I got, considering how “busy” the area is.