Summer Blooms

It's gotten cooler the last couple of days and we've been delighted to turn-off the AC, open some windows and spend time outdoors for fresh air, exercise and chores.

From our walk yesterday morning there is stiff goldenrod, wild bergamot (bee balm), black-eyed Susans and flowering turkey foot (big bluestem)….

 

Fall Colors

Our daily walk is now a mile for the human. It is anybody’s guess what it is for the pup as she’s here and there, forth and back, in and out, all over the place.  She is a joy to watch.

This time of year is when the asters bloom adding their own colors to the fall palette.  

And from one of our walks this weekend there was Oligoneuron rigida - commonly known as stiff goldenrod or stiff-leaved goldenrod.  It is a native North American plant belonging to the vast aster family (Asteraceae).  Canada goldenrod is far more common but this was included in our pollinator mix planted decades-ago.

Found east of the Rocky Mountains this plant grows stems that branch at the top into multiple small yellow flower heads.  Named after a stem and leaves that are hairy and rough to the touch differentiating this flower from other goldenrod species.  

Insects gravitate to this plant for its nectar to feed in late summer and autumn.

 

And, no, it doesn't cause you to sneeze.  Common ragweed is responsible for that.

Routines Are Good

Today marks the anniversary of the loss of our Blonde Lab, Queenie a year ago.  Aside from the loss of a family member I lost the individual most likely to delight in a morning walk when the conditions were good.  And maybe go out with a shotgun to see if we could jump-up some dinner.  Sigh.

Anyway, three days ago a nine-week-old Golden Retriever came into our lives.  Ruby is her name.  And I would be lying if I didn't share with you that raising a puppy is hard work.  It requires patience, routine, correction, redirection and a schedule of feeding, supervised play and exercise, potty training and rest.  Part of the routine includes daily walks.  Yes, I now have a walking partner who would prefer to run not walk.  Hooray!

From our walk this morning there was stiff goldenrod and sneezeweed.   Yup, X marks the spot where life is good...

Wildflower Walk

From our walk the other day the flowers of late summer and early autumn were showing-off.

Bergamot (bee balm)

Stiff goldenrod

Big bluestem (turkey foot)

And compass plant (as high as an elephant's eye)

Black-Eyed Susans

 

The Trails Are Paved With Gold

Meet Oligoneuron rigida - commonly known as stiff goldenrod or stiff-leaved goldenrod.  This is also a native North American plant belonging to the vast aster family (Asteraceae).  Canada goldenrod is far more common but this was included in our prairie seed mix planted decades-ago.

Found east of the Rocky Mountains this plant develops with stems that branch at the top into multiple small yellow flower heads.  Named after stems and leaves that are hairy and rough to the touch differentiating this flower from other goldenrod species.  

Insects gravitate to this plant for its nectar to feed in late summer and autumn. 

 

Fall Flowers - Part 2

From our walk there continue to be opportunities to exercise an immersive experience in the natural world around me.  

Lygaeus Kalmii - the Small Eastern Milkweed Bug – is found throughout the US. This critter dines on milkweed but is immune to the toxic chemicals in the plant.  And just as with the monarch butterfly the regular diet of milkweed also endows this beetle with the same properties making it toxic to other predators. Who knew? 

Of course there are New England asters as far as they eye can see.

Nevertheless, some golds of autumn too. 

Stiff goldenrod .....

And ginormous patches of sneeze weed....

King of the Prairie

 

Five months have passed since we conducted a controlled burn out back and the prairie planting continues to amaze as different plant species come into their seasonal glory. 

Big bluestem also called ‘Turkey Foot’ is one of the Four Horsemen of North America’s tallgrass prairie (the other three are little bluestem, Indian grass and switch grass)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some call it The King of the Prairie - a quintessential prairie grass.  No wonder - it towers over seven feet in height in some places. 

From our walk today it is rather breathtaking in the cool of autumn. 

Of course the New England aster and stiff goldenrod are rather showy too. Among the last remaining nectar sources for hungry pollinators.