Prairie Dock or Elephant Ears bloom all along the road and in many prairies this time of year.  The tall stems wave in the wind sprouting out of a bowl-like bunch of huge waxy leaves.   Settlers once used its long tap root to brew medicinal tea.

Where did summer go?  Gold finches are eating the seeds of prairie flowers and grasses.  I heard geese honking overhead yesterday.  The ferns are brown and the golden rod is peaking.

The turkey foot shaped tops of big blue stem grass are waving in the warm breezes that are crossing through the prairies in Marquette County.  The graceful jointed stems are seen in many places.   Today while out near Westfield, I saw 2 sandhill cranes that were changing from the brown juvenile year old coats to the soft gray of the adult.  I already miss the great birds as I know they will too soon be gone until next spring.

Walking on the roads and natural areas of Marquette County you can see the late summer burst of color of fall flowers.  Blazing star pokes its purple spikes in the air and compass flower turns its head to the sun.  At John Muir Park, a walk through the prairie has you meandering through a blooming wonderland.

I cut some new paths on my property so I and my 3 dogs can walk more easily each day.  It’s about a mile total and goes through prairie and woods.  I plan on putting a few benches along the way.   The orioles are still eating grape jelly.  The cranes are gathering in larger and larger groups.   My blazing star is blooming in a wild purple all over the land.

Hello and welcome to my blog!

My intent is to post notes about life in Marquette County, Wisconsin and my take, for what it’s worth, on what is happening in the world.

It’s still spring and the glory of nature is in full bloom, or headed there. I visited a favorite back road yesterday and the ferns had grown a foot since last week. I must have a nest of ducks somewhere in my woods because a hen was sitting in my drive and didn’t leave when I passed by her on my way out. I’m guessing she was taking a break from the babies.

Have a good one!

Kathleen