Nationally known landscaper designer Wisconsin son Darrel Morrison was the keynote speaker for Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter's 20th Annual Toward harmony with Nature Conference held on January 20, 2016. The Chapter recorded Darrel's presentation and made it available to Wisconsin Public … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2017
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus linnaeus) and Cupplant (Silphium perfoliatum)
https://youtu.be/nshJKhjZrrg Show in this brief film is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus linnaeus) nectaring on Cupplant (Silphium perfoliatum). Because of all the rain we had earlier in the year, this year's Cupplant in my prairie is much taller than its usual 6 feet. It has to be … [Read more...]
Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)
I haven't seen any ragweed in my prairie for years, but this year I noticed several Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) plants -- and only because they towered over the Ox-eye Sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides). I could hardly believe my eyes! … [Read more...]
Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa)
The first time I saw Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa) was during a tour of Wild Ones member's home in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin back in the late 1980s. She had used it as a privacy border between her driveway and her neighbors. I remember thinking what a unique way to provide privacy, yet a sense of … [Read more...]
Total Eclipse of the Earth 2017
On August 21, 2017 Earth will experience a total eclipse of the sun. It will be visible from within a narrow corridor across the United States. Although the moon’s penumbral shadow (a partial eclipse) will be able to be seen by most Americans, only its umbral shadow will be seen in certain … [Read more...]
National Honey Bee Day August 19, 2017
August 19, 2017 -- the third Saturday of the month -- is National Honey Bee Day. This year's theme is "For A Natural High: Smoke Some Bees!" That theme, of course, refers to the process of harvesting honey from bee hives. Recognized by then Secretary of Agriculture of the United States Thomas … [Read more...]