This has been the perfect summer for beginning my retirement. Although last year was actually my first year, I spent that winding down from the activities related to my work as Wild Ones Executive Director. It was not easy winding down after nearly 20 years of work. Summer to Relax But this summer … [Read more...]
Labor Day Thoughts
Labor Day is a good day to reflect on life and the work we put into maintaining our natural environment when sometimes all around us seem to be so unconscious of its importance. Take the time to get outside today and just savor nature and the web of life of which we are so blessed to be a part. … [Read more...]
Red-Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) on Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana)
https://youtu.be/maKHeuPmpAk This rather tattered Red-Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) butterfly was nectaring on a native clematis vine known as Virgin's Bower (Clematis Virginiana). The clematis grows beautifully in a partially shaded fence on the west side of our swimming pool, and … [Read more...]
Rivers and Drifts: Natural Processes and Patterns in Designed Places
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...]
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...]
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...]