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Donna VanBuecken

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Pollinators finding a Haven amidst Downed Trees

August 2, 2019

While our friend Mark was busily cutting up a fallen native Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) tree, a Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) moth was busily nectaring on native Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa).

You can still hear Mark’s chainsaw in the background while this Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly was busily nectaring on native Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum).

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Comments

  1. Christian Nelson says

    August 2, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    Nice videos, Donna…thanks. Have to say that in the second video, that butterfly made a *lot* of noise while getting ready to take off. 🙂

    Reply
    • Donna VanBuecken says

      August 3, 2019 at 9:25 am

      Hi! Chris — I hadn’t really made the connection between the buzzing sound of the chainsaw and the sound insects make while they’re at work, but your comment made me think about it. Thanks for the smile this morning!

      Reply
  2. Toni Stahl says

    August 2, 2019 at 5:02 pm

    We call Monarda didyma “Bee Balm” in Ohio. We call the purple fistulosa “Wild Bergamot” https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MOFI. I love them both!

    Reply
    • Donna VanBuecken says

      August 3, 2019 at 9:18 am

      Hi! Toni — Your comment made me stop to think, so I did some sleuthing and found out that the genus Monarada has a variety of common names; Bee Balm and Wild Bergamot being only two. I always thought Monarda didyma (Scarlet Bee Balm) was not native to Wisconsin, but now because of your question, I see USDA says it is. Looks like we’ll have a new plant to add to my Wild Ones Chapter’s Spring Native Plant Sale. Thanks for the awakening!

      Reply
      • Toni Stahl says

        August 3, 2019 at 11:28 am

        Wonderful! Monarda didyma helps not only native bees, but hummingbirds as well! Enjoy!

      • Donna VanBuecken says

        August 3, 2019 at 4:56 pm

        You are absolutely correct, Toni. Thanks for reminding me.

  3. Cindy says

    August 2, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    Downed decomposing trees were supposed to have been everywhere once. Bark shredded off by lightning was sacred. You can cover some of the downed ash trees with turkey dropping and leaves. And plant native red honeysuckle, virgin’s bower (clematis) or other vine combinations. Wild cats used to hide in these places. I am not being original. Red honeysuckle reached three hundred feet once east of the Mississippi.

    I have a telephone pole put in my yard. I guess it is red oak. A very bright reddish brown crumble.

    Reply
    • Donna VanBuecken says

      August 3, 2019 at 8:59 am

      Hi! Cindy — it would be lovely if I could just let the trees lay, but they cover a good part of my prairie and I wouldn’t be able to walk through for a very long time just because they lay all which way. As for vines, the far northeast edge of my prairie, as it transitions into woodland, is covered with grape vines and Virginia-Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). It’s impossible to walk through that area without tripping. Unfortunately, not a good place for me to be navigating through.

      Reply
  4. Ney Collier says

    August 2, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    Horrid sound track Donna. There is a sign at the entrance of Doctors Park that reads:
    THIS PARK FOR SALE
    CALL COUNTY EXECUTIVE
    CHRIS ABELE (414)278 4212.

    I have a copy of the the original warranty deed bequeathing the park to the public and for a bird sanctuary. I quote: “The above described premises are sold and conveyed upon the express condition that the same shall be used forever solely and exclusively as a public park.”

    Reply
    • Donna VanBuecken says

      August 3, 2019 at 9:02 am

      That’s so sad, Ney. It seems since our current USA President feels he doesn’t have to honor USA agreements, others have adopted the same mindset about public obligations. It’s so sad to see what is happening to America’s integrity.

      Reply

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