The Autumn Olive Walk, September 4, 2009
Heidi, my writing intern for Mennonite Creation Care Network, came with me on this walk on her last day at Merry Lea. It was a beautiful, sunny day with ribbons of mist in the fields in the early morning. I was deeply flattered later when she told me that taking walks with me was the highlight of her time at Merry Lea!

Seen or Heard:

• Autumn Olive berries are ripe and tasty!

• White Turtlehead is in bloom at Luckey’s Landing. We just missed the swamp rose mallow.

• Cardinal flower and Great Blue Lobelia in bloom on Oshtemo Wetland and High Lake.

• Saw two nighthawks in flight over the shrub carr between Luckey’s Landing and the Learning Center. I didn’t expect them at this time of day. They appeared to be going somewhere, not feeding. It is the time of the year that they migrate.

• Learned new flowers: Pearly Everlasting in the Luckey Prairie, Purple Gerardia in Bear Lake prairie; Narrow-leaved Sunflower, south of the sand dunes.

Sorry, no photos. Camera batteries kaput.
Posted at 14:24 #