Prairies; They Make July Special As Well

We're not really supposed to repeat ourselves here, and we're never to write less than 400 words. I've already written about prairies, but I have all these photos ... And, after experiencing such a variety of habitats over these last few months, from the Mojave Desert to the foothills and chaparrals of the Sierra Nevada's to the higher elevations, I can't but help to once again ponder prairies. And it is July again; I said so just last week. I also said that the cycle of the seasons, like the Great Turtle of ancient lore, lumbers slowly along, indifferent to that which its travels precipitate. Many birds are beginning to migrate south. Early ephemeral butterflies have lived out their brief lives. Gardens are swelling with blossoms and vegetables and fruit. And spring wildflowers have long since given way to summer-blooming species. That means prairies.

July and prairies are inseparable in my mind. They reach peak bloom. They attract butterflies and birds and unseen four-legged creatures. They are a unique environment that has evolved to tolerate summer heat and drought. They are the pinnacle of summer, a wildflower paradise, but don't take my word for it; see for yourself.

While the Great Turtle of ancient lore is snobbishly indifferent to that which its travels precipitate, I have savored ever single moment - okay, not every single moment - of my travels, not just these last few years, but throughout life. These travels through life have taken me to Adams County, Ohio, where I discovered there to be several prairie remnants, including Lynx Prairie, Adams Lake Prairie and Chaparral Prairie. Soon thereafter I discovered Bigelow Prairie and Smith Cemetery Prairie in central Ohio, and Irwin Prairie west of Toledo. And there are many more such remnants in Ohio.

While in Indiana I discovered several prairies remnants in the northwest corner of the state. These, every bit the botanical treasure trove their Ohio counterparts were, offered a variety of prairie species not encountered in Ohio.

I discovered small prairie-like areas in southern Mississippi, where Liatris species dominated. Along roadsides further west, through Louisiana and up into Oklahoma, prairie species persisted, such as Maximillian's Sunflowers.

And of course there was Konza Prairie, in Kansas ...

I've written about prairies in the past (Ocean Swells of Prairie Blossoms), as well some prairie species (The Secrets of Blazing Star Revealed (Ho-hum), Nothing Common About Sunflowers, to name two.) I have no intention of repeating any of that here. I just want to point out, among the many natural glories July offers us, prairies are at the top of the list.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic