On the 1 mile Pine Ridge loop I climbed the bluff quickly to get my heartrate going and my metabolism roaring. I didn't stop for more than a couple of seconds here and there to snap a few quick pitures with my point and shoot. Sunset was coming soon and I didn't want to be climbing down the bluff in the dark!
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| Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) |
Tall Bellflower was everywhere here, looking blue or purple depending on the light.
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| Campanula americana, Tall Bellflower |
Also plentiful was sunny patches of Yellow Jewelweed.
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| Imatiens Pallida, Yellow Jewelweed |
Also a mile loop, the Primrose Trail could be accessed from the bottom of the bluff or from the campground on top of the bluff. I walked this one quickly in the morning, using the staircase to get that burst of energy I was looking for.
A small patch of dry prairie remnant was being preserved between the campground and the bluff's edge, where False Foxglove and Culver's Root hung on as a reminder of the past. Hard to imagine this area full of prairies loaded with wildflowers instead of farms with corn stretching for miles across the hills.
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| Aureolaria pedicularia, Yellow False Foxglove |
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| Veronicastrum virginicum, Culver's Root |
The woods were quiet, no mosquitoes buzzing, and little traffic passed nearby to distract with modern noises. I hated to leave, and if there had been longer trails to explore maybe I wouldn't have!
Beautiful pictures Pam. I was interested in the jewel weed. Ours is always orange so I didn't know it could be yellow but I may have seen some here in the park that I didn't identify. So thanks for the tip. I love the angle you got on the mushroom. Looks like I could walk right under there and stand out of the rain.
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