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Ghost Pipe
Hiking along the Ice Age Trail Near Whitewater Wisconsin and I came across these Ghost pipes. I had not ever seen them before or more likely, overlooked them. Nestled within serene woodlands and shaded groves lies a botanical treasure that has captured the fascination of both nature enthusiasts and researchers—the Ghost Pipe. This elusive...
Cup Plant Leaf
The cup plant is a North American perennial with distinctive cup-shaped leaves and yellow flowers. Although the ones that I saw this morning at Glacial Park, lacked flowers Their intriguing texture and shape caught my attention....
Timothy Grass
Timothy grass, is a perennial bunchgrass that is native to Europe and widely naturalized in North America. It is named after Timothy Hanson, an American farmer who promoted its use as a forage crop in the 18th century. It grows to between 2 and 4 feet tall. I really like the color and texture....
Lady Asian Beetle on Yellow Parsnip
The prairie of Glacial Park was teeming with an abundant presence of Lady Asian Beetles. Within this landscape, one could spot the growth of wild parsnip, a plant known to flourish in numerous states, such as Illinois and Wisconsin. However, this species is not native to the region, originating from Europe. When handling wild...
Spruce Lake Bog State Natural Area
Spruce Lake Bog, nestled near Dundee, Wisconsin, stands as a captivating Wisconsin State Natural Area. Covering a generous expanse of 35 acres, this bog beckons visitors to embark on its boardwalk loop for a magical journey. Personally, my aim in venturing to this area was to stumble upon the enchanting pink lady’s slippers and,...
Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars hold a special place among my favorite Spring wildflowers in Wisconsin. These delightful blossoms can be discovered in damp meadows, prairies, and open woods. Their captivating hues span a spectrum of reddish, pink, white, and purple. Standing at an impressive height of approximately 18 inches, they gracefully grace the landscapes they...
Birds Foot Violet- Hoary Puccoon
Birds Foot Violet- Hoary Puccoon I recently witnessed a controlled burn along the Ice Age Trail in a specific location that I’m choosing not to disclose. This burn had the positive effect of granting me access to an area I wouldn’t have explored otherwise. This area, though compact, is quite delicate and susceptible to...
Revived Fern Fronds
In early May, I strolled through the woods along the Ice Age Trail, with a sense of wonder, on the lookout for wildflowers or anything that might capture my attention. Starting from Olsen Cabin, I meandered along the IAT for a bit before veering towards the John Muir Hiking-Biking Trails. It was there that...
Everywhere A Sign
Everywhere a sign, here’s mine. I started volunteering with our local chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance in 2019. About 6 months before the nasty C word shut everything down. After many years of hiking and camping many different areas, it feels good to help preserve, protect and improve a trail system so...