Travel down the streets in Quincy. Illinois on a spring day and you’ll see why it’s been recognized as a Tree City USA.
During the annual Dogwood Festival, the Dogwood trees seem to compete in their own beauty pageant. Every yard seems to sport its own tree, a mixture of creamy white blossomed trees and the more familiar pink Dogwood flowers.
The annual Dogwood Festival will be held next weekend, May 2 through 4, 2008, though I should be returned to my home in Madison by that time. I’m anxious to see what the last blast of winter did to my just-peeking-out bulbs and perennials, not to mention my own flowering trees.
Owen Conservation Park
Madison WI
Owen Conservation Park
Madison, Wisconsin
43°4′ 23″ N, 89°29′ 15″ W43.073104-89.48737
Cloud white puffs in rows
Hover over leafless trees
Silhouette the trees.
Nature clothes the land with snow
Winter’s palette black and white
Winter in Owen Park Conservation Park
Madison, Wisconsin
Caught in golden grass
As red oak leaf drifts to earth
Seeks freedom of wind
Photographed on November 10, 2007 at Owen Conservation Park in Madison, Wisconsin.
Metal monkey kings
Arms curved, crowns atop their heads
Downtown protectors.
This gate was seen in downtown Indianapolis, found across the street from Monument Circle and Indiana’s State Capitol Building. I call it the monkey king gate. Can you make out the monkey’s face with it’s arms curved around his head and the crown atop his head in the center of each panel? I’m sure there is a technical name for this style of metalwork, but for this post, monkey king will do.
Indianapolis, Indiana
June 7, 2007
At the forest’s edge
An acorn has taken fruit
Four leaves, an oak tree.
This fledgling oak tree found at Owens Conservation Park in Madison, Wisconsin in late October.
Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit http://feverishthoughts.com/garden/2006/06/23/green-thumb-sunday for more information.
Deep blue lake trapping
Reflection in calm waters
Double yellow orbs
Just after sunrise on a calm mid-October morning at Indian Lake County Park in Dane County, Wisconsin
Yellow maple leaves
Crunching and browning on road
Stone wall gently curves
A perfect late October day for a road trip to Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Autumn color is at peak and yellows and oranges stretch from forest floor to sky along North Shore Drive
Lavender scallops
Fungus many layers deep
Gift on walking trail.
This inspiring surprise of nature was found on a path along the Black Earth Creek, a trout stream near Madison, Wisconsin. ( A magnificent stream!) Taken just before sunset on October 21, 2007. I’ve misplaced my fungus ID book, so if anyone knows the name of this lovely guy, please share.
Addendum: Mark tells me these are turkey tail fungi. Very well-named.
