UW Arboretum Prairie
For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. ~~ Edwin Way Teale
Autumn’s light hangs low in the sky for only a few minutes as these days turn into night earlier and earlier. Most of the seed heads have had their seeds dispersed, but a few of the Prairie Thistle had most of their seed fluff still securely tucked in the plant. The plants all seem heavy with seeds this year. Will there be more flowers next spring?
another wabi-sabi bit of nature
“Simplicity is the core of wabi-sabi. Nothingness is the ultimate. But before and after nothingness, simplicity is not so simple.” Leonard Koren
Wabi-sabi asks that the essence is pared down, but not stripped of its poetry and emotional warmth. That which binds the meaningful into a whole remains intact. Wabi-sabi does not lessen the quality that compels one to look at something, and then look again and again.
Caught
Autumn is definitely upon us. Everywhere I look there is evidence of summer’s long past retreat and autumn’s complete domination. Two of the trees in my yard are totally bare. Brown, crunchy leaves are spread under their empty branches, and while I find it rather satisfying to stomp through the noisy litter, I’m not too thrilled at the prospect of the raking job that is on the agenda for this week-end – that is, if it doesn’t snow as is predicted.
My red maple is still fully dressed, and lovely. Deep reds at the very top meld into bright reds and then orange-reds towards the bottom of the tree. I’ve been waiting for the sun to shine to take a few photos, but without any luck. It’s raining now, and I haven’t the heart to even check the weather report for tomorrow.
Lots of photographers seem to be attracted to the simple leaf this week. I’ve seen a few outstanding examples. A pair of brown leaves here, and here is another favorite, with a great twist, and then one more product of autumn’s touch, and finally one with a foreign flavor.
How soon until we are all taking photos of that white fluffy stuff? Too soon, I’m thinking. Way too soon.
Browning Leaves
Out and about this Labor Day weekend, always seems like this is the last weekend of summer, though the calendar insists otherwise. But studying the prairie signs on this morning’s hike, everything looks very fall-ish. Seeds are turning dark and scattering, the asters are beginning to show purple, berries are ripening, and the leaves are turning a soft shade of brown.
"Biscuit" Amaranth
This ‘Biscuit’ Amaranth was just one of thousands of plants on display at the University of Wisconsin – West Madison Agricultural Research Station as they held their Annual Field Day. Trial fields of annuals, perennials, native grasses, vegetables and fruits were on display. Gardening tips and problem shooting were provided by the Master Gardeners of Dane County.
The gardens are open to the public every day from dawn to dusk. What a wonderful resource for area gardeners!
For when you need to get a grip, here is a “sure grip” – patented in Canada in November, 1900.
Found on an ancient garage/shed near the shores of Green Bay in Door County. (The bay Green Bay, not the city of Packers, Green Bay.)
Hmmm. No. No green here. Sure, I know it’s St. Paddy’s Day, but the truth is – I live in Wisconsin. You know, Wisconsin. W-I-S-C-O-N-S-I-N! You got it. Yeah, up north. If you live in most of the good ol’ US of A, you think I live somewhere near the Arctic Circle. Ha!
Now some of you folk may have green, and your land may be wearing it proudly too, but I don’t see green ’round these parts. We’ve got your basic white – that’s the snow – and your basic brown – that’s where some of the snow has melted and turned into mud – but sorry, no green.
Guess if you really want to see some green ’round here, you’ll need to check out the local pubs. You’ll find all the green you’ll want to be seein’ in there. All those crazy shamrock decorations and lil’ Leprechauns, those mugs of green beer, and if you hang around til evenin’, all those green faces, too. For me, it’s back to life in the burrow as usual.
You go on now. Have a happy St. Paddy’s. Have a root beer for me.
from your friendly Black Prairie Dog,
Simon
This arachnoid-friendly cave is a Mayan archeological site. Scientists have found artifacts from the Mayan Empire dating from 1000 A.D., evidence the cave was used for ceremonial and religious purposes. (You really don’t want to know exactly what kind of ceremonies, do you?)
