A Day Out With Botany Nerds

Mostly I bird -- but I also enjoy hanging out with "botany nerds".  Their obsession with plants and inclination to ask questions and focus on details feels comfortable!!

Tuesday, I joined a group of ONAPA members for a trip to a Northwest Ohio.

(Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association)

Our first stop was at the Castalia Prairie in the Resthaven Wildlife Area west of Castalia, Ohio!

This 60 acre prairie is commonly regarded as one of the best prairie remnants in the state harboring a number of rare plant species.  It was burned over this spring for the first time in several years -- if you aren't familiar with prairie management, a burn is good.  It knocks back woody species and maintains the open health of the habitat.

It was immediately obvious that the wildflowers in bloom were nothing with which I am familiar (no prairies on my side of the state).

The Star-Flowered Solomon's Seal was new to me and a charming little plant!

This was our main quarry -- the Showy White Lady Slipper orchid!  They were obviously enjoying the after burn of the prairie!

I was delighted to also spot a Yellow-breasted Chat!!

(That's a bird.)

Look how small this orchid is!?! 

This is a hybrid that also occurs in small numbers as a result of a population in the near-by woods of a yellow lady's slipper.  It is identified by it's maroon upper petals.

Then we were off for the ferry to Kelley's Island.  There are a number of islands in the western Lake Erie basin and Kelley's is the largest at just around 4 square miles.  It has been inhabited since the early 1800's and was the site of several quarrying operations and some winemaking. 

Today, the main attraction is relaxing and visiting one of the best preserved glacial grooves in the world. 

My first visit to the island was 1963 with my birding mentor, Gretta.  We rented bikes for the day and rode around the island birding (first orchard oriole sighting of my life) and visiting the sights.

Since then, there have been many trips to share a pleasant day with friends or family.

Basically, the island is a huge hunk of limestone (thus all the quarrying).

Unbeknownst to many in Ohio, a group of botanists have been working since 1989 to establish a viable population of the Lakeside Daisy to protect it from extinction as it is threatened on the mainland by development and quarrying. 

This is an old quarry site littered with limestone gravel and stone.

At first, you wonder "what's all the fuss about?"

Then you look down and see this plant thriving in what appears to be a completely inhospitable habitat.

There are now thousands of plants spread over 4 sights on the island and they are spreading outside the protected locations -- a good sign! 

It was exciting to see a success story!

So often, attempts to preserve a habitat or a species are thwarted on every side, but these tough little flowers have responded to the attention of a devoted group of botanists and their efforts are inspiring -- both the plants and the botanists!!

There is an accessible daisy preserve on the mainland in Marblehead, Ohio!  Even after the daisies have finished blooming, there are other uncommon and interesting plants to be seen such as Stiff Goldenrod and Dense Blazing Star.

Today, I'm staying home -- a little tidying up, some grocery shopping, blocking a quilt, some weeding in the gardens -- but it's back to the woods tomorrow for more birding!!

I just love spring!!

Mary

A Day in the Prairie

Like most of you, I don't quilt all the time.  My other passion is exploring natural areas.

A couple years ago, I joined a group of like-minded folks here in Ohio who love our natural spaces and work hard to protect them by supporting the skeleton state staff of the Natural Areas and Preserves section of Ohio's Department of Natural Resources.

This past Saturday, a large group of us enjoyed a warm sunny visit to the founder's beautiful 20 acre prairie in central Ohio.  Twenty years ago, he purchased a fifty-plus acre farm and began to convert the abandoned fields into a showcase for native plants.

As one walks past the small barn, a vista opens up before your eyes of native grasses and blooming plants that is breath taking. 

Wide mown paths allow one to wander around and through the grasses that tower overhead.  The paths are lines with a variety of flowering prairie species which are visited by hummingbirds and dozen of species of bees and butterflies during the course of the growing season.

I took two walks around the entire prairie -- the first time with a guided group for a refresher on the names of the plants.  The tallest plants in this picture are prairie dock -- their rhubarb size leaves are hidden in the tall grasses but the golden flowers wave high above at 7 and 8 feet.

The owner of the prairie includes native plants from around Ohio such as this royal catchfly which is commonly red, but Adams county has a small population of a salmon variety.

This gray-headed coneflower is an easy species to grow and my own specimens of it attract lots of insects.  This dragonfly (a common whitetail) is likely looking for other insects rather than nectar. 

Two ponds have been incorporated into the landscape and the native hibiscus had just started to bloom along the edges.

After lunch, I returned to the prairie for a solitary walk to enjoy the sights and sounds without any narration from other admirers.

There were more butterflies about than earlier and this red-spotted purple gave me a run for my money but I did manage to get two or three "not-blurry" photos of him.

This meadow fritillary was one of the reasons the purple was constantly moving around -- it seemed like the purple was chasing the fritillary away, protecting a section of the mowed path.

As I walked I reviewed the names I learned in the morning in hopes that I'll remember them on a future prairie visit -- this is downy (or hairy) sunflower -- facing the sun of course!

The rattlesnake master (on the left) is another one I grow here in my garden, but the Virginia mountain mint (on the right) was new to me.  There was a viceroy butterfly fiercely patrolling this patch but he eluded my camera.

The mix of purple coneflower (front), native monarda (center) and gray-headed coneflower (back) near the end of my second trip around the prairie had attracted a beautiful and rare (to me) butterfly.

The giant swallowtail -- 50% larger than other swallowtail species -- perhaps the size of a hummingbird.  This one was freshly emerged with no signs of wear on his wings.

What a lovely way to spend a summer day!

 

If you are interested in learning more about ONAPA, you can visit their website HERE.

They sponsor many work projects to help preserve unique Ohio natural areas as well as enjoying trips to explore and learn more about the flora of Ohio.

If you join, perhaps we'll meet face to face one of these days!

 

Mary Huey