Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thursday Thirteen 292: Arboretum Walk

Sorry so late todaywe had severe storms in the area last night that kept me offline. This week, I thought I'd share a few photos taken at the UW-Madison Arboretum.

I've been up to the Grady Tract of the Arboretum a few times now this spring, by myself and on one guided walk. Free guided walks are offered every Sunday afternoon, alternating between Grady Tractthe small section south of the Beltline Highwayand the main Arboretum. They are great for learning the names of plants, or about the ecology and history of the Arboretum in general. You can visit the Arb every two weeks and see something new each time. Here are a few random pics from recent visits (June 2 and 7).



It's not unusual to see hawks soaring above the Arboretum (June 2).


Small White Lady's-Slipper orchid (endangered)


Leafy spurge


Black Locust Blossomsthere is one in Grady Tract, and several throughout my neighborhood. The blossoms hang down in pretty clusters, and smell devine. Alas, the flowers have all gone now.


Hairy Puccoon. These are taller than the Hoary Puccoon, which also grow in Grady Tract. The Hairy variety seems more common up on the Knoll, while the Hoary seem to prefer Greene Prairie.


Dame's Rocket. These are often mistaken for Phlox, but they are taller and have only four petals, while Phlox has five petals. Dame's Rocket is in the mustard family.


Close-up of Dame's Rocket.


A beautiful June sky over Grady Tract (June 7).



Ragwort. As you may have guessed, they are a member of the Sunflower family.


Wild Lupine is quite abundant throughout the Arboretum, and the color more vivid than in recent years.


Large-flowered Beard-tongue is also more vivid and abundant than in recent years. This is one of my favorite wild flowers, blooming early June to early July. These were not yet in bloom on June 2, but were only a few days later. 


Wild Geranium


Wild Strawberry. Blackberries and raspberries are also common throughout the Arboretum.



LINKING TO: Thursday Thirteen




17 comments:

Alice Audrey said...

I love it when you share your Arboretum gleanings because I learn the names of flowers and plants that way.

The Gal Herself said...

These are beautiful! And posting them was probably a nice, peaceful antidote after the storms of yesterday.

Heather said...

Alice: Aw, shucks... Happy to share and educate. *G*

Heather said...

Gal Herself: Thankfully, the storms weren't too bad, though we did lose power for more thank an hour. At least it wasn't all night! Plus, I finished reading a book. By flashlight. ☺

Paige Tyler said...

Great pics and beautiful flowers!

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com

Shelley Munro said...

Gorgeous! Your pictures helped me to ignore the grey winter day outside my window.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I'm so glad you're sharing all those wonderful flowers (and their names). I'm horrible at flower and bird identifications.

Mia Celeste said...

Beautiful place. Beautiful plants. Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

http://www.miaceleste.com/?p=376

Heather said...

Shelley: Glad I could help you chase away the winter blues. It actually looks and feels like summer here today. It's quite the improvement over last week's chilly temperatures!

Heather said...

Hi Teresa! Thank you. I love being able to put a name to some of the plants and flowers around here. The sunflower family can be especially tricky.

I was going through some pics from last August and came across a few that could be either Compass plant or Prairie dock flowers, but it's hard to tell by looking at the flower face. At least for me. I'm sure an expert could discern the difference, but I need to see the lower leaves, and these both tower overhead by late summer.

Heather said...

Thanks, Mia! The Arboretum is definitely a beautiful place to visit. I love wandering over that way every couple weeks. I really need to make more of an effort to visit the "main" body of the Arb, though. I know Grady Tract backwards and forwards, but rarely get over to the other side. :-\

Jennifer Leeland said...

Beautiful pictures! I love the one of the sky! i hope the storms have passed.

CountryDew said...

Beautiful shots! Thank you for sharing these!

Heather said...

Jennifer: Thank you. Today's sky looks much like the one in that picture--the sun is shining and the sky blue with high cumulus clouds. In short: absolutely gorgeous. Alas, we have more rain/storms moving in Friday night and all day Saturday.

Heather said...

Thanks, Anita! I'm glad you enjoyed them.

Hazel said...

I love the Lady's Slipper orchid. Here's hoping they flourish.

Hazel

Heather said...

Thanks, Hazel! I hope the lady's-slipper orchid will be around a good long time!