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Neil Smith - The dangerous prairie
A few weeks ago, I visited the Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge. I elected to try the two trails that I had not previously visited. One was an Oak Savannah (oaks are strong enough to survive prairie fires, so you wind up with random oak forestlets scattered around the prairie). The other one was supposed to be more prairie-ish, but it also was foresty. That's OK, the prairie grass isn't very impressive yet (that happens in late June, when I'll be going back).
For now, though, you get a set to look at. The highlights (highlighting the numerous dangers of the prairie) are below. Tomorrow is all about landscapes and a moth.
The Rural Prairie - So dangerous that even the thorns have thorns.
Hunting Flowers - The predatory blue flowers lurk in the tall grass and await passing chipmunks upon which they shall leap and then devour.
Sticky Flower - The yellow flowers exude a sticky nectar substance so that when curious passers-by touch it, they become stuck fast and are slowly consumed by the plant. That's how we lost Willie.
Radioactive Plants - The glowing plants have absorbed uranium and radium from the soil and concentrate it in their leaves. It doesn't prevent animals from grazing on them, but it does prevent a recurrent behavior.
Hunting Flowers - The white and purple stripy flowers hunt in pairs. Once will distract the photographer with depth of field problems while the other one leaps for the jugular. This is why all of my shirts have collars.
Dandelion - This dandelion is sating itself on a passing bumblebee, so it is safe to approach to get a closeup shot.
Primed Bumblebee - Some plants grow thorns to protect themselves, other grow bees. Do not pick berries from this plant.
Bonus
Look, it's a pretentious black and white artsy photo!
For now, though, you get a set to look at. The highlights (highlighting the numerous dangers of the prairie) are below. Tomorrow is all about landscapes and a moth.
The Rural Prairie - So dangerous that even the thorns have thorns.
Hunting Flowers - The predatory blue flowers lurk in the tall grass and await passing chipmunks upon which they shall leap and then devour.
Sticky Flower - The yellow flowers exude a sticky nectar substance so that when curious passers-by touch it, they become stuck fast and are slowly consumed by the plant. That's how we lost Willie.
Radioactive Plants - The glowing plants have absorbed uranium and radium from the soil and concentrate it in their leaves. It doesn't prevent animals from grazing on them, but it does prevent a recurrent behavior.
Hunting Flowers - The white and purple stripy flowers hunt in pairs. Once will distract the photographer with depth of field problems while the other one leaps for the jugular. This is why all of my shirts have collars.
Dandelion - This dandelion is sating itself on a passing bumblebee, so it is safe to approach to get a closeup shot.
Primed Bumblebee - Some plants grow thorns to protect themselves, other grow bees. Do not pick berries from this plant.
Bonus
Look, it's a pretentious black and white artsy photo!
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