Jennings Prairie, July 2011. Remembering Esther Allen

The purple fringed orchis on the bridge was no where to be found but after lunch seven of us did the woods trail to see the cardinal flower and nearby , in among the skunk cabbage, we found about a dozen and what I am keying out to be “small flowered purple fringed orchis”. That made my day. We found helleborine that was past its prime and seedbox in bloom. There were also lots of butterflies today. Especially spicebush, doing their mating dance over the prairie. There were dozens and dozens of them, possibly 100. As you will see in the group photo, Dave, Jr. brought Esther and Dave’s ashes along with the sundial he will store them in at his house. So Esther was with us in body and in spirit! The fruit cluster, I am calling carrion flower. No one was sure. The mushrooms Judy and I are guessing are a Clitocybe of some sort. Maybe funnel cap. I didn’t get home until a little after 5PM and I bet Monica didn’t get home until after 6:00PM. A long but very enjoyable day. — Dianne

Blazing Stars and Butterflies

The day was warm, but more comfortable than the previous conditions. The Blazing Stars did not disappoint us, and as usual, it was great to ramble with friends,,,

Photos by Glen Beck and Monica Miller

A new spot means new adventures.

Diane and Bob Machesney suggested this area in Mercer County for our June 30, 2010 outing. Monica Miller sent photos from our time there.

Click here for a butterfly checklist for Sandy Lake, provided by Bartramian Audubon.

This year we covered a different section of the Butler-Freeport Trail. Scenic old structures, beautiful flowers and good friends warmed the dull overcast day. Thanks to Monica Miller for these great pics and neat observations.

Chuck Tague took these pictures at the July 2009 outing at the Jennings Environmental Center.

On May, 22 the Club took a ramble along the Butler-Freeport Trail. Here are some of the member photos.

You can check out the species list on Chuck Tague’s website:

http://web.me.com/kingrail/Natureobserver/Butler_Freeport_sightings.html

For Chuck’s beetle blog: http://web.me.com/kingrail/Natureobserver/Blog/Entries/2009/5/24_Varnished_Shelves_and_Pleasing_Beetles.html
For an overview of the outing: http://web.me.com/kingrail/Natureobserver/Blog/Entries/2009/5/23_Entry_1.html

Here are a few of the things we saw along the Butler-Freeport Trail in May 2008.