Dancing on the Prairie

Purple Coneflowers

Purple Coneflowers © 2008 Bo Mackison

Pale Purple Coneflowers.

Bridal Flower

Bridal Flower © 2008 Bo Mackison

Like a blushing bride waiting

Dancing in the Prairie

Dancing in the Prairie © 2008 Bo Mackison

or dancer of the hula in the gentlest of breezes.

Weinermobile Visits the Capitol

Weinermobile Visiting Concerts on the Square

Weinermobile Visits Concerts on the Square © 2008 Bo Mackison

On July 3rd the Weinermobile was on display across the street from the State Capitol Building in Madison, Wisconsin. Ah, a photo op and why not? The car is a Wisconsin icon, and an American icon, too.

Oscar at Concerts on the Square

Yummy! © 2008 Bo Mackison

This particular Weinermobile bears the license moniker YUMMY. Very smart, these hot dog people – putting the plate inside the car. There have been reports of missing plates on some of the vehicles. Other licenses the cars have include BIG BUN, OH I WISH, WEENR, WEINER, and OUR DOG, all Wisconsin plates.

Inside the Weinermobile

Inside the Weinermobile © 2008 Bo Mackison

Really smart interior. Not only is everything catsup red and mustard yellow, but the ceiling is a lovely cloudscape. Very uplifting, especially during those winter months when the skies tend towards gray and cloudy.

Weinermobile Factoids

Weinermobile Factoids © 2008 Bo Mackison

In case you are interested, you can read more factoids from the real sign.

Showy Goat’s Beard

Showy Goat's Beard

Showy Goat’s Beard © 2008 Bo Mackison

This wildflower, also known as Meadow Salsify, blooms from May through August in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States. It is a flower that literally follows the sun, a true sun-worshiper. The blossoms only open on sunny mornings and as they do they turn to face the sun. They close by noon as protection against the harsher mid-day sun,but then open the next sunny day.

Goat's Beard Going to Seed

Goat’s Beard Going to Seed © 2008 Bo Mackison

The plant’s white, plumed seeds form a puffball that is especially fluffy, hence the name of the flower – goat’s beard. Native Americans used the sap of the plant – a thick, milky substance – as chewing gum. The tap root can be cooked like a parsnip or roasted to make a coffee-substitute. Even the leaves are edible – either raw in salads or cooked.

Devil’s Paintbrush

Orange Hawkweed

Orange Hawkweed © 2008 Bo Mackison

Orange Hawkweed is often referred to as Devil’s Paintbrush. It was named so by farmers, who see the weedy flower as being a troublesome beauty. It naturalized from Europe, probably in the 17th century mixed in with seed crops, and spreads quite aggressively and quickly, so it is considered ecologically invasive.

Ox Eye Daisies and Orange Hawkweed

Ox Eye Daisies and Orange Hawkweed © 2008 Bo Mackison

It’s orange color, making it stand out against the many yellow flowers found blooming at this time, adds to the open prairie’s color, but also chokes out native plants that cannot compete. The Hawkweed secretes a toxic substance that inhibits many flowers from growing very near.

Obviously the equally invasive ox-eye daisy doesn’t mind too much. How come so many of the flowers I see seem to be of the invasive sort? I have noticed over the years – I’ve been cataloguing wildflowers in Wisconsin since 1977 – that I am seeing the native flowers, but many in lesser numbers.

Orange Hawkweed Buds

Orange Hawkweed Buds © 2008 Bo Mackison

Here is the Orange Hawkweed in bud. It does make for a rather fancy weed. Its flowers are short lasting, each blossom lasting only one day.

These photos were taken along the shoreline of Green Bay in Peninsula State Park near Fish Creek, Wisconsin. The over-welcome visitors are being monitored by park rangers, and so far 3 flowers have made the removal list. (Garlic Mustard, Eurasian Honeysuckle and Phragmites)

Clouds over Barn

Clouds over Barn

Clouds over Barn © 2008 Bo Mackison

Perfect white clouds hover over green and white farm buildings in central Door County Wisconsin.