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.

Not Your Typical Barn

Red Roof and Green Grass

Red Roof and Green Grass © 2013 Bo Mackison

Juxtaposition of colors and textures tempted me. Not a typical barn, but I love its individuality. Hmm. Can a building have individuality?

I think so.

Paddling 4 …

Paddling 4 ...

Paddling 4 … © 2008 Bo Mackison

. . . the promotion of prostate cancer awareness and early treatments.

I met Skip early Saturday morning as he was preparing to shove off from the tip of Door County, Wisconsin, heading into the choppy waters of Lake Michigan. I was busy taking photographs of the lake when I noticed his kayak, loaded to the gills with equipment. I went over to see what was going on and he spoke with me about “his mission.”

He explained that a week ago, on Saturday June 14, he had pointed his kayak into Lake Michigan from the Chicago Harbor, and began a planned 54 day, 1,700 mile trip from the Midwest to the Hudson River in New York City.

Ciccarelli, a 60 year old high school teacher from Massachusetts, is a prostate cancer survivor. If all goes as planned, he will arrive in NYC on August 9 – 7 years to the day from when he had surgery for prostate cancer. He is doing the trip to raise prostate cancer awareness.

“I realized, like most men, I was clueless about prostate cancer and soon became flummoxed at how little men know about their own bodies,” Ciccarelli said. “I realized I could help raise awareness. By drawing attention to this disease, I’m hoping more men will get prostate check-ups, PSA screenings and that more research will focus on this type of cancer.”

More information on Cicarelli’s journey can be found at www.paddle4prostate.org. Any funds he raises over and above his expenses will be donated to two cancer organizations: Us TOO International and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.