Water-willow

Water-willow, Justicia americana

A delicate water-borne beauty, favored haunt for dragonflies, the Water-willow forms dense mats along the banks of rivers, streams and lakes. The purple and white blooms seem orchid or mint-like at first glance, but it is a member of the Acanthus family of flowers, like Bear's Breeches.



And the habitat isn't so bad either. I spent the afternoon studying this vegetation from the shore of the Clearfork Reservoir. Good thing I brought along my binoculars for dragonflies and birds, and the camera to document them. Its a dirty job, but somebody has to do it...

Requiem for Pink Katydid

It was grievous to learn of Pinky's untimely death, however, that is what nature is all about: life, death and nutrients recycled. Being an insect is a tough way to make a living at the bottom of the food chain.

Somewhere out there is another pink katydid, and while it is nowhere near as famous as "Pinky," it is just as interesting and worthy of scientific attention. She was an ambassador for the insect world and it was a thrill to share her with so many.

Sunday July 26th, Cedar Bog:

Pinky and her entourage during better times.

A-Z Flora at Cedar Bog

Zigadenus elegans, Wand-lily at Cedar Bog

The Midwest Native Plant Conference's field trips provided opportunities to botanize in some of Ohio's best fens and other natural areas. We viewed the gamut of flora at Cedar Bog-from the most common, Allium cernuum, the nodding onion (in the last post) to the exceedingly rare Zigadenus elegans, or Wand-lily.

Found in only a few counties in Ohio, this lime-loving Wand-lily is also called White Camus. The Native Americans were well aware of its poisonous properties- and thus another common name is Death Camus. These common names vary from state to state.

As a wise old botanist told me this weekend: While scientific names change from time to time, common names change from location to location.

No matter what you call it, Zigadenus elegans is an "elegant" member of the Lily family and we were thrilled to see them in full bloom... just don't eat it.

Fabulous Fens

Nodding wild onion, Allium cernuum blooming at Prairie Rd. Fen

Thanks to the organizers of the Midwest Native Plant Conference for a fen-tastic weekend! Over 120 native plant enthusiasts gathered to learn more about the bountiful beauty we have in Ohio and wetland species were a highlight. We had a great time discussing the Soggy Bottom Boys, those wetland plants that can be used in your home landscape. It is amazing how adaptable some of these plants are to dry situations as well.

A grand finale of the weekend was our group's field trip to Cedar Bog. Now remember, Cedar Bog is not a bog, but rather a fen. Bogs "clog" (think of kettle -hole bogs- no water movement) while fens flow. Fens are know for cold underground seeps and alkaline conditions. Cedar Bog has some amazing marl flats- a rare habitat for rare plants and unusual creatures.

This federally listed Elfin Skimmer dragonfly is one of the rare creatures. Our group was lucky enough to have the fleet-footed Jim McCormac along to snag this prize specimen. Perhaps my 6th trip to the bog, this was the first time I was ever fortunate enough to see the extremely small and delicate male Elfin Skimmer. His blue coloration is a perfect match with my lucky blue Ohio Dragonfly Conference shirt from 2007!

It was wonderful to meet so many interesting people from across the midwest! Hope to see you again next year!

Viceroy- Prairie Road Fen

A quick post from Dayton- epicenter of the afore mentioned Midwest Native Plant Conference. I had the good fortune to pre-scout some closed-preserve State Nature Preserve properties, and the day was amazing!


Viceroy on Blazing Star

Just one photo from Prairie Road Fen to set the tone for the conference. Tonight's speakers were Judy Burris and Wayne Richards, authors of a great book entitled The Life Cycles of Butterflies. Check it out, you will be blown away with the macro photography!

Maybe we'll post more tomorrow- Pink Katydid is quite the celebrity here. Since her featured article in the Columbus Dispatch came out today, she is the most in-demand insect in Ohio!