written by Grant Fessler, originally posted on his website, gcology.net Perhaps nothing embodies Midwestern summer better than a July thunderstorm. There is something magical and humbling about watching enormous, rain-heavy clouds unleash their tumult and violence over the low, rolling hills and river valleys. To hear the distant booms and crashes of thunder gradually approach […] Continue reading "Summer Storms and Silphium at Sunset"
written by Grant Fessler, originally published on his website, gcology.net On the overcast morning of Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, I made my way to one of the Quad Cities most prized natural areas, Black Hawk Historic site. As I descended from Black Hawk Road to the parking lot on the Rock River floodplain, I saw […] Continue reading "Earth Day Wildflowers at Black Hawk Historic Site"
written by Grant Fessler, originally published on his website, gcology.net With a sudden burst of unseasonably warm weather this past week, the spring ephemerals have leapt into blooming here in the Quad Cities region. Our remnant woodlands are now teaming with whites, purples, blues, and yellows, and the early spring pollinators are hard at work. […] Continue reading "Hunting Down the Prairie Trout Lily"
written by Becki Wells Have you ever seen a Facebook post from someone who just saw the first robin of the season?How about the first hummingbird, dragonfly, or monarch butterfly? Don’t these discussionsmake you feel great? But why? Is it because it’s a sign that spring is on the way, or thatsummer is nearing, and […] Continue reading "The Legacy of Aldo Leopold"
All the leaves have fallen down, fallen down, fallen down; all the leaves have fallen down, Winter is coming. Did you know that according to the Free Dictionary by Farlex, there are 33 verbs, nouns and adjectives for the word FALL or FALLING? That does not include the phrasal verbs or idioms. So you ask, […] Continue reading "Falling"
If you are looking for the perfect way to be a hero without ordering or making a ridiculous costume with a big S on the front of it, here is the perfect way to do it. Leave your leaves. Yes, you read that right. Leave your leaves. In addition to making your neighbors think you’ve […] Continue reading "The Perfect Way to be a Hero"
October-November 2022 Meanwhile back in Summer… By: Becki Wells, PresidentWhile as I write this it’s hard to believe that Autumn is just around the corner. It’s 93 degrees and sunny. I’m sure that Autumn weather is right behind this warm front…at least that is what the weather predictors are telling us. Our Chapter gained 13 […] Continue reading "October Newsletter"
written by Becki Wells Native plants are essential for all seasons, but especially in the Autumn. As the bright blooms of Summer begin to fade and the Fall plant colors come alive, there is a noticeable difference in the activity of the native wildlife. The cicadas begin to fade their night call; the fireflies flicker is […] Continue reading "Why Are Native Plants Essential in Autumn?"