pollinators-welcome

Winter in a our back garden

2012-01-15T15:14:00.007-06:00

This first picture is of the Hobbit garden, the south facing side garden. An almost secret garden.

Can you see the wildlife friendliness?

At the back of the garden our little woodland edge. Can you see the wood mulch paths lined with logs? The "real" christmas tree will remain until spring when the branches will be removed and used for mulch on the path and the trunk added to line paths.

More mulched paths through the gardens.Brick like pavers line the edges of the beds.

Close to the house there is usually more sun so, more native perennial forbs and grasses.While not every plant is native that is the goal for any future planting.

Looking out the back window during recent snow.

A well tended water spot for birds and other creatures. Every morning and some days again in the afternoon frest water is added through winter. Sun often shines enough to heat the metal pan and keep it free of ice for a few hours.

One must step to the rear of the garden to see the area behind the garage. Compost, brush piles,vines and other undisturbed native plantings grow here. Many birds love this area.

A small pond sits here in summer. Now a planter with evergreens and redtwig dogwood stems.A common theme for winter planters in Chicago.

A mulched path on the right leads one through to the back of the garden and the area behind the garage.

Save Starved Rock

2012-01-03T13:06:00.023-06:00

What are they thinking in Lasalle County? To approve such a mining operation right next to Starved Rock State Park is not a good idea no matter how it is looked at. Please heed the Illinois Chapter Sierra Club's action and contact Lasalle county board before the January 12th open meeting.

Sierra Club Illinois Save Starved Rock
LaSalle County's natural areas and Starved Rock are unique assets that not only offer a chance to experience Illinois' natural heritage, but are also a strong economic engine for the County as well. The Mississippi Sand proposal jeopardizes both these unique natural resources and the attractiveness of this outdoor recreation attraction.
Starved Rock State Park and the rare salt marshes in and around the proposed mine site provide valuable habitat for a wide array of plant and animal life that will be directly and indirectly impacted by mining activity.

Furthermore, over two million people visit Starved Rock State Park each year providing LaSalle County businesses with customers and local governments with revenues. This positive economic activity is based entirely on the experience of the visitor as they step out of their car into the beautiful canyons and listen to the sound of the waterfalls cascade. An active mine brings loud machinery, dust pollution and ceaseless truck traffic.

A mine adjacent to the park won't just scare off wildlife, but will lower park visitation rates and diminish the economic benefits LaSalle County receives thanks to its beautiful natural areas.

Jobs and economic development are needed in LaSalle County but the location of this proposed mine threatens Starved Rock State Park, one of the County's primary economic engines, and contradicts the county's priorities for preserving natural areas and productive farmland.

Controversy grows over proposed sand mine near Starved Rock-Springfield-The State Journal-Register
“Many of use feel it will have a negative effect on Starved Rock,” said John McKee of the Starved Rock Audubon Society. “The mine will be right next to Illinois, Ottawa and Kaskaskia canyons.
“And there will be blasting and dust, and light pollution to disrupt night migrating birds,” he said. “This particular mine is the wrong place

Mike Nowak Starved Rock Sand Mine conversation

Jack Darin, Illinois Sierra Club Director, talks to Mike about a proposed open pit sand mine adjacent to Starved Rock State Park that would seriously affect the environmentla aesthetics of the the park. They are joined by LaSalle county residents Mike Phillips and Debbie Burns, who testified in a recent LaSalle County Zoning meeting against the project. Should you wish to voice your objection to the mine, you can log onto this Illinois Sierra Club web page.

Sunday January 8th listen to this weeks show as Mike Nowak again takes up the issue of a sand mine permit at the east entrance to Starved Rock State Park. If you miss the show check back for the archived audio version.
With the full board's vote scheduled for Thursday, January 12, LaSalle county residents have started to organize opposition to the proposed Mississippi Sand LLC operation. A number of those people are joining me on the show today: John McKee, President of the the Starved Rock Audubon Society; Daphne Mitchell of the Illinois River Coordinating Council; Joseph Standing Bear from Midwest Soarring Foundation; Merlin Calhoun, whose LaSalle county property is in the firing line of the proposed sand mine; Tracy Fox, activist and technical writer, who reportedly spoke eloquently but futilely at the zoning board meeting; Katie Dumke Troccoli, who is helping to organize a rally against the decision tomorrow in Ottawa; and perhaps more.

Listen to Mike Nowak and guests discussing the issue.

1-8-12 Mike Nowak Show podcast Save Starved Rock
Rally held in Ottawa Sunday 1-8-12...news video.

1-8-12 Rally Ottawa Illinois Save Starved Rock

Rally youtube video

Mr. Jerry Hicks, ChairmanLaSalle County Board
707 East Etna RoadOttawa, IL 61350

Starved Rock State Park area legislators:

Representative Frank J. Mautino
221 East Saint Paul StreetSpring Valley, Illinois 61362
Telephone: 815-664-2717Fax: 815-663-1629

Representative Pam Roth
3605 North State Route 47, Suite FP.O. Box 808Morris, Illinois 60450
Telephone: 815-416-1475Fax: 815-416-1476

Senator Sue Rezin
103 Fifth StreetP.O. Box 260Peru, Illinois 61354
Telephone: 815-220-8720Fax: 815-220-8721

Statewide:Governor Pat Quinn,
207 State Capitol Springfield,Illinois 62707
Telephone: 217-782-0244 Fax: 217-524-4049

Chicago Tribune finally notices what is going on at Starved Rock State Park.
Chicago Tribune starved-rock-sand-mine-

Local citizens, farmers and environmentalists fight for the land.

Read the letter from Lt Gov Sheila Simon to Lasalle county board chairman and members, requesting a postponement of Jan 12th 2012 meeting of the board. Scroll down at link for the entire letter.Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon on Starved Rock The Mike Nowak Show

Quote:
BREAKING NEWS: Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is requesting that the LaSalle County Board postpone its decision on whether to allow an open pit sand mine next to Starved Rock State Park. She states, "...the public, including the staff members in my office, should be afforded an opportunity to thoroughly review the public record." This, in the wake of news that only THREE people will be allowed to testify at tomorrow's board meeting. The full letter is posted on my website.
Chicago Tribune Sand mine near Starved Rock State Park gets OK by Lasalle county board today 1-12-12

Chicago, Forest Preserve District Cook County, Bike Trails.

2011-10-17T17:03:00.008-05:00

The Mr and I have been taking to the forest preserve bike trails on recent weekends. A great way to get a bit of exercise and be outdoors for a few hours. So far we have reused the same couple of trails that are very near home so that the time can be spent on the trail. But we would like to check out several of the other trails especially some of the longer ones. When I feel ready it would be nice to spend the whole day out biking. Now it takes two or three hours,which is about what we were looking for in a regular ride.

These first pictures are from Tinley Creek trail (north) 18.80 miles
A loop so that you end up where you started.Some inclines but not too bad. Most of the few road crossings had traffic lights and were well marked.

Small lakes, meadows, creeks, bridges and a tunnel plus long wooded sections gives this a secluded from your urban surroundings feel that makes the ride very enjoyable.

We saw many birds,butterflies and other insects and a few animals like chipmunks and once a coyote. If alone I would probably stop way too often to enjoy the scenery but the Mr. mostly keeps us moving.

Can not resist a few pictures of the native grass and forbs.

A bridge took us over this small creek.

Lately even with the unusually warm weather autumn is showing signs of arrival. These last few pictures are from Salt Creek Trail 7.1 miles between Bemis Woods and Brookfield Zoo, then continues north to Busse Woods a total 25 miles, more if you head into the Busse Woods Trail.

This trail is not a loop so we only go to the Zoo and back which is 14 miles. The best part of the trail because it is a wooded forest preserve area but crosses several heavy traffic roads. Some of the trail passes along the very edge of the forest preserve and one side is a few private backyards. It would be nice to have a garden end at a wooded trail but might seem intrusive on active summer weekends.

Oak leaves changing color.

Looking up to black walnuts still clinging. Under this tree there were many on the trail but no where else was there anything but leaves.

Sections of Salt Creek flowed along side the trail.

Trail link

TrailLink.com is a FREE service of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a non-profit dedicated to assisting local communities in converting unused railroad corridors into trails. Discover more than 30,000 miles of bike trails, walking trails, equestrian trails, and hiking and running trails including interactive trail maps, trail descriptions, photos, reviews and more.

Trails For Illinois

An information site for Illinois trail advocates.

Lincoln Park Zoo's Nature Boardwalk

2011-09-18T19:36:00.014-05:00

In 2010 Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo opened the new Nature Boardwalk. What was the South Pond, where visitors could rent paddle boats to venture out onto the water, is now a pond and planting designed to attract the creatures that inhabit our urban ecosystem.

No cages or walls needed to keep the creatures around or protect them. They come and go or stay as wont. Feeding,breeding and passing through during migration ,the zoo boardwalk is a growing haven for urban wildlife.

Each year the plants and creatures will increase in abundance to the delight of all who stroll the walk during a zoo visit.

Native plants like the above hoary vervain and the switchgrass below provide nectar,pollen, seeds and draw insects for food.

The pond provides water and shelter for wetland plants and animals.

all within view of city skyscapes.

The walk is pleasant on a sunny afternoon as adults and children enjoy searching out creatures along the way.

The flowers are very pretty.

As is the foliage and the seeds begining to form

Partridge pea.

Purple ironweed and yellow helenium.

For a look at the Lincoln Park Zoo's Nature Boardwalk Blog check out the zoo's website.

Nature Boardwalk Blog

To see a video with old south pond pictures as well as the changes, view here.
Nature Boardwalk video

Harvesting seed.

2011-08-25T20:56:00.005-05:00

You are looking at the first seed collected this year from the Canada hawkweed (Heiracuim canadense). The dark part is the seed, the fluff is to carry the seed on the wind if it isn't harvested soon enough. I will be checking daily for the next few weeks as the flowers bloom then go to seed individually.

On the canada hawkweed a seedhead is ready to collect. You can see it has turned fluffy and sort of light tan. The flowers are yellow they close , the seed forms and the seedhead opens and dries then flies with the wind. Except I'll be there to pinch off and save. Comes loose very easily.

Collected a few white baptisia seed pods. Took 4 years for these to flower and produce seed.

A closer look at the seeds inside the pod.

Leiberg's panic grass/Dichanthelium leibergii . Will soon be able to harvest a few seeds from the panic grass if I can keep the birds away. Nice to have found a plant that produces seed the first year, even if it is just a little.

Elementary School Rain Garden

2011-08-18T17:33:00.006-05:00

This is a rain garden at a local school. I came across it while riding through the area on a bicycle. It was after regular school hours and only a few staff members were around that didn't seem to know much about the garden. It seems a storm water runoff area has been dug out similar to those in some neighborhood parks but instead of mowing it is being allowed to grow out. There are several wetland loving plants that look like may have been seeded in but otherwise is being left alone. Out of curiosity I will make some calls to see what maintenance is planned. A fall or spring mowing maybe?

You can see plenty of swamp milkweed. A few monarches flew out where ever I came close and a dragonfly pair kept passing by chasing one another about.

Cattails flourished and may have self seeded as they are common in low wet spots.

A ribbon of rocks simulating a streams flow makes its way through the garden.

Helenium /sneezeweed is abundant and just beginning to bloom. I would not have thought of helenium as a good rain water plant but it seems to thrive.

Many honey bees were active on the blooms. I will have to go back a few times and see what other bees are utilizing the garden.

A skipper was another butterfly making use of all the blossoms.

Big black wasps and these more colorful brothers were attracted to the feast as were many flies.

It was a pollinator haven...

In the forefront of this picture are a few not yet blooming forbs that are probably a goldenrod
with a late summer/fall bloom.

A closer look at the helenium. Did you notice the lack of grasses? I wonder if that is deliberate.

The white flowering plant will need another look. Care to make a guess?

Way to many young tree seedlings growing. Are there plans to remove them? A spring burn seems unlikely so just a mow down? Hopefully this is on the agenda.

What ever the plans for this remarkable garden, kudos are due to the administrators bold move to make a try at this storm water management that is such a great habitat.

Rattlesnake Master Pollinator Information

2011-07-23T17:01:00.012-05:00

Rattlesnake master /eryngium yuccifolium is frequented by various pollinators. Wasps and flies seem particularly fond of the flowers on very hot humid days.

Though I have seen very few bees and no bumbles on the rattlesnake master in our own garden, others have recorded bumble bees at the rattlesnake master so it may be a need for specific habitat condition for bumbles to utilize eryngium yuccifolium.

Many sites, even reputable gov. an edu. sites, state that rattlesnake master is self pollinating.
While rattlesnake master is self fertile it is also xenogamous displaying temporal dioecism.

Temporal dioecism is, in essence, a flowering sequence which is synchronized so that there is little to no overlap between staminate and pistillate phases of an individual plant.

With the pollen produced by the stamen at times when the stigma is unreceptive on individual plants self pollination is rare without hand pollination or enclosure of the blossom.
Insect pollination therefore must occur to assure seed production and genetic variability with some rare self pollination as a backup.

Educational sites in particular should be more explicit.

This reminded me that I should acquire plants or seeds from more than one source since our garden is rather isolated from other native plant gardens and many insects do not travel far to find other nectar and pollen sources of the same species.

Bees are unique in the propensity of individual bees to keep going from blossom to blossom of the same species seeming to dislike changing to another species until the one they are working runs out. This is what makes them ideal for agricultural pollination.

Click on pictures to enlarge for a better look at the pollinators.

slegesky research

Litzsinger

Wildlife Garden In Bloom

2011-07-15T11:20:00.010-05:00

Oakleaf Hydrangea against redtwig dogwood.
Purple Coneflower/Echinacea purpurea.

Echinacea purpurea amid little bluestem and switchgrass.

The butterflies are active today.
Lots of native bees on the job as well.
Ratibida pinnata/yellow or gray coneflower.

Ratibida pinnata with Liatris and coreopsis.
Heliopsis.

Joe-pye weed standing tall.

Another Joe-Pye that self seeded into a good spot.
Liatris tall and purple, coreopsis low and yellow.
Liatris with a backdrop of Eupatorium,chocolate and boneset.

Planted and Protected

2011-07-06T16:30:00.010-05:00

Worried that rabbits would eat the seedlings before they could grow and establish we added a wire fence. This will be a pretty little area with a lower profile than so many of the taller species in our garden. The plants from Native Seed Gardeners are the only plants in our garden protected from herbivores.

The camera is facing north so this open area gets full sun which these prairie plants should do well with. Trying to decide what to use as a light mulch over the bare soil until seedlings grow to cover. This blog will now become a journal to record the story of gardening to harvest native prairie seed, along with the wildlife gardening.

To see this years seed crop list

Another Random Garden Video Day

2011-06-26T10:02:00.010-05:00

For rainy day viewing pleasure watch what other people are doing.

Deep Middle Blog Garden Tour Video

The Deep Middle Blog

Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project Video

NPS site

Greenleaf Lawn Alternatives video

Native Plant seeds Warren Wilson College video

Ecological Landscaping video

Lawn Alternatives Nebraska Extention video

Native Landscapes Nebraska Extention video

Water Garden Davinci Arts Middle School

Coastal Prairie Video

Feral Honey Bees - Urban Habitat?

2011-06-23T13:09:00.005-05:00

While plants for nectar and pollen are important for gardeners to provide, I have another theory as to why honey bees seem to be around less, at least in my neighborhood.

Wild populations are necessary for the health of any species. So where do those feral population live in an increasingly urban world? No one wants a huge bee colony nearby,even individual bees scare the bejeebees out of most.

In our neighborhood honeybees were very common most of my life. They tended to colonize old trees that had rotted out centers that could be entered high above the heads of the pedestrian population of humans, so go unnoticed. But many severe storms and a replacing sidewalks program and utility companies worried about future damage cutting the trees to the point of causing death or such an ugly site that owners finally removed the entire tree, has caused a real lack of honey bee habitat to occur in this community. So honey bees have just about disappeared unless you live near someone with hives raising honeybees.
My own daughter had just such colony in a tree in her front yard and lost it to a new sidewalk and the presumption of its aging danger.

So I'm guessing our feral honeybee population will remain minimal for many years to come. Chicago seems determined to replace its lost trees but it will take many years and a change in attitude toward aging trees and the seeming danger of storms to recover anywhere near the population of wild honey bees once enjoyed here.

At the native California plant garden , Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, near LA in California there is a wonderful site. The slowly disappearing felled tree known to house a honey bee colony for over 400 years which is still thriving within the remains. Where else could this be left to continue to provide a habitat for bees?

Life In The Leaf Litter ...and other organic debris.

2011-06-10T12:34:00.006-05:00

The publications page at the The Center For Biodiversity and Conservation
has made available several resources of interest.
One in particular Life in the Leaf Litter... Johnson, Elizabeth A.Catley, Kefyn M. seems of importance to wildlife gardening and biodiversity conservation in urban areas.
I have mentioned this before here at pollinators-welcome in the post Mulch-Natural Duff-Living Cover . Since then it has become increasingly apparent just how necessary this layer is to the function of ecosystems and wildlife habitat.

"Life In The Leaf Litter" is free and easy to download , consisting of 1.58 MB, just 17 pages of text and a few drawings. You can save it or just read and delete.
Within those few pages is an introduction to the function and form of leaf litter and the various occupants and their roles.

A wildlife garden produces an exceptional amount of biomass. While compost is part of the option for managing this decomposing organic matter there are other options. One is just leaving in place within the garden. This is very much the same in the meadows and garden beds as under trees and shrubs. While mowing, cutting back or burning such accumulation is needed periodically, to do so too often recks havoc with the wildlife by destroying nests,overwinter protection and many in larval stages unable to easily relocate.
Another option is composting until most matter is unrecognizable then without sifting using as a mulch.
None of this means you must leave the garden looking completely unkempt. But a relaxation of the expectations of neat and orderly in our urban gardens and local parks will go far to provide ecosystem function.

Function in the form of services, such as allowing water to filter more easily through into the soil and providing habitat for tiny invertebrates that feed on organic litter, breaking it down into smaller pieces which bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms then decompose into soluble chemicals and minerals such as nitrogen, calcium and sulfur. These nutrients are then recycled and used again by trees and other growing plants .
Service such as keeping the soil from overheating in urban heat islands and creating a spongy layer that resists compaction.

It is something to think about.

Native Seed Growers Seedling Pick-up Day

2011-06-05T18:50:00.009-05:00

Volunteers are such friendly helpful people.
I was able to schedule an appointment for pickup and preorder the plants from the available list online. Then a helpful volunteer had the plants ready and waiting when we arrived.
Native Seed Growers

Set-up in the shade of trees were tables of trays full of seedlings looking for a home, just in case you had not pre-ordered or were able to take a few of the extras. Someone was there to help walk you through the plants and assist with removing plugs from the plant trays.

The above photo is of the four sunny prairie plants that I chose. We were encouraged to take at least three of each.

Set right to potting up to hold the seedlings for a bit while the planting area is finished.

Aster oblongifolius / Aromatic AsterLate blooming; one of the last asters to bloom. Once established this aster is drought tolerant. The flowerheads and crushed foliage are fragrant.

Compact form, with small stiff leaves. The entire plant is covered with flower heads when in bloom. Well suited for small spaces as the plant doesn't flop over when flowering.

Attracts:Butterflies

Harvest:

The seed matures during late October-November. When the seed head is tan and fluffy, the seeds can be carefully removed so as to not disturb adjacent mature seed heads which can easily lose its seed if it is slightly bumped.

Allow the seeds to air-dry completely to assure that all moisture in the seed is removed for storage.

Baptisia leucophaea / Cream False IndigoOne of the first plants to bloom in the prairie, the blooms are lush but brief. The cream-colored flower groups are borne laterally near the ground in the spring. This plant develops slowly and once established it should not be transplanted.
The foliage can be easily damaged in the wind therefore it needs support from companion plants, particularly little bluestem.

Suggested Companion Plants:
Little Bluestem, Rough Blazingstar, Spiderwort, Leadplant.

Protection:
Indigo is not normally bothered by mammalian herbivores because the foliage is poisonous. If livestock, such as horses, eat sufficient quantities of this plant, as well as other wild indigos, they can be seriously poisoned by it.

Attracts:
This plant is pollinated primarily by queen bumblebees.

How to collect the seeds:

Seed pods are elliptical, fuzzy and have a pointed beak

Psoralea tenuiflora / Scurfy PeaAn open, bushy plant with gray hairy stems. Very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted into their permanent locations.
The plant is a good soil stabilizer.

Suggested companion plants:
Downy Phlox, Little Bluestem Grass, Purple coneflower.

How to Collect the Seeds:
A one-seeded pods are 3/16” long and are covered with black spots.

wisconsin plants panic grass

Family Poaceae
Dichanthelium leibergii (Vasey) Freckmann
Leiberg's panic grass, prairie panic grass
Dichanthelium: Greek dich for "two" and anthelium for "flowering" - a fair translation is "twice-flowering"
leibergii: for John Bernhard Leiberg (1853-1913), its discoverer

Panicum leibergii / Leiberg’s Panic GrassA characteristic grass of dry prairies. Among the rosette grasses, Leiberg’s panicgrass is recognized by having leaf blades that are hairy on both surfaces.

Protection:
Foliage may be grazed by herbivores.

Suggested companion plants:
Prairie alumroot, Hoary Puccoon, Heath Aster, Wild Bergamot.

How to Collect the Seeds:
Leiberg’s panicgrass is characterized by two distinct blooming periods. The primary flowering heads are eventually held above the foliage and are produced from late May into early June. The secondary flowering heads are produced from the leaf axils from late June into September. The primary flowering heads usually have a lower seed set than the secondary ones, which have flowers that remain closed and are self-pollinated.

The small tan, round seeds are mature when they are easily pulled from the stem.

Allow the seeds to air-dry completely to assure that all moisture in the seed is removed for storage.

Plants grown from seed Spring 2011

2011-05-27T10:07:00.030-05:00

Weather and the recent sewer work have caused havoc in the garden but we are beginning to recover. Two areas have been completely replanted and the third ,hopefully will be done this weekend. The rain garden plants have all returned as well as the nearby,slow to emerge scurfy pea,which I was afraid had been lost.
All of the seedlings that were still in pots over the winter have grown big enough to be transplanted into gallon sized pots or put into the ground. I love starting native prairie plants from seed then watching them grow.

This first picture is switchgrass / Panicum virgatum. Very easy to grow from seed and a fast growing plant.

Here are a few prairie dropseed and rough blazing star just planted from pots last week. Both were from seed I started last year using winter sowing in milk jugs 2009-2010.

A rough blazing star and a pale purple coneflower/Echinacea pallida, somehow in the same pot.

More seedlings started last year.

This is one of four clumps of prairie dropseed started from seed about 4-5 years ago. The small clumps in picture above came from seed from these plants.

Northern bedstraw returned. This is the third year. Hoping for flowers and seed this year.

Canadian hawkweed will be huge this year. I will be collecting seeds for a long time as it flowers over several weeks.

And last but most important,finally signs of the scurfy pea. I am so grateful not to have lost this plant. Next weekend I will be picking up a few more to make sure there is plenty of pollen to transfer between plants when they finally start to flower. I did not start these last three plants from seed but was given them as very tiny seedlings to grow and collect seed from, to be seeded into restored prairie at Spring Creek.
Native Seed Gardeners

Scurfy Pea Illinois Wildflowers

Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and soil that contains gravelly material, a little sand, or clay-loam. New plants can be started from seeds, but growth and development are slow. Established plants don't produce foliage until rather late in the spring, but they develop quickly thereafter from the nutrients inside their taproots. Resistance to drought is excellent.

Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by small to medium-sized bees, including the Digger bee Svastra obliqua, the Plasterer bee Colletes willistoni, and the Dagger bee Calliopsis andreniformis. These bees are attracted to the nectar of the flowers. Some grasshoppers eat the foliage, including Melanoplus femurrubrum (Red-Legged Grasshopper), Melanoplus foedus (Striped Sand Grasshopper), and Melanoplus packardii (Packard's Grasshopper). The caterpillars of the flower moth Schinia jaguarina feed on the developing seedpods, while the leaf beetle Luperosoma parallelum feeds on the foliage. The foliage of Scurfy Pea is occasionally browsed by White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbits, even though it has been reported to be mildly toxic to livestock. It is possible that some upland gamebirds and granivorous songbirds eat the seeds, but records about this are lacking.

Scurfy Pea
Psoralidium tenuiflorum
Bean family (Fabaceae)

Papaipema Moths

2011-05-04T11:08:00.008-05:00

Everyone loves the beautiful( very evident by its daytime activity) butterfly. Few think about conservation efforts for the less evident night flying moths.
So let us look at a group of moths that are prairie plant host specific.

Each species of papaipema moth tends to be specific to a different host or group of host plants.
There are many, but to name a few there is ...
Papaipema beeriana / Blazing star borer
Papaipema eryngii / rattlesnakemaster,Eryngium yuccafolium borer
Papaipema cerussata / Ironweed borer
Papaipema nebris / Common stalk borer ,small grains grasses and corn
Considered a pest but with little economic significance.

In the literature available it says that for many of these moths habitat seems to be nearly as important as host plant. That is because these prairie plants that provide food for the larval stage are habitat specific. Undisturbed prairie is hard to come by these days. But the moths can be introduced to restored or reconstructed prairie and do quite well.

Will these moths frequent our prairie plants in the garden? A few liatris or rattlesnake master may not a habitat make. But if(as stated in some sources) as few as 100 plants can make a difference, then a few wildlife gardeners and maybe an enlightened park district in the neighborhood planting in prairie style, should do something. It seems to work with butterflies.

There is more to wildlife gardening than growing plants. One must learn to leave protected places for different stages of insect life. The more we know about the life cycle of each member of a habitat community the more useful our garden becomes to the wildlife we cherish. This actually turns out to be less work, as the one thing we can do most often is disturb less.

Read more...

MSU edu Papaipema beeriana pdf

Forest Service US Blazing star moth pdf

Forest Service US Eryngium root borer pdf

Illinois wildflowers ironweed

The caterpillars of various moths feed on Vernonia spp. (Ironweeds),
particularly the pith of their stems and their roots. These species include Carmenta bassiformis (Eupatorium Borer Moth),
Papaipema cerussata (Ironweed Borer Moth), Papaipema limpida (another Ironweed Borer Moth), Perigea xanthioides (Red Groundling),
Polygrammodes flavidalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), and Polygrammodes langdonalis (Pyralid Moth sp.).

Fritillary life cycle evolved around its host the Violet

2011-04-28T13:57:00.008-05:00

Chanced upon a post at Beautiful Wildlife Garden about the violet being the host of the Fritillary. Having heard this before, I knew enough to let violets grow in the gardens just in case a fritillary was about laying eggs. But all the talk recently concerning native plants and native insects going around the blogs and forums have had an effect. Just what is the life cycle of a Fritillary and what besides the fact that the violet is a host plant should I know in order to keep from sabatoging efforts in the wildlife garden?

Well first of all there are many Fritillary and many violets.
Caterpillars in the field and garden Allen, Brock, Glassberg

A fritillary female lays eggs in late summer but not on the host plant. Instead she lays the eggs into the duff individually and up to about a 1000 of them. The eggs hatch in fall then spend the winter as first instar not needing to eat (not growing) just hunkering down into a safe hiding spot amid the debris. Come the sunshine of longer days and warmer temperatures of spring and our little guy or girl starts looking for food. Once finding a violet it eats quickly then hides in the plant debris or under a leaf until it eats again. Growing quickly and traveling from violet to violet hopefully the caterpillar finds enough food and lives until the time to pupate in early spring. This is also done in the decaying organic materials creating a duff on the surface of the soil, well hidden from predators and most people.
After emerging the fritillary has no need of the violet as many nectar souces will do for the summer until egg laying time rolls around in a few weeks.

So question answered. Leave the violets grow in an undisturb state. Don't do so much clean up or raking in fall. If you do prescribed burns manage carefully or you will burn off the wintering instars.

Do a little reading yourself just google Fritillary life cycle or read from the links below.

Regal Fritillary northern edu

DNR MN

Regal fact sheet

wikipedia

Fritillary

Biodiversity, what is it and why is it important?

2011-04-27T13:52:00.004-05:00

All the plants ,animals,microorganisms,the genetic variations within each species and the ecosystems where each is found and functions is called biodiversity. A compound of the words biological + diversity, defined not just as a giant list but also a data base of community and function that acts together to create the world around us.

How much can be lost before function falters?
Do our gardens make a difference?
Honestly, I don't know but I'm growing some native plants, reading what I can and hanging out with people that are trying to make a difference.

Here is a bit of what is available online.

Genetic diversity helps organisms cope with current environmental variability.
Organisms exist in environments that vary in time and over space. Such variation is often described in terms of the natural or historic range of variability (NRV, HRV) in environmental conditions such as weather, disturbance events, resource availability, population sizes of competitors, etc. (White and Walker 1997

A diverse array of genotypes appears to be especially important in disease resistance (Schoen and Brown 1993; McArdle 1996). Genetically uniform populations (such as highly inbred crops) are famously vulnerable to diseases and pathogens, which can (and do) decimate populations in which all individuals are equally vulnerable. Such uniformity also predisposes a population to transmit disease from one individual to another: instead of having isolated diseased individuals, nearly every individual may be exposed to disease by direct contact or proximity. More diverse populations are more likely to include individuals resistant to specific diseases; moreover, infected individuals occur at lower density, and thus diseases or pathogens may move more slowly through the population.

NPS gov pubs restoration genetics 1

There are genetic differences among individuals within most (but not all) populations of plants and animals. There are also differences among populations across the range of each species. In this section we review some basic patterns of how genetic diversity of species is distributed, or partitioned

Each species distributes its genetic diversity (one measure of which is the total of all alleles at all loci) in a pattern reflecting both its biology and its history (Wright 1965; Nei 1975). For example, nearby populations of plants that are pollinated by bees may share many alleles because genes (packaged in pollen grains) can flow easily between sites. Such species may have fewer unique alleles in each population, so populations tend to be genetically similar. By contrast, there may be less gene flow among populations of species that are pollinated by ground-dwelling flightless beetles, or whose heavy fruits fall to the ground in the vicinity of the parent tree. Gene flow can also be obstructed by physical barriers (i.e., topography or habitat that a pollinator, disperser, or migrating individual cannot cross), as well as by disturbance (Levin 1981; Slatkin 1987).

NPS gov pubs 2

Yale Lecture Video By Stephen C Stearns

UPRM edu biology

Stanford edu biodiversity

Biodiversity, what it is and why it is important is explored in this
'Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy' definition.
I liked the concept of biological diversity being seen not just as a list of living organisims but
but also including ecosystem processes that maintain,support and repair damage .
A holistic view that tries to understand how each part works with other parts to create and continue ecosystem services to the whole.

Native insects native plants

2011-04-05T10:52:00.005-05:00

This morning I read a couple of entries to a blog that brought home, once again, the importance of growing native plants in our gardens. While each years weather patterns may vary greatly there is much more likelyhood of the survival of early emerging insects if a community of native plants are available to be affected by the same weather pattern and emerge early as well.

As for the predator insects, they play an important part in a biologically diverse habitat.

Biodiversity in our garden as well as in the greater ecosystem provides the backup system for life itself.

Please read and see if you agree.

Pollinators: My bees and climate change

Pollinators: Death among the flowers

Biodiversity forum host

2011-03-08T16:08:00.002-06:00

Sorry about the lack of garden posting this past season. A new season is on its way with much of interest to share.

In the mean time if you are interested in the biodiversity of our planet and why it is of some importance to understand and conserve I am hosting the biodiversity forum at Wildlife Garderners.

http://www.wildlifegardeners.org/forum/biodiversity/

Orland Grasslands Autumn Festival

2010-09-27T15:01:00.018-05:00

Participants attending the Autumn Festival were privileged to find Stephen Packard (man in brown hat) of Chicago Audubon and "The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook/Stephen Packard " leading a tour of the restoration in progress at Orland Grassland, a 960 acre preserve that is part of the forest preserve system in Chicagoland.

Holding a tiny piece of purple prairie clover Steve explained how the plant grows very little above ground the first and second year but is busy growing roots a foot or more deep into the soil and that prairie plants often grow root systems many feet deep into the soil. Each stop throughout the walk was filled with information about this restoration and the plants and animals being encountered there.

Trekking across the grassland eager to learn more.

Given a bucket with rope attached to hang around our necks freeing hands for seed collection,small paper sacks to keep seeds separate,

and an awesome tool that holds snipped seedheads/pods until released into container, many helped collect seed. Anyone wanting to learn about native plants and seed collection should find a nature reserve at which to volunteer. Hands on experience is the best teacher and help is always appreciated. There is always someone willing to show you the ropes.

Seed collecting along with other activities will continue several times a month.

Orland Grasslands
VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS INFORMATION
2nd & 4th Saturdays
2nd Wednesdays
Newsletter pdf

Illinois bundleflower seed pods collected in a bag

Some work, like removal of invasives and more is also being done within the wooded areas surrounding the grassland.

A road closed years ago when the property was acquired makes for good access.

A prairie legume discussed but which I can not remember even the name.

prairie blazingstar

Illinois bundleflower

Two pictures of a couple of hoary puccoon plants spotted but no seed to gather. It was explained that some seed is always left behind and if there are few seeds none are collected that season. Hopefully the Lithospermum canescens /hoary puccoon will continue to grow and spread until volunteers are free to gather seed.

There were tents with displays and free refreshments for guests. Many volunteers were available to answer questions and make everyone feel welcome. See you there next year.

More August pictures in our habitat garden.

2010-08-12T16:41:00.012-05:00

Black swallowtail butterfly on Phlox.

Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' late summer through fall bloom.

A tall plant that stands out in the panicum/switchgrass.

Look at those pollen lumps on the back legs of the bumble bee.

Hoverfly is a plentiful pollinator.

The turtlehead/chelone is doing very well with all the rain this year.

Goldfinch through the screen door. If I open the door they always take off.

Close encounters in a habitat garden 2010.

2010-08-10T22:58:00.011-05:00

Common blue damselfly

Native solitary bee on coreopsis

Red Admiral butterfly on purple coneflower

The Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) dragonfly eyeing insects for meal.

Green Darner dragonfly.

Eastern Tiger swallowtail butterfly.

Spider and a plant hopper on milkweed stem

Skipper, love that wing structure.

Monarch hiding in the spotted Joe-pye weed.

Hieracium Canadense/Canadian Hawkweed In Bloom

2010-08-03T22:14:00.003-05:00

The small yellow flowers are the hawkweed. Last year this plant stayed very small and did not bloom at all. It is listed as growing from 1 to 5 ft. At least one stem almost made its full height. Lots of flowers means lots of seeds but as it is opening only some flowers each day I will have to keep a close eye on seed development. I have no idea how quickly this may proceed.

The Hieracium Canadense/Canadian Hawkweed is growing well near but not in the rain garden along with prairie dropseed,purple coneflowers and a self seeded Joe-pye weed.

The Northern bedstraw/Galium boreale is growing but not flowering.

The Psoralea tenuiflora/Scurfy Pea is growing but so far no flowers.

The Michigan Lily/Lilium michiganese looked fine last summer but did not return this year.

Native seed gardening is not for the faint of heart.

I am growing these plants from seeds for Native Seed Gardeners

Including Pollinator Habitat in Agriculture, Money Talks

2010-07-26T12:50:00.006-05:00

This video has been up on youtube for a year and only has 145 views recorded. It deserves much more.
From
http://agpollinators.org/#
it is exciting to see farms and vineyards using this information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcxtFs3plFE

Firefly’s life cycle and habitat

2010-05-06T12:07:00.004-05:00

There have always been fireflies in our gardens. Some years there have been a few less, some years many more fireflies than usual. The reason for these swings in population not being clear, I decided to find out what sort of habitat would ensure abundant firefly reproduction.

Fireflies, or lighting bugs as some call them, are actually beetles. There are a couple of thousand species around the world with several living and breeding here in North America. The amount of light at night especially in urban areas, moisture in the soil, decaying organic matter, and available food sources determine which species you will be seeing.

Adult female fireflies lay their eggs in moist soil or moss (depending on species). A few weeks later the larvae emerge. They live in moist soil or beneath decaying organic litter from one to three years eating slugs, worms and soft bodied insect larvae. Firefly larvae sometimes work together on larger prey such as the slugs, first biting the creature releasing saliva that turns the prey’s soft inner tissue into liquid. Firefly larvae can actually track slime trails to find slugs and snails. In late spring larvae pupate underground assuming their adult form. When the weather warms or to circadian like cycles not yet understood, the adult emerges to mate. This is the part of the life cycle of fireflies many recognize. As dusk descends and evening light wanes flickering lights appear over lawns, open meadows and along waterways across eastern North America. The fireflies are signaling their desire to mate.

So what makes for a firefly habitat in the garden? Seems wet springs producing moist soils and lots of decaying organic matter where slugs and worms and other larvae live, along with dark corners of a garden where trees and shrubs shade open areas from street and home lights.

There appear to be several reasons why firefly populations tend to decline in any given area. Average temperature and rain fall amounts ,pesticide usage, artificial lighting along streets and the outside of homes, amount of organic litter and loss of habitat including the expanses of lawn where female firefly can not lay eggs, all influence firefly survival. There is also some evidence that firefly populations do not move away from where they started life so that local populations once lost completely do not recover on their own.

A backyard habitat can make a difference.

For more information check out the following sites.

Insects.tamu.edu Fieldguide

Life Cycle: Winter is spent in the larval stage in chambers formed in the soil.
They pupate in the spring and emerge in early summer.
After mating females lay spherical eggs singly or in groups in damp soil.
Larvae hatch from eggs in about 4 weeks and larvae develop through several stages (instars) before pupating.
The life cycle of most species takes two years.

Habitat and Food Source(s):
Mouthparts are for chewing. Immature stages of lightning beetles are predatory on other small insects, earthworms, slugs and snails. Adults of some species are also predatory. Larvae and adults are active at night (they are nocturnal), and immobilize their prey by injecting them with inject toxic digestive enzymes before sucking out the liquefied body contents.

hhmi.org fireflies

sciencebuzz.org blog, where have all the fireflies gone?

Picture of firefly
sciencebuzz.org image firefly larva

Sara Adler "Summer flings: firefly courtship, sex, and death". Natural History. FindArticles.com. 06 May, 2010.

excerpt...
Bounty hunters, too, may have been contributing to declining firefly populations. For about forty years the Sigma-Aldrich Corporation in St. Louis, seeking luciferin and luciferase, sponsored a firefly-collecting club. The company paid a network of collectors nationwide a penny a firefly (with quantity bonuses that total $600 for 200,000 fireflies). Millions were collected. Although a few firefly species might be abundant enough to support such harvesting, many less-abundant species (and species are collected indiscriminately) could readily be snuffed out. Fortunately, there is no longer any reason to collect fireflies from the wild. Synthetic luciferin has long been available, and the firefly luciferase gene has been cloned. Sigma-Aldrich ended the collecting club a few years ago.

Native Plants For Bees.

2010-03-30T11:40:00.013-05:00

The many gardens across the land together form a grid of corridor's linking all the open green spaces.
Birds, insects and small mammals travel these corridors the way we use the highway system.
If conditions are right many will take up residence for a time.

For me this is what our gardening efforts hope to maximize. While I love the shade of big trees and the bloom of flower, they comprise only a part of the living world outside our doors. I garden to include those other life forms.

Urban living need not be devoid of such life. We as gardeners may build a habitat and encourage those passing through to tary awhile, have a meal,bath,maybe even start another generation.
It just takes a slight adjustment of our preconceived ideas of a garden...

Insects are rarely bad for the garden.
Weed status changes dramatically.
Being in the garden is interesting and fun.
Pretty is nice but not what ultimately defines a garden.

What to grow in a wildlife garden?
Good question. Many plants have been bred to enhance color,bloom time, and ease of cultivation. Much that is beneficial to wildlife has been lost in the process. So often the best plants to use are species native to the surrounding eco-system.
Is it sunny, dry, shady, often wet? Is your soil sandy or dense? Soil compacted or often sprayed with winter salts?
If you are a beginning gardener this may seem daunting, but there are many places to look for suggestions of what will work in your area.

Here are a few links that may be helpful. These particular links are pollinator mindful but work for many insects which in turn will attract many other animals up the food chain. If you seek a specific wildlife habitat there is much information available on the web and at your local library. Librarians have been very helpful in locating books and other resources.

xerces.org pollinators of the great lakes region

native plants at msu.edu (pdf)

native plants at msu.edu

usda.gov/WI -technotes - biology (pdf)

nrcs.usda.gov/references/public/IL/BTechNote23. (pdf)

A map to find links relevant to your area.

xerces.org pollinator-resource-center

The pdf files have lists of trees and shrubs as well as perennials with bloom times included so that you include multi-season forage.

I found helpful the advice to include at least three blooming plant species for each season.
Example...
Wild strawberry,Zizea (Golden Alexander), and Canada anemone for spring.
Blazing star, veronicastrum and monarda for mid summer.
Asters,ironweed and Tall sunflower for late season bloom.

Lists taking soil moisture levels into consideration as well as season.
Example...
Dry mesic in Spring... Cream Wild Indigo, smooth penstemon and common spiderwort.
Wet mesic late season...Smooth blue aster, Stiff Goldenrod, Showy sunflower.

Also suggested is the use of at least five grass or sedge species. Remember these suggestions are for the great lakes area and are just examples. Check for your area for more relevant information.

Dry...Big Bluestem, side oats gamma, Little Bluestem, Indian grass and Prairie dropseed.

Wet... Big Bluestem, Eastern gamma grass, Fox sedge,Fringed sedge and Switchgrass(panicum virgatum)

Bumble bee queens will often show up very early during warm spells. Few flowers are blooming but several trees and shrubs flower early, some producing nectar as well as pollen.

Very Early...
Illinois Wildflowers Prairie Willow

excerpt...

Faunal Associations: Primarily short-tongued bees and various flies visit the flowers for nectar. Some of these insects collect or feed on the pollen of the staminate flowers. Among the bee visitors of the flowers are honeybees, Nomadine Cuckoo bees, Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees. Among the fly visitors of the flowers are flower flies (Syrphids), Flesh flies, Bottleflies, Muscid flies, Sawflies, and others. The foliage of willows is eaten by a great number of insect species; only a few species will be described here. The caterpillars of the following butterflies feed on the foliage of willows: Satyrium liparops strigosum (Striped Hairstreak), Satyrium acadicum (Acadian Hairstreak), Limenitis arthemis astyanax (Red-Spotted Purple), and Limenitis archippus (Viceroy). Other insects feeding on willow foliage include the caterpillars of the skipper Erynnis icelus (Dreamy Duskywing), as well as the caterpillars of the moths Sphinx luscitiosa (Clemen's Sphinx) and Melipotis jucunda (Noctuid Moth sp.). The stems of willows are eaten by deer, elk, livestock, and beavers. Beavers use the stems in the construction of their lodges .

Early to mid...
Illinois Wildflowers Amorpha fruitcosa/False indigobush

Illinois Wildflowers Crataegus spp
excerpt...
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees and flies; to a lesser extent, wasps, beetles, and butterflies also visit the flowers. Bee floral visitors include honeybees, bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees, while fly floral visitors include Syrphid flies, dance flies (Empis spp., Rhamphomyia spp.), blow flies (Calliphora spp., Lucilia spp., Phormia spp.), and Muscid flies. Other insects feed on the leaves, fruit, wood, or other parts of hawthorns (Crataegus spp.). The caterpillars of the butterfly Satyrium liparops strigosum (Striped Hairstreak) occasionally feeds on these shrubs, as do the caterpillars of many moth species (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include leafhoppers (see Leafhopper Table), the Quince Treehopper (Glossonotus crataegi), aphids, plant bugs, the Hawthorn Lace Bug (Corythucha cydoniae), larvae of long-horned beetles, the flea beetle Crepidodera violacea, weevils, and larvae of gall flies (see Insect Table for a listing of these various species). While it is not a preferred source of food, several species of upland gamebirds and songbirds eat the fruit (see Bird Table), as do the Black Bear, Coyote, Gray Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Fox Squirrel, and Gray Squirrel. Cottontail Rabbits and White-Tailed Deer also browse on the leaves and twigs. Because of their dense branching patterns and thorns, hawthorns provide good nesting habitat for the Yellow-Breasted Chat, Brown Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, and other birds that like to construct nests in shrubs. The Loggerhead Shrike also uses the thorns to impale its prey. These shrubby trees also provide good protective cover for roosting birds and secretive mammals, particularly when they form colonies. Overall, the ecological value of hawthorns to wildlife is high.

Illinois Wildflowers New Jersey Tea

There is a new Wildlife/Garden blog posting reliable information that says it all so well. Check it out.

Why we should garden with biodiversity Ecological Gardening

Ecological gardening

A Random Wildlife Gardeners Video Day

2010-02-16T11:57:00.007-06:00

Check out these video attempts to lure you into wildlife gardening. (link to Wildlife Gardeners Forum)

Going Native: Urban Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants.
A university decides to plant native.

youtube Going Native: Urban Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants

Native Plants for balance. I like this persons style.
youtube Native Plants for balance

Native Plant Restoration: Grasslands
Learn how and why with the volunteers.
youtube Native Plant Restoration: Grasslands

These Prairie Chickens in the Fort Pierre Grasslands are so great to watch strutting around.
youtube Prairie Chickens in the Fort Pierre Grasslands

A local Chicago gardener gone blogger shows the bees that inhabit his garden.
Urban Bees At Chicago Now Mr Brown Thumb

This is odd but very good. Take away what you will.
The music is by Olga Nunes; the lyrics are by Neil Gaiman
Popcorn anyone???

Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines

2010-02-11T14:06:00.005-06:00

Trees, Shrubs and Vines for Urban and Rural America
A planting Design Manual for Evironmental Designers

Gary L Hightshoe
Professor of Landscape Architechture
Iowa State University

If you have been trying to decide which native woody plants to include in your landscape (and you live east of the rockies) then this is a very good book for you.
amazon

As individuals trying to choose for our own garden this book may be a bit pricey. Therefore I suggest first getting a good look in your local library or arboretum. It will take some time, at over 800 pages of information, but you can always go back another time .

There is plenty of information on each plants visual characteristics but it is the ecological information that is the most helpful.
Maps showing native distribution and the urban tolerance charts plus wildlife value information,
help decide between species.
The complied data on many similar shrubs such as cornus...
Gray dogwood/c. racemosa versus silky dogwood/c. amomum
or even redosier/c. stolonifera (redtwig)
is presented in a manner that aids decision and does not overwhelm.

Clethra/summersweet is often touted for wet to moderates soils but the maps show that is not locally native to Chicago where I live
but it is resistant to salt and soil compaction.

A choice for dry to droughty soil moisture might be Sweetfern/ comptonia peregrina.
Maps show an area along the bottom of Lake Michigan that includes Chicago
but not the rest of Illinois.
This plant does show a resistance to salt but is sensitive to compacted soils.

Each woody plant be it tree shrub or vine is evaluated for wildlife using high moderate or low rating and including a few creatures and if for food, shelter or nesting.
Evidence of value to insects being taken into account was lacking but that is not unusual in that this book was copywritten in 1988.

Within this book you will find a philosophy requiring of designers an understanding of the unique environmental conditions of each site and a focus on the mutual dependencies and interrelationships characteristic of its indigenous plants and wildlife community.

Hawks in town.

2010-02-03T10:06:00.005-06:00

No, I'm not a hockey fan. Recently a couple of Chicago area blogs have shown pictures of the hawks they have spotted. Although this picture was taken in late summer in our Chicago garden, our visitor seems appropriate to add here today. These are the clearest shots taken from several visits. Apparently the wildlife garden is a place of interest. Both baby rabbits and morning doves have been on the menu.

After looking at a lot of bird guides and trying to figure out just what sort of hawk ,we came to the conclusion it could be a Cooper's hawk but more likely a sharp-shinned hawk.

A squirrel may have had its life saved by our picture taking that day. It sat immobilized by the nearness of the predator until the bird flew off in protest of our meddling presence. The squirrel then moved so fast it seemed to disappear into the foliage.

Later we noticed either the same hawk, or one very similar, perched higher up on the garage for a really good look. See the foot wag? Maybe a shush ,go away, your scaring off dinner?

Other Chicago area blogs with hawk stories...

Neighborhood Nature

Lake Chicago Shores

Growing native plants from seed

2010-01-20T10:58:00.011-06:00

http://www.nativeseedgardeners.org/_Welcome.html

Last year in early June I took on a project to grow a few native plant seedlings for a prairie restoration effort with Spring Creek Forest Preserves and sponsers
http://friendsofspringcreek.org/
http://citizensforconservation.org/
http://www.chicago-botanic.org/
http://www.fpdccvolunteers.org/
http://www.springcreekstewards.org/
http://www.audubon.org/local/chicago/

Seed were collected by volunteers then a portion of that seed was given to the Chicago Botanic Garden for propagation in their greenhouses over the winter 2008/2009.When the seedlings had enough growth to be considered safe for planting outside in the garden and the weather had stabilized, the native seed gardener volunteers took over.

A list of the native seedlings had been sent to those volunteering to grow the seedlings in their garden and relevant information about the gardens gathered. Then the plants were collected by the volunteer gardeners, average about 4 or 5 plants each.

All those seedlings looked so pretty set out to be taken home by the gardeners.

Here are the seedlings I took home to grow for Spring Creek.

Northern Bedstraw/Galium boreale

Scurfy pea/Psoralea tenuiflorum

Canadian Hawkweed/Hieracium canadense

Michigan Lily/Lilium michiganense

The seedlings grew nicely through last summer into fall. The natives are now covered with snow and dormant until spring brings warmer temperatures and more sunlight hours per day. I grow anxious to find that the plants have returned to grow and produce seed that may then be gathered and sown in turn. Wish me luck!

http://www.nativeseedgardeners.org/About_Us_program_flow_chart.html

Winter Garden...SNOW !

2009-12-27T21:54:00.012-06:00

Across the back garden.

Along the fence Red twigged dogwood is growing nicely. The holly are slow and do not show up as much as we would have liked. Maybe another evergreen or two would help. The oakleaf hydrangea look so small compared with the dense growth of summer.

Coneflowers,switchgrass and perennial sunflowers (which should get much bigger next year).

Threadleaf coreopsis.

A snow covered oakleaf hydreangea bloom hanging on through winter.

Compost bin and brush pile along side the christmas tree, providing cover for wildlife until spring.

Behind the garage another woodpile and discarded tree. This one provided by our daughter.

The Hobbit Garden under a blanket of snow.

Dragonflies in a garden pond.

2009-05-27T11:45:00.009-05:00

Picture of above dragonfly naiad from uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles

While a garden pond at least 20 ft in diameter may be the best possible size to encourage dragonflies to breed in a garden habitat, I'm betting a smaller urban watering hole will work for at least a few visits.
Last year dragonflies were seen in our garden and we don't really have what could be called a pond. Just a tub sunken into the ground, partially filled with gravel to sculpt various depths,and refilled with the hose. A couple of larger rocks added for perching or climbing out the sides. More a bird bath than a pond really. Birds love to bath there and even the squirrels will drink from the edge. We keep two sides free of plant life in case a bat decides to swoop through for a sip.

Interesting creatures swim about in water after a few days. Beetle larvae that look ferocious,mosquito larvae that remind of tadpoles and dragonfly naiads are a part of pond life.

more pond bugs

Mosquitoes numbers seem about the same as usual at least until the city sprays, which will probably also take out the dragonfly larvae. But we will see.

NWF garden for wildlife dragonflies...

Read these excerpts ...
You don't necessarily need a large pond to attract dragonflies. "I've got friends whose 'pond' is a wooden half barrel," says Biggs, "and fork-tailed damselflies still come and breed in it. One of my grad students reared damselflies in plastic wading pools." Whatever the size, place your pond where it will be protected from wind and will get midday sun.
The ideal dragonfly pond should vary in depth, shallow at the edges and at least two feet deep in the center. "Deep water offers nymphs a refuge from raccoons and other predators," says Craig Tufts, chief naturalist for NWF, who helped oversee the construction of the pond that is the centerpiece of the natural garden in front of NWF's headquarters in Reston, Virginia. "Varied depths are also important to accommodate a variety of water plants." It's not that the nymphs or adults eat the plants. Dragonflies are voracious carnivores. Rather, underwater plants provide important habitat for the nymphs, which need places to rest, hunt for food and hide from predatory fish. And emergent vegetation-sedges, rushes and other plants that stick up above the water's surface-provides perching places for adults.
Such vegetation is also critical for dragonflies because the nymphs crawl up it when they emerge, making the transformation from water dweller to their free-flying adult form. And though dragonflies don't rely on specific host plants to nourish their young the way butterflies do, some species do use water plants as nurseries. They insert their eggs into the soft stems. What you plant around the pond is almost as important as what you plant in it. Don't mow the border-let the grasses and rushes grow. "Make sure you have some shrubs within a few feet of the water," says May. "That will provide more perching sites."

Although experts say that about 15 percent of North America's 307 dragonfly species are in danger of extinction, the dragonflies at greatest risk for extinction are the stream dwellers, species that won't be attracted to your backyard pond. "You can help protect their habitats by supporting laws and practices that reduce water pollution and protect riparian areas," says Tufts. "You'll be helping a lot of other creatures in the process."

news.bbc.co.uk earth news

Mosquito Control
Swallows, bats, and dragonflies are three animals that love to eat adult mosquitoes.
Putting up bat and bird houses can thus help keep mosquito numbers down.
Some insect larvae also eat mosquitoes including dragonflies, phantom gnats, and more. Promoting a wide array of insect life helps to prevent an outbreak of any one species.
Dragonfly larvae are big eaters of mosquito larvae. Adult dragonflies are also called mosquito hawks.
mosquitoes have some beneficial qualities mainly as food sources for fish and aquatic insects as larvae and for dragonflies, other insects, and bats as adults.

Each spring, the Chamber of Commerce in Wells, Maine, situated near thousands of acres of salt marshes, starts taking orders for dragonfly nymphs – or larvae – from town residents. The developing dragonflies cost about $30 per 50, and people order thousands of them.
The nymphs are released into local freshwater ponds. There, they feed on mosquito larvae, and after developing into adulthood, begin to hunt adult mosquitoes.
While there have been no studies proving the dragonflies are effective, locals swear they have seen major reductions in the mosquito populations, and other nearby towns have adopted the same method.

Sagebug how to dragonflies

Most dragonflies are particular about the ponds they’ll inhabit. They require shelter, sunlight, unpolluted water, emergent plants and hunting areas.

Many people report success in attracting dragonflies by adapting plastic wading pools and wooden half-barrels.
Whatever the size of your pond, be sure to locate it where it is protected from wind and will receive midday sun
Dragonflies are strict carnivores, so neither the nymphs or adults need water plants for food, but underwater plants are a critical requirement for dragonflies. Underwater plants provide dragonfly nymphs with places to rest, places to hunt for food, and places and hide from predatory fish. Water plants that stick up above the water’s surface provide excellent perching places for adults.
Excessive plant growth, especially of free-floating plants, may be a problem. Periodically skim off excess growth of floating plants. Monthly, prune dying plant material. Clean out some of the decaying plant material that has accumulated in the bottom of the pond in the spring. Remember that a natural pond is not a swimming pool and too much cleaning can do more harm than good.
If you want breeding populations of dragonflies in your pond, do not add fish. They will prey on the nymphs and eggs.

pondhawk ips odonata
The female inserts each egg individually into some suitable vegetation, from dead wood to reeds,
sometimes above the waterline, sometimes below.
In cases where the eggs are laid above the waterline, several situations may occur. Sometimes the eggs are laid over water, and the newly emerged larva drops in. Sometimes, the vegetation dies and falls into the water, or becomes submerged after the rains
If you are interested in allowing these creatures some space in your pond, observe where egg laying is occurring and make some allowance for this when you perform any maintenance.

After the egg has hatched, the larva (also called a nymph or naiad) is a cryptically colored, free living, aquatic predator.

Larvae prey mainly on other aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae or even other odonate larvae. Larger larvae may prey on fish fry. In turn, dragonflies are preyed on by a number of species, including fish and frogs. They may serve as hosts for certain aquatic mites and avian parasites. Many species live among the aquatic vegetation.

As with all insects, the larvae undergo a series of molts as they grow and develop.
While some species have relatively short larval development times (1-2 months from the egg hatching to emergence), most spend at least a year and some much longer (5 years or more in places where the climate is arduous) as aquatic larvae. Most will spend at least one winter in your pond and have to suffer through any maintenance activities you perform. Some may not survive activities such as cleaning the "mulm" from your pond.

The globe skimmers, genus Pantala frequently lay eggs in very small ponds, even fountains.

Getting the worms out of the worm castings.

2009-05-18T17:27:00.004-05:00

Kitchen scraps at the end of the day. I'm going to place them in nylon net bags saved from onion purchases.

Then both bags will be placed into the worm bin that is beginning to be more castings than bedding and can be harvested. You can do this anywhere from 3 to 6 months from the time you began the bin or last harvested, depending on the amount of food scraps fed to the worms. They also eat the shredded newspapper bedding and can survive quite well for many weeks if you can not feed them for awhile.

I'm using two bags but you can use as many as will fit if you want. The worms will crawl inside these bags and be a glob of writhing wormness in just a few days, easy to extract from the castings by lifting out and placing in another bin. Then leave the lid off of the bin where the worms have been removed and allow the castings to dry out. Sifting the castings through a screen will remove any leftover bedding clumps and worms that were missed. You might even find a few egg cases to put back with the worms.

If you are having problems with too much moisture adding a layer of DRY shredded newspaper to the top of the bin will catch condensation and absorb moisture from the bedding beneath. You can add more as often as necessary. The contents, like compost, shrink as it decomposes.

If the bin is really soggy and you want to quickly sop up the moisture, try this. Dump contents of bin onto plastic bag. Add a layer of DRY shredded newspaper(however thick you want it, but a few inches to the bottom of the bin will do) return worms and wet bedding to the bin. Then add another layer of DRY shredded newspaper to the top. This will absorb all that extra moisture and keep fruit flies from being a problem.

I like the worm bins, it has been a fun project.

Other compost and worm bin information

MAY 15th 2009 Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

2009-05-15T12:47:00.004-05:00

Allium, maybe purple sensation. It was given to us by a neighbor. The spirea just behind will be a vision of cascading white after this rain stops.

Flowering red osier dogwood. One of my favorite shrubs which berry later in mid-summer.

Aronia arbutifolia, will also produce berries in late summer/fall.

Ajuga blooming in the thyme.

Phlox subulata over the hobbit door.

a species heuchera flowers not open just yet.

Columbine/aquilegia. The dark purple ones and the pink ones are blooming all over the garden. But the red ones tend to stay put and are not nearly as big as in years past. I think I need to get a couple more that have not cross pollinated with others in this garden.

Check out all the other May flowers at MAY DREAMS GARDENS

I Brake For Dung Beetles...

2009-04-30T12:35:00.006-05:00

I Brake for Dung Beetles! from The WILD Foundation on Vimeo.

I found this video at Beetles In The Bush There is also a picture of a great bumper sticker, (probably a fund raiser) from The Wild Foundation
[Here at The WILD Foundation, we realize that it is not just those large, charismatic animals that inspire conservation - it is often the small, typically unnoticed and vastly under-appreciated ones that inspire us the most….and that are an indispensible part of the ecosystem!]

A few years ago on a camping trip in the Appalachian mountains the Mr and I came across a couple of dung beetles trying to roll bear dung off the gravel road with the same results as in this video. It was so funny. Had I been carrying a camera with video options we would have a north american version.

Discover Life

Excerpt...
The sacred scarab of the ancient Egyptians, Scarabaeus sacer, which inhabits North Africa, southern Europe and Asia, is often the only species of dung beetle that many people know about. We too often overlook the sizeable dung beetle faunas that inhabits our own continents. Indeed, a little observation in the natural habitats of almost any region of the world will reveal several intriguing species of diverse appearances and behaviors .
The Scarabaeinae, one of the two subfamilies of dung-rolling beetles (the other being the Aphodiinae), comprises about 4500 known species of worldwide distribution, occurring wherever excrement or nutrient-rich substrates are available.
About 75 species of Scarabaeinae occur in North America (Borror et al., 422; Ratcliffe 95).
Scarabaeine diversity is concentrated in the tropics: for example, while the most scarab-rich site in New York State might have close to 10 species, single sites in the tropics can have nearly 100 species. Most species feed on mammal dung, while smaller proportions feed on carrion or vegetable matter, or are even carnivorous.
Dung beetles, together with their saprophagous (decay-feeding) relatives, are ecologically important degraders and re-distributors of nutrients

princeton.edu pdf
excerpt...
The study examined the fate of dung beetles, which collect dung, bury it,snack on it, and lay their eggs in it. Burying the seed-laden dung also enriches the soil and helps plants regenerate. Trond Larsen, a graduate student at Princeton University, found that the beetle species best at burying dung were the first to disappear from forest fragments. Alarmingly, related species did not become more abundant. Much dung then went unburied.
Larsen says: “Even the loss of just one or two species may have a much greater impact than we previously thought.” Like top carnivores, the large dung beetles appear to be the most sensitive to extinction and extremely important for ecosystem integrity,he adds. Moreover, it’s surprisingly hard for others to fill their shoes, Ostfeld says: “I wouldn’t have expected to see this effect with a dung beetle.”

April Bumble Bees In The Backyard - Chicago

2009-04-19T11:05:00.008-05:00

The flowering abundance and sunny warm temperatures had bees buzzing about.

Look at the size of these bumbles! Fat queens ready to lay a colony.

Do they have an urban tough look or what?

This one has me puzzled. A bald spot? Seemed very aggressive as well. Chased me and the camera inside.

Later the bees were covered in pollen but I must have been put off by the earlier aggression because none of the pictures were clear...lol

ID of the bald spotted bee from UIUC Bee Spotter
Bombus bimaculatus - Twospotted Bumble Bee

Answer to question about bald spot...

Hello Gloria,
Thanks for your message. The hairs that cover a bee's body are subject to wear, and when a bee gets older, it is not unusual for the thorax to get a bit bald dorsally. Plus remember, bumble bees that we are seeing now have been around since back in late summer 2008; the one that you photographed might have had something of a rough winter.
Best regards,Terry Harrison

Wild flower in a garden

2009-04-16T14:01:00.018-05:00

Virginia Bluebells/mertensia virginiana
Very important in my garden as early pollen and nectar source.

The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, and Miner bees; these insects seek nectar and collect pollen.
Other visitors of the flowers include hummingbirds, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and Sphinx moths, including hummingbird moths seeking nectar from the flowers.

Rurality blog hummingbird-clearwing-moth picture feeding at bluebell
Flicker picture bee at bluebell

Eastern Redbud/Cercis canadensis next to garage.

The periodical cicada, Magicicada septendecim, lays its eggs in more than 70 species of trees and other plants, including redbud.

It is a host plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly
camouflaged

Leaf cutter bees use redbud leaves for nest lining.

Seeds have been consumed by game birds such as ring-necked pheasants,

rose-breasted grosbeaks,cardinals and bobwhites.

Flowers are another important early pollen and nectar source.

Virginia Creeper/Parthenocissus quinquefolia growing on a trellis

Berries eaten by mice, chipmunks and skunks.

Foliage and twigs browsed by white-tailed deer.

Birds...
Yellow-Shafted Flicker
Robin
Fox Sparrow
Crested Flycatcher
Mockingbird
Wood Thrush
Red-Eyed Vireo
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-Breasted Sapsucker

Nectar and pollen of the flowers occasionally attract various bees, including Leaf-Cutting bees (Megachile spp.),andLeaf-Cutting bees may use the leaflets of Virginia Creeper as construction material for their nests.

Several species of Sphinx moths rely on Virginia Creeper as a host plant.

Virginia creeper after the berries turn blue and the foliage begins to show touches of its fall color.

The photo contest this month at Gardening Gone Wild ask for A photo of any native plant(in a garden setting), either a close up or in the landscape, that you think merits attention to qualify.

Hard decision that.

Can you help me decide?

Building Beetle Mounds and a bit about Rove Beetles

2009-04-09T11:52:00.005-05:00

Today while catching up on posting at Cheryl's My Wildlife Sanctuary Blog, I came across what is a rather nice idea. Creating habitat for beetles in a nice suburban garden. It can takes years for the accumulation of decaying materials so a little help from a habitat gardener should speed things up.
Click here to read how Cheryl came to build a beetle mound

In this picture,on the right center, you can see how the beetle mound relates to the rest of the garden.

Thanks for allowing me to use the pictures Cheryl.

Why would anyone want to encourage more beetles?

Most of the thousands of beetle species are beneficial insects,helping to control many pest insects,including biting flies,mosquitoes and fleas. In agricultural settings they (depending on species) consume root maggot eggs and larvae, mites, small soil insects, insect eggs and small insects on foliage. So everyone benefits from a variety of beetles being about.

Non-flying crawling beetles tend to move slow and are of most use very near their food supply.

But the average garden does not accumulate the decaying mounds of organic matter found in natural areas where beetles may lay eggs and overwinter. So Cheryl took it upon herself to give aid.

Good idea! (She lives in the UK)

The rove beetles (Staphylinidae) constitute the largest and most diverse group of beetles in North America, accounting for roughly 4000 named species.

There is a great article about rove beetles at this

Florida University Website that is relevant to all of north america.

Excerpt....

Staphylinidae occupy almost all moist environments throughout the world. Because none of them is truly aquatic, they do not live in open waters; although winged adults may be skimmed from the sea surface far from land, their presence is due to misadventure but attests to their dispersive ability.

They live in leaf litter of woodland and forest floors and grasslands. They concentrate in fallen decomposing fruits, the space under loose bark of fallen, decaying trees, drifted plant materials on banks of rivers and lakes, and dung, carrion, and nests of vertebrate animals.

Several hundred species live only on seashores. Many are specialized to existence in nests of social insects.

Many inhabit caves, underground burrows of vertebrate animals, and smaller soil cavities, even of burrows that they (a few of them) excavate.

Many live in mushrooms.

Adults and even larvae of a few are associated with living flowers.

Others climb on plants, especially at night, and hunt for prey.

A few seem to live with terrestrial snails.

Their distribution in arid environments is restricted to moist microhabitats.

Food

many Tachyporinae, most Aleocharinae, Pselaphinae, Euaesthetinae, Steninae, Paederinae, and Staphylininae), representing the bulk of species in the family, so that it may be said that most Staphylinidae -- tens of thousands of species -- are facultative predators. Some have specialized, for example Oligota (Aleocharinae) as predators of mites, Erichsonius (Staphylininae) as predators of soil-inhabiting nematodes, Odontolinus (Staphylininae) on mosquito larvae in water-filled flower bracts of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae), and Eulissus (Staphylininae) on adult dung-inhabiting scarab beetles. Aleochara (Aleocharinae) has evolved to become parasitoidal in fly puparia.

Relationships with Higher Plants

Adults of some Omaliinae are attracted to flowers, and some of these have been demonstrated to pollinate the flowers. An example is Pelecomalium testaceum (Mannerheim) (Omaliinae), which pollinates Lysichiton americanum Hultén & St. John (Araceae) in the mountains of the Pacific coast of the USA and Canada. It is conceivable that Polyobus spp. (Aleocharinae) do the same for Espeletia spp. (Asteraceae) in the northern Andes of South America. Charoxus spp. (Aleocharinae) have a different, but yet highly specialized obligate relationship with plants -- the adults are attracted in the Neotropical region to the syconia of Ficus spp. (Moraceae) within which they oviposit, but the adults and larvae feed on pollinating wasps (Agaonidae) of those fig flowers.

Nests of Vertebrates

Some staphylinid species have specialized to live in the nests of vertebrates, especially tortoises, birds, and rodents. Their prey seems to be mainly the larvae of fleas and flies.

In Florida (USA) where populations of the tortoise Gopherus polyphemus (Daudin) (Testudines: Testudinidae) are declining through habitat loss and disease, populations of the staphylinid inhabitants of its nests also must be declining.

Names of species of Staphylinidae found in birds' nests were compiled almost 30 years ago, but there is little information on their behavior.

In central Asia, where sylvatic plague is endemic, some staphylinids are credited with suppressing flea populations, and thus help to suppress transmission of plague.

Adults of Amblyopinus and close relatives (subtribe Amblyopinina of subfamily Staphylininae) occur in the fur of some rodents in Central and South America. For years they were suspected of being parasites of these rodents, and taking blood from them.

Now, however, they are believed to be phoretic on the rodents, thus being transported from nest to nest.

They oviposit in the nests, and larvae feed as predators there of other arthropods.

Causes of Mortality

Natural Enemies

Scattered evidence needing review suggests that spiders, various insects (including Reduviidae, Carabidae, Asilidae, Formicidae, etc.)

amphibia, reptiles, birds, and bats, include Staphylinidae among their diets.

Among the parasites,

fungi play a major role,

and hymenopterous parasitoids, nematodes, and Nemata, a relatively minor role.

In temperate regions of the world,

as contrasted with tropical regions,

( staphylinids may achieve very high population levels at the soil in tropical regions)

at least at lower altitudes,

ants are ubiquitous and staphylinids less numerous in numbers of individuals; this suggests that ants may limit population levels of staphylinids in tropical regions.

Pesticide use

There is a growing literature about non-target effects of chemical pesticides on Staphylinidae in agricultural crops and turf grass, to the point where Aleochara bilineata (Gyllenhal) (a demonstrably beneficial species) has become a favored test animal for the effects of insecticides, herbicides, and plant-growth regulators. Destruction of natural habitat by humans, especially in the tropics, undoubtedly contributes to the rarity of many poorly-known staphylinid species

Water Filled Tree Cavities

2009-04-01T12:20:00.001-05:00

Here are two pictures of just two places in the garden that hold water for much of the year.

In the crotch of the tree is a hollow space that often contains a murky debris filled pool of water.Even the logs lining paths through the woodland garden and in the wood pile have places that will sometimes hold water.
This was a concern of mine for years.
As a wildlife habitat gardener many such water holes exist throughout the garden. So what to do?
I have decided to do nothing and just leave them be.

Water is held in hollow stems,cupped leaves and even in the flowers of some insect eating plants like pitcher plant, so it would be impossible to remove all or keep fresh this abundance of life sustaining vernal pools.These micro habitats often contain the larvae or nymphs of flies(including hover flies),beetles, mites,mosquitoes and even dragonflies. Some tree frogs live and breed in what can be gallons of water in deep decayed tree hollows.Many bees and butterflies seem to prefer taking moisture from the water soaked sponge like decaying debris that always occurs.These creatures,including many micro organisms, eat each other and the decomposing materials.
Nature at work filling all the niches...

The above was written for (by myself) the Wildlife Gardeners Forum . The comments by fellow wildlife gardeners was interesting and encouraging.It fits here on the blog and gives me a chance to introduce a favorite place.
I recently was invited to join in the forum and did so promptly after reading a few entries.
It is a monitored site but civil disagreement is not discouraged.
What a wealth of information.
If you are a wildlife gardener or interested in joining the discussions about recent scientific inquiry concerning gardeners or wildlife gardening practices, then you should take a look.

Wildlife Gardeners Home

EARTH HOUR 2009 March 28th 8:30 p.m. local

2009-03-27T11:31:00.007-05:00

It's time to turn off the lights and the electric gizmos. Just one little hour.

We have big fat candles in jars and under hurricane lamps all ready,plus a hand turned flashlight for just in case. Mainly we are going for total darkness.
You don't have to go dark if safety concerns you, just power down as much as you can leaving on what you consider essential.
The kids wanted to put up the trampoline out back, but it is supposed to be sleety /snow and cold so that is out.

We can tell stories,sing and eat. Finger foods for everyone. If you haven't already signed up then join us at EARTH HOUR

Map of U.S participants signed up so far... Map

The city of Chicago is ready... Chicago

Bee housing extraordinaire

2009-03-11T13:49:00.011-05:00

I really hope this link holds because the many pictures are great.
The site is German and so had to be linked through google translation. But the pictues say it all even if not translated. Make sure to scroll all the way down, some of the best pictures are at the bottom of the page.
An arrow pointing to the right,within the text, will take you to different pages on the site. The first arrow leads to the trail in a botanical garden where that particular bee housing was built. You can see some of the flowers planted along the paths.
And if you search through there are some directions and ideas. If interested explore the site by clicking those right facing arrows.

Solitary Bee housing

building directions on another site.

Great Picture

Found this site while visiting Busy Bee Girl's Blog . If you like information about bees you will love her blog.

A Walk In The Woods.

2009-03-07T15:13:00.033-06:00

My husbands parents retired to a community in Hot Springs Village Arkansas. While visiting recently I found one of my favorite spring wildflowers growing along a path in the garden.
Claytonia virginica/Spring Beauty

I decided to take a walk along one of the nearby trails to see if I could find more.
Here you can see an open flower and the narrow leaves, some purplish from the still chill nights.

Click here for more information
excerpt...
One of our prettiest and earliest-blooming wildflowers—spring beauty (Claytonia virginica)—is also a delicious vegetable. It may be the definitive tater tot. Native to moist woodlands, sunny stream banks, and thickets in eastern North America, this low-growing plant has tiny underground tubers that can be prepared and eaten just like potatoes. Indeed, another common name for the spring beauty is the "fairy spud."

Illinois Wildflowers ...excerpt
Various kinds of bees visit the flowers, include honey bees, bumblebees, Little Carpenter bees, Mason bees, Nomadine Cuckoo bees, Miner Halictid bees (including Green Metallic bees), and Andrenid bees. Many flies also visit the including Syrphid flies, the Giant Bee fly (Bombylius major), Carrion flies, Muscid flies, and Anthomyiid flies. Less often, various butterflies and skippers visit the flowers. These insects usually seek nectar; some of the bees also collect pollen. It is possible that the corms, which are edible, are eaten occasionally by voles and other small rodents. They can be eaten by humans as well, but their small size makes this rather impractical.
University Of Arkansas Agricultural Extension
USDA Plants Profile and distribution map
Ozark Edge Wildflowers

The marked walking trails are nice with lots to see even on a late February stroll.

The most exciting find was a hobbit hole. No wooden door to knock at so one must shout "HELLO!" before entering.

No one seemed to be at home this day or else all were sleeping late.

Can you imagine Tolkien strolling along a wood in England and finding just such a dwelling before penning 'The Hobbit'?

hobbit garden
pictures

Other than Spring Beauties most green flora consisted of ferns and moss.

Some blooming.

Some shining in the sunlight.

Isn't this moss covered bank pretty?

And this growing on a decaying fallen branch.

These little mushrooms looked liked something from a story about to set out on a walk along the trail on such a fine day.

Our own garden here in Chicago is still very brown except for the tips of a few bulbs begining to emerge. Todays warm rain should encourage them.

Where the Wild Things Were

2009-02-04T09:25:00.005-06:00

Life, Death, And Ecological Wreckage In A land Of Vanishing Predators
WILLIAM STOLZENBURG

Ever wonder what the world would be like if most big predator animals had not been eliminated?
Does it frighten you to think of wolves and cougars roaming around wild and free?
Do deer pose a scary problem on roads and in forests in response to a lack of predation?
Do you think of humans as the ultimate top predator?

William Stolzenburg is a science writer, a wildlife journalist that has put together what scientist have found out about the loss of so many keynote predators in ecological communities throughout the world and what happens when they are returned.
It has been fascinating reading.

From Robert T. Paine in 1963, then ecology professor at the University of Washington,recounting his experiment at Mukkaw Bay with removal of predator starfish Pisaster ochraceous, to the return of Wolves at Yellowstone National park,Stolzenburg gives us the many scientist's at work, in the field.

At Mukkaw, Paine over time removed every star fish Pisaster from a ledge of tidal rock while leaving the starfish on adjoining stretches. Where untouched the small communities of marine invertebrates (barnacles,limpets,snails,mussels,chitons and starfish) remained intact and healthy. Where Paine had been prying loose and returning to the sea the predator starfish (main prey a mussel), a monoculture of those predator free mussels remained. The starfish Pisaster was a keynote predator keeping the most aggressive species under control. Without the starfish creating openings of free space where eating the mussels, an invasive crowding out of all other species occurred.

This scene plays out over and over where predator species are eliminated. When killer whales can no longer find enough calories in big sea creatures they practically wipe out whole communities of sea lions and then even small sea otters.
Sea otters eat sea urchins which in turn eat kelp. See where he's going here...

Of particular interest is the story of how deer became such a problem. How wiping out cougars and wolves and even limiting hunting caused tremendous problems not only with deer populations but also deer behaviour.
I cheered when stories of the wolves returned to Yellowstone National Park had such stunning
results. Aspens, cottonwoods and river banks, how could the wolves return revitalize the entire Yellowstone's ecological community? Over ten years later the wolves are thriving and making a difference.

Like The Forgotten Pollinators by Buchmann,Nabhan and Mirocha
and Tracking the Vanishing Frogs: An Ecological Mystery by Kathryn Phillips
'Where The Wild Things Were' by William Stolzenburg
will keep you reading until the last page.
The bibliography alone is worth the price of this book. It is 47 pages of resource heaven.

Click here for the book website

Other reviews...

CS Monitor

Boston Globe

The Green Skeptic blog

Bombus affinis: a "rara apis" Spotted in Illinois

2009-01-30T10:55:00.008-06:00

Bombus affinis / Rusty patched bumble bee

The citizen beespotter program at the uiuc, in it's first year, has had a positive ID of a bumble bee not seen in Illinois for many years.
What a great project to get the many eyes(and cameras) of the public working to understand where and which bees live in Illinois.

Beespotter has a website where Topics range from How to take a good photo of a bee ,
To
Designing A Bee Garden .

Once you join even if you have no pictures to add (yet) you can view pictures taken by other beespotters and identified by university staff.
I have added a couple of photos of bumble bees to the site and intend to add many more this coming year. Orland Grassland, where a prairie restoration is underway, should be a bee haven.
Check it out and if you live or visit Illinois, take a few pictures of the bees you encounter, then share.

Bees at pollinators-welcome

Pictures of Gardening in San Antonio Texas

2009-01-25T18:41:00.022-06:00

While googling San Antonio gardens to check out, I came across a post about visiting The San Antonio Botanical Gardens written by Pam at Digging in Austin Tx. She has some great pictures and an informative post about the water saver gardens display .

Pam's pictures of Water Saver Lane were taken in Summer.
The pictures here were taken a couple of weeks ago...a winter look.

The wildlife garden had many birds, which noisily let us know we were interfering with foraging.

Pam at ... Digging
Digging post...San Antonio Botanical Garden
Water Saving Lane .

The rest of these pictures were taken as we walked along San Antonio streets. A look at what some San Antonio gardeners are doing in real front gardens.

To bad I can't find any San Antonio garden bloggers.

Here is a great option for spending time outside.

Lawn people...

A touch of the south.

San Antonio Texas...Visiting Botanical Gardens In Winter

2009-01-23T10:36:00.023-06:00

While travel in winter would not seem to be the best time for visiting botanical gardens, they are really both fun and beautiful as well as less crowded this time of year.

Of course winter in Southern Texas is quite a different thng than winter in Chicago Illinois, where we live.

No deep freeze or heavy snowfall to end bloom or bounty. I don't think I could find the Swiss Chard or fennel under the snow here at home.

There didn't seem to be much space devoted to lawn. Not even at the entry.

Plenty of color, ground covers and wide walks from which to enjoy the setting.

Small garden beds,

Dry slopes,

Great plant companions,

and desert habitat.

My favorite though was the trails through native plantings and some old buildings from Texas history.

Look at that wide expanse of porch and the vegetable garden to the side.

That porch was a perfect spot from which to view the pond and the abundant wildlife. I can imagine shelling beans for dinner and enjoying a breeze. Might need screening from the mosquitoes during summer but evening would be heaven.

The art work was a nice touch.

special exhibit

Map of San Antonio Botanical Garden

Urban Coyote or Dream Spirit?

2008-12-16T18:03:00.007-06:00

Stan Gerht holds a female coyote captured in the Chicago metro area

During the night about 2 a.m. I awoke and glanced out the bedroom window. Trotting quickly past and disappearing into an alley was what appeared to be a coyote. I ran to the back door and out to the gate but the animal was gone. I know what a coyote looks like. The ears ,face,tail,that walk, it had to be but never would I have imagined to see this outside my front door.

The ground was clear of snow after a warm day so no tracks to capture an image . Was this a dream brought on by all the recent reading of Hillerman reservation mystery's? How does one go about checking local sightings? Should this be mentioned to anyone? So many react badly to this kind of information.

Google has an answer to all questions. Of course a university has an urban coyote study and of course it is of the Chicago area. I was very surprised by the findings.

Apparently coyotes are very common in urban areas with Chicago being no exception.
"It's not uncommon to see a coyote pass through an urban or suburban neighborhood."
“We couldn't find an area in Chicago where there weren't coyotes,” Gehrt said.

Urban coyotes are more active at night and so seldom seen by people. They live longer lives in urban areas than rural counterparts and do a real service by eating pests like rodents and canadian geese eggs.

So it looks like I may have seen a real coyote and not some mythical native american appariton.

STAN GEHRT research news archives

Seed Magazine Wily Coyote moves to windy city

Wild About Pets pictures of Chicago coyotes
An excellent radio interview with Stan Gehrt about coyotes in urban areas to which that you can listen, as well as great pictures.

Chicago Wilderness Magazine predator comeback
excerpt...
the coyote baby boom of the late 1990s in Cook County provoked the largest study of urban coyotes to date in the world. Authored by Gehrt and a team working with Max McGraw, around 200 radio-collared coyotes were tracked for six years. Results have suggested that as many as 2,000 coyotes may be making a good living in the county and that their presence as keystone predator is far more beneficial than dangerous. Only five of the collared coyotes have been removed as nuisances, and there have been no reports of coyotes biting humans in Cook County. (Compare that to 3,000 dog bites reported most years.) The coyotes’ main diet of voles and other small mammal pests has had a significant effect on rodent control, and, to some extent, on the overpopulation of white-tailed deer. They have even been credited with checking the growth of Canada goose flocks that burgeoned in the 1980s. A recent videotape study found coyotes raiding goose nests for eggs.
“They’re an important part of the ecosystem,” says Glowacki, “and we definitely don’t want them gone.”

But what about cougars? How much of that historic territory can we give back to a predator with a record, however rare, of attacking human beings? As a matter of public safety, won’t we really be forced to shoot or relocate them all?
“That’s a legitimate question,” says Gehrt. “The cold, hard truth is that it’s not easy to hunt down or trap mountain lions. In fact, it’s pretty hard. And they’re serving a role in an ecosystem that has been out of whack in and around the cities for a long time. They can have an effect on the overabundance of white-tailed deer, which are a major problem for property damage and even death. There are many, many more people killed in auto collisions with deer than will ever be killed by cougars. Still, the only time we hear about the large predators is when they’re in conflict with people, which means that any suggestion for management programs will have to deal with public fear.

Winter at Millennium Park is here!

2008-12-02T10:48:00.005-06:00

Check out upcoming Free winter events in the Park.

Caroling at Cloud Gate
Fridays at 6pm, thru December 19.
Millennium Park's holiday tradition Caroling At Cloud Gate (pdf) returns featuring Chicago's favorite choral groups:

The Wooten Choral Ensemble
December 5

Chicago Chamber Choir
December 12

Chicago Children's Choir
December 19 Chicagoans and visitors alike are invited to sing-along and enjoy complimentary coffee and hot cider courtesy of Caribou Coffee. Caroling at Cloud Gate is supported by the Comer Foundation.

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, now in its 8th season and drawing more than 100,000 skaters annually, is free and open to the public. Skate rental is available for $10.
The Ice Rink is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets in Millennium Park. The season continues thru March 15.

Winter Garden Stroll Through The Lurie
Saturday, December 6, 10am Meet at Cloud Gate.
Take a casual yet informative walk through the Lurie Garden and discover the richness that winter brings. Tours are approximately one hour and are led by Lurie Garden Staff.

Lurie Garden Winter Lecture Series
Tuesday, December 9, 6pm
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St.

Join the Lurie Garden staff and Joel Greenberg, author of 'A Natural History of the Chicago Region' and co-author of 'A Birder's Guide to the Chicago Region' for the December winter lecture. Greenburg will read from his newest book, a collection of first-person narratives written between 1721 and 1959. These unique voices from the land present an unexpected and fascinating portrait of Chicago. Books will be available for sale.

Hands-on Family Workshop: Flower Frenzy
Saturday, December 13, 10am - 12pm
Chicago Cultural Center , 78 E. Washington St. Learn the parts of a flower and why each part is important to the plant. Dissect and investigate real flowers, then make some flower-based crafts to take home. Pre-registration required, please call 312.742.5519.

Learn more (pdf) about other upcoming Lurie Garden lectures and family events.

SNOW, DECEMBER 1st 2008

2008-12-01T12:36:00.011-06:00

Fresh snowfall in the garden.

One of those heavy wet snows that cling causing everything to droop or flatten.

Well not everything, the coneflowers seem to stand through all winter brings.

This panicum will rebound as the snow melts,at least it did last year. It was much larger this year.

Shrubs and trees look lovely in white in front of house.

Groundcovers have disappeared under lumpy blankets of snow.

The Hobbit garden.

Along back fence. A few ragged leaves frozen in place on the oakleaf hydrangea. A screen loosened by wind.

Out the back door.

I really like winter and snow in the garden.

SAVE OUR STATE PARKS

2008-11-06T11:07:00.007-06:00

Chicago Tribune Barbara Brotman column: See these parks before they're gone Barbara Brotman Nov 06, 2008

We are a large family. All of us together is a tribe with many boisterous children always included. As such, famliy get togethers tend to be outdoor affairs. We have picnics in the forest preserves, hike the old canals, and camp at state park sites.
But many of these spontaneous events will come to an end soon as the State of Illinois has decided to close so many parks and historical places of interest.
Maybe trying to keep the parks open is selfish. Money is short and tax payers stretched thin. Jobs are being lost everywhere. But it seems a shame after so much money and effort has gone into getting children back outside, to now start closing off those areas near enough to where people live as to be easily accessed.

Pat Quinn, Lt Governer of Illinois is making an effort to stop the closings. He is asking for the support of those that may use these parks.You can sign an online petition and e-mail your reasons.
Standing up for Illinois-Save our parks
Near the bottom are links to maps of the many sites being closed and articles discussing the closures.

Maps parks

*Castle Rock State Park, Oregon Castle Rock
*Lowden State Park, Oregon Lowden State Park
*Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield Hennepin Canal Parkway
*Illini State Park, Marseilles Illini State Park
*Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon Channahon Parkway State Park
*Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris Gebhard Woods State Park
*Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg Hidden Springs State Forest
*Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood Kickapoo State Park
*Moraine View State Park, Leroy Morraine View State Park
*Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton Weldon Springs
*Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor Wolf Creek

Maps historic sites.
David Davis Mansion, Bloomington, IL
Dana Thomas House, Springfield, IL
Hauberg Indian Museum at Blackhawk State Historic Site, Rock Island, IL
Lincoln Log Cabin, Lerna, IL
Fort de Chartres, Prairie Du Rocher, IL
Vandalia Statehouse, Vandalia, IL
State Center at Bishop Hill, Bishop Hill,IL
Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, Galesburg, IL
Cahokia Courthouse, Cahokia, IL
Bryant Cottage, Bement, IL
Jubilee College, Peoria County, IL
Apple River Fort, Elizabeth, IL
Fort Kaskaskia, Chester, IL
Pierre Menard Home, Ellis Grove, IL

Articles
Ogle County News - Parks are still slated to close; Lowden, Castle Rock scheduled to shut down Sunday, Nov. 30
WREX-TV - Bills to Save State Parks Sent to the Governor
Morris Daily Herald - Parks bills sent to governor
Chicago Tribune - Letters sent to park vendors about park closures
Bloomington Pantagraph - Governor should not delay OK of budget bill
Rockford Register Star - Conservationists want state parks bill vetoed
Morris Daily Herald – Save Our Parks
Morris Daily Herald - Fight about preserving memories, making more
Joliet Herald News - Hundreds gather at park rally
Ogle County News - Quinn says use the Web to save parks
State Journal Register - $1 million federal grant withheld
Bloomington Pantagraph - Public opinion heard, but we’re not out of the woods
WREX-TV - Senate Approves Funding That May Save State Parks
Herald News - Senate bills may save state parks
Lt. Governor Ready for Drastic Measures if Blagojevich Doesn't ... - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 29, 2008
Budget issues far from decided - The State Journal-Register, IL - Sep 29, 2008
Finke: Lawmakers continue tussle with Blagojevich - Peoria Journal Star, IL - Sep 27, 2008
Rockford Conservationists Fight to Save State Parks - WIFR, IL - Sep 26, 2008
State Rep. Jil Tracy on restoring of budget cuts - KHQA, IL - Sep 24, 2008
$1 million federal grant withheld - The State Journal-Register, IL - Sep 24, 2008
Senate bills may save state parks - Joliet Herald News, IL - Sep 24, 2008
Senate Approves Funding That May Save State Parks - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 24, 2008
RALLY: Protect The Park Hundreds gather to protest park closure - MyWebTimes.com, IL - Sep 22, 2008
State parks, historical sites should remain - Rochelle News Leader, IL - Sep 22, 2008
Moraine View rally draws 1000-plus people protesting closure - Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - Sep 20, 2008
Will County Board's message to Springfield: ‘Keep state park open' - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 19, 2008
Save our state parks - Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 19, 2008
Budget-balancing act could put state in trouble with the feds - The State Journal-Register, IL - Sep 19, 2008
Vintners have state parks in spirit of wine festival - LaSalle News Tribune, IL - Sep 19, 2008
Concern over state-park closings - Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 19, 2008
Blagojevich trying to be lovable loser - Daily Illini, IL - Sep 18, 2008
Could county take over the two parks? - Ogle County News, IL - Sep 18, 2008
Online Petition Drive to Save State Parks, Historic Sites - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 18, 2008
House restores park and other funding - Rochelle News Leader, IL - Sep 18, 2008
Fight to save parks continues - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 17, 2008
LeRoy’s activist attorney sues over park closures - Clinton Daily Journal, IL - Sep 16, 2008
State Parks Delay Closing - WEEK-TV, IL - Sep 16, 2008
Updated 9/15: Lake County residents unite to save parks - Lake Forester, IL - Sep 15, 2008
Continue pressure to restore cuts, keep parks open - Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - Sep 14, 2008
Ill. park closures raise concern about wildlife - Daily Vidette, IL - Sep 14, 2008
Governor's budget cuts reach beyond closure of state parks - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL - Sep 14, 2008
House reappropriates fund for parks - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 13, 2008
Hennepin Canal Parkway to close - Geneseo Republic, IL - Sep 12, 2008
Will County forest preserve officials oppose closing state parks - Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 12, 2008
Lawmakers trying to restore cuts, save state parks - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL - Sep 12, 2008
LeRoy lawyer expects to file lawsuit Friday to stop park closures - Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - Sep 11, 2008
Passion For Two Oregon State Parks Fuels Community - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 11, 2008
House votes to restore funds for state parks, historic sites - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL - Sep 11, 2008
Groups Question Blago's Budget Cuts - WGIL Radio News, IL - Sep 11, 2008
Ax still falling on state jobs, parks, historic sites - Chicago Daily Herald, IL - Sep 11, 2008
Plans for rally going forward - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 11, 2008
Kickapoo concerns dominate Vermilion County Board meeting - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL - Sep 10, 2008
Illinois history demands protection - Daily Illini, IL - Sep 10, 2008
Lawmakers begin trying to keep parks open - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, IL - Sep 10, 2008
Petitions mount to keep Weldon Springs open - Clinton Daily Journal, IL - Sep 9, 2008
Closures will affect I&M Canal - MyWebTimes.com, IL - Sep 9, 2008
Local politicians debate environmental issues - Daily Illini, IL - Sep 9, 2008
Petition Against Closing IL State Parks - WIFR, IL - Sep 9, 2008
Budget cuts to close area parks - Rochelle News Leader, IL - Sep 8, 2008
Sarley: Closing parks hurts everyone - Northwest Herald, IL - Sep 8, 2008
Illinois budget ax aimed at historic sites: What do you think? - Chicago Sun-Times, United States - Sep 8, 2008
State park, historic site closings prove puzzling - Peoria Journal Star, IL - Sep 6, 2008
LETTER: Governor's cuts all affect state taxpayers - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, IL - Sep 5, 2008
State parks important - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 5, 2008
Public Invited to Sign Petition to Support Lowden State Park - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 5, 2008
What to expect if Illini State Park Closes - MyWebTimes.com, IL - Sep 5, 2008
Council approves proclamation against Weldon Springs closure - Clinton Daily Journal, IL - Sep 5, 2008
Illinois State Budget - KHQA, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Decision to close parks is called “horrendous” - Ogle County News, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Mayor looks to unite, fight - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Castle Rock, Lowden to close Nov. 1 - Ogle County News, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Costly park cuts - Northwest Herald, IL - Sep 3, 2008
State to close local parks and historical sites - Daily Vidette, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Weldon Springs’ closure rouses public action - Clinton Daily Journal, IL - Sep 2, 2008
ABC7: Protesters fight for state parks to remain open
Illinois historic sites open until Nov. 30
Bowman: Outdoor Notes
From Oregon to Gov: Don’t close our state parks
Governor a no-show at historic sites, parks
State lawmakers, business leaders question state park closings
Online drive to save parks started
Cutbacks may hurt areas businesses, social services
Congressman: Federal law may prevent two park closings (Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965)
Young activist works to save park
Budget cuts to close area parks
2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau.
Illinois budget cuts to close historic sites and parks
Visitors and workers speak out about possible state park closure
Mayor looks to unite, fight
Rally against Illini closure planned
Governor closing 24 state sites, including Kickapoo State Park
Residents begin campaigns to save Kickapoo State Park
Young activist works to save park
State to lay off 450 and close parks and historic sites
S.O.S - Save Weldon Springs rally set for Sept. 14
Rally for the canal
Other Petitions
Stop the closing of 11 state parks - petition
Environment Illinois
Stop Blagojevich Closing Our State Parks
Facebook Pages & Other Sites
Save Kickapoo State Park [1]
Save Illinois Parks
Save Illinois’ State Parks
Save Moraine View State Park
Save Kickapoo State Park [2]
Group Petition to keep Weldon Springs and other Illinois state parks open!
Stop Blagojevich From Closing Illinois State Parks!
Better Fishing Association of Northern Illinois

Osage Orange

2008-10-31T11:36:00.012-05:00

Click on the picture to enlarge for a better look at the Osage oranges still hanging in the tree. For even better pictures check out this Chicago area blogger .

This native north american tree is still fairly common in our area. Unique enough to have been allowed to go on growing in many areas but messy enough to keep todays homeowners from planting anew it is fairly well known in these parts.

I have read that this tree grew originally only in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
First native americans then later farmers spread the osage orange tree across the plains states. The wood is very hard and rot resistant making it useful for bows,utensils,tools and other wooden items. The farmer grew hedges of osage orange that were thick and tall with thorns which kept in livestock. Then found further use for the trees wood as fence posts that seemed to last forever when barbed wired took over as fencing and the hedges were cut down.

Some wildlife, like squirrels, find the seed of osage orange quite tasty.The seeds are said to be edible by humans as well but are hard to extract.The pulp and other parts are not to be eaten.

For more information...
Selecting Trees For Your Home UIUC
Osage Orange, Hedgeapple/Maclura pomifera

Missouri Conservationist Osage
excerpt...
Osage orange is the best native wood for fence posts. It is one of the heaviest woods in North America and rates at the top for resistance to weathering. Anti-fungal and anti-oxidant compounds that protect the wood from decay have been identified in the heartwood. The outer sapwood is thin, so even small-diameter posts have a high proportion of heartwood. Osage orange posts set 50 years ago are still standing strong.

And lots of pictures...
Osage Orange

The tree's native range was a small area in western Arkansas, southern Oklahoma and parts of east Texas. But early explorers, like Marquette and Joliet, did find the trees growing near Osage Indian villages. And it was from the branch wood of the Osage orange tree that the Indians made their highly prized bows.

How To Build A Bow .

Osage Orange/Maclura pomifera ...

Dioecious - having unisexual reproductive units with male and female plants occurring on different individuals;
they are either gynoecious (female plants) or androecious (male plants).

Female plants that occur without male plants near, produce seedless fruits.
Males do not produce fruit only pollen.

Maclura pomifera/Osage Orange is wind pollinated.

Osage Orange-form in winter

Todays post inspired by Defining Your Home Garden

Bats In The Garden.

2008-10-29T08:34:00.008-05:00

Mormoopidae: Pteronotus parnellii (Mustached bat), Brazil. Photo by L. H. Emmons. Smithsonian Encyclopedia Bat Facts

Garden Rant is a daily read around here. If the days offering is of particular interest then I will be back and forth often, following the conversation. Sadly my own favorites do not always get enough play. So today I thought I would hijack the subject.
BATS!

While I do not garden to attract bats they are welcome. Gardening with wildlife in mind will encourage any local bat population. Bats need food (mostly insects), water (that pond or bird bath) and a safe undisturbed home for resting and reproducing.

Although some species of bats are endangered by loss of roosting space or open accessible water, bats in general are not rare even in urban areas. Cities are full of crevices, hollows and perches where bats may creep in or hang from, hidden away for the daylight hours. You might find a single bat or quite a few if there is room. Bat colonies tend to grow as signs showing inhabitants have been successful over time, draw more bats to investigate (hence the advise to place guano beneath your manmade bat house).
Some bats live in hollow old trees while others make do with loose bark peeling away from dead branches or trees that tend to shed old bark. An endangered Indiana bat (sometimes found locally in Chicago area) camouflaged so well it was comfortable just hanging onto the bark quite exposed. Other bat species do not overwinter in cold climates but migrate futher south where food is plentiful during winter. During their warm weather stay in the north the canopy of a tall densely branched tree can be home enough.
The exterior of a building will often have a multitude of hiding places for a young inquisitive bat. Behind an upper story shutter,loose siding, space just a 1/2 inch wide along a roof edge all and more will provide a warm place for a tired bat to get cozy for at least a day. Hopefully the bat will not be able to enter the dwelling proper to find space in the attic. That is not good for the homeowner or the bats. Window screen placed over all entrances to the attic will exclude bats and keep hibernating species from entering.

Any garden will have plenty of insects . A light left on at dusk will show just how many insects there are and provide a buffet area for bat residents. A Rose of Sharon in my garden draws large night moths right outside one bedroom window. At night I have been known to watch for a dark shape quickly passing. It would be very cool to see a bat catch dinner. Maybe we should look into Bat Detectors .

All bats need an accessible water source but especially lactating mothers. Bats drink by flying low over water and scooping up mouthfuls of water as they pass. Leaving an open flyway without dense planting will help as even bats need space to lift high again. An interesting article in National Wildlife
discussed drowning bats in water tanks for domestic animals and how to solve the problem.

Bats are part of a healthy ecosystem and we can learn to live with them, even in a garden.

For your reading pleasure...

drinking water
Tanks
excerpt...
When bats or birds fall into tanks, they splash along the edges searching for a way out. If the water level is even a few inches below the rim, the animals are likely to find escape impossible. How many bats are killed in stock tanks yearly is unknown. However, the loss is so high, Tuttle says, that biologists have recommended skimming stock tanks for bat skulls to determine which species occur in an area.
To reduce this threat BCI, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, last year launched a program for putting escape ramps into troughs and storage tanks. A variety of ramps can be made out of expanded metal, which looks like heavy steel mesh. To be effective, a ramp must have side skirts that touch the inner wall of the tank. Ramps that merely rise from the water like a bridge, with no skirts, do not help, as bats and other animals simply pass under them. The side skirts provide animals with an escape route that they meet as they clamber along the tank edge. They can climb up the skirt and out of the water.
For details on making wildlife escape ramps for water tanks, visit Batcon.

Directionality of drinking passes by bats at water holes: is there cooperation?

These are the bats found in Illinois,
FE means federally endangered,
SE means state endangered.
You should check with a local resource to see which bats could be found in your area.
All bats are protected.

This list is from the Illinois Natural History Survey web site, mammals page: UIUC

Order Chiroptera: BatsFamily Vespertilionidae: Vespertilionid bats
Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831) - Little brown bat
Myotis sodalis Miller & G.M. Allen, 1928 - Indiana bat FE
Myotis austroriparius (Rhoads, 1897) - Southeastern myotis SE
Myotis grisescens A.H. Howell, 1909 - Gray bat FE
Myotis septentrionalis (Troussart, 1897) - northern long-eared bat
Lasionycteris noctivagans (Le Conte, 1831) - Silver-haired bat
Pipistrellus subflavus (F. Cuvier, 1832) - Eastern pipistrelle
Eptesicus fuscus (Beauvois, 1796) - Big brown bat
Lasiurus borealis (Müller, 1776) - Red bat
Lasiurus cinereus (Beauvois, 1796) - Hoary bat
Nycticeius humeralis (Rafinesque, 1818) - Evening bat
Plecotus rafinesquii Lesson, 1827 - Rafinesque's big-eared

NPR bat story beating the odds.

Bat House Success Tips

Researcher

Listing of Issues and Articles at Bat Conservation International website concerning bat house research...

Excerpt...
Successful Bat Houses Shed Light On Bat Needs. The Bat House Researcher. Vol 1, No. 1:1-2.
Five houses in Maryland, Wisconsin, and New York that received sun for 8 to 12 or more hours daily were all occupied. Three of these were either painted dark or were covered with tar paper. The two that were left a natural wood color received 12 or more hours of sun. Twenty-two bat houses in other northern locations received less than four hours of daily sun, and none of them were occupied, clearly confirming the vital role of solar heating. Even in the South, only one of 11 occupied houses received less than four hours of daily sun, while nine that received little or no sun were unoccupied.

Reminder to Owners of Unsuccessful Bat Houses

IF AFTER AT LEAST ONE active season, your bat house remains unoccupied, try moving it to a new location where it receives more or less sun. Reports thus far indicate that most successful bat houses are occupied within the first year, and that most failure results from too little exposure to sun. A house that fails at first, but is occupied after a move, may provide especially enlightening information on what local bats need.

If your houses are mounted on poles, try rotating them from a north/south exposure to sun to east/west. Since houses seem to be too cool more often than too warm, this may help. If your houses are insulated and empty, try removing the insulation to permit greater heat gain. You also can try painting houses a different color, most often darker.

Attaching nursery houses back-to-back on poles may reduce extremes of temperature fluctuations. Such houses in the hottest climates may benefit from tin roofs with enough overhang on the east and west sides to reduce solar heating during mid-day.
Ventilation slots, like those used by Lisa Williams, are also a good idea.

Orland Grasslands...Prairie Restoration in our midst.

2008-10-21T12:26:00.014-05:00

A couple of weeks ago Elizabeth Bruhns sent out an e-mail informing Chicago Master Gardeners of a continuing Education opportunity at The Orland Grasslands Prairie Restoration.
Sounded like something I would enjoy so I called my sister and off we went to participate. There we met Ryan White and other volunteer seed collectors eager to learn. Ryan walked us through sections of the prairie giving us a brief history and then showing us how to identify the plants and seeds we wanted to collect that day. We started with Big Blue Stem and Compass Plant .

After collecting the seed for awhile Ryan demonstrated how to separate the seed with what I think was 1/4 inch screen but different sized screen may be used for larger seed. That is Big Blue Stem on the screen in the picture above. The compass plant seed is much larger than the big blue seed so the screen mostly just broke up the dried seedheads. Some of the greener seedheads needed separating by hand.

The next Friday October 11th we returned for more instruction and seed collection. This time one of the seeds we collected was from Tall Coreopsis/coreopsis triperis

The seedheads were easy to spot standing tall over the prairie. The leaves three or five segments ,opposite on reddish stems.

Ryan also helped us learn to identify and collect seed from...

prairie cordgrass/Spartina pectinata

prairie blazing star/Liatris pycnostachya

flat topped/hard leaved goldenrod/Solidago rigida

and grey-headed coneflower/Ratibida pinnata

Since collecting as much quality prairie seed as possible is a priority for the stewards of the prairie, Ryan has decided to do one more day of collection with us this Friday October 24th. He is inviting anyone that would like to learn a bit about prairie plant seed collecting to join us.

This picture above is of a wetland area that is being cleared of most woody species except a few natives and will be replanted with desirable species. We met a few of the people involved .They were friendly and enthusiastic about their accomplishments making us feel welcome to join the group.

Linda,Barbara and Ryan holding our mornings collection.

This from Ryan White...
This coming Friday is our last seed collection outing at Orland Grassland before the seed is mixed and sown back to our priority sites. Orland volunteer steward, Pat Hayes, mentioned we need to target the last "good quantities of tall coreopsis, goldenrods, and gray headed coneflower on the western half of the site. There is also thimbleweed remaining here and there." These plants and some beautiful asters will be our primary goal this Friday. Joining us will be stewards Bill and Marybeth Fath, and you can ask about their years of restoration experience on the Grassland that enable us to collect these seeds this year.
We'll meet this Friday, at 10:00 am along 104th just north of 179th. (where we all first met). Look for the sign.

Map Link

Many were interested in coming to The Annual Seed Cleaning Event held next Thursday, November 6th at 6:30 at the Civic Center in Orland. This is the last step before dispersing the seed back at Orland Grassland. We'll mix the millions of seed together as if baking for acres of new prairie vistas. This process is a great celebration of the cooperation from everyone's fall seed harvest. You all played a significant role in this, and are warmly invited to this event.
We hope you or a friends can join us this Friday.
Best,
Ryan
Audubon Chicago Region Field Representative--

-----------------------------------------
2008 Seed Collection Summary: by Pat Hayes
What a wonderful year for those of us who have worked so hard at the Grassland over these many years. For the first time we have actually been able to harvest measurable quantities of seed.

To date, we have collected almost two grocery bags full of cleaned little blue stem. Not cleaned: a full bag of blazing star, a grocery bag of gray headed cone flower, half a bag of compass plant, some prairie dock, rosen weed, whorled milk weed, a full bag of monarda, four grocery bags of wild quinine, some indigo, ironweed, prairie coreopsis and rattlesnake master. Additionally, Ryan has also collected big bluestem (for the shrubland areas), tall coreopsis, and flat headed goldenrod. All these seeds have been collected throughout the extended Phoenix area, Kwadekik, and Northwest Savanna area.

Seed was not collected from The Scrape to allow it all to fully blow around and reseed itself there.

Scurfy pea got away from us this year. While it spread like crazy, it seemingly produced very little to no seed. Also, I had marked with a green tape and had been watching a stand of round-headed bush clover waiting for it to be ready to collect. It's either been collected by someone else, or eaten, as seed heads were snipped as of yesterday.

The little blue was most abundant in the Northwest Savanna area. In this sensitive area, some little blue was collected, and some left behind. Outside sensitive areas, all seed was removed from little blue. Good quantities of tall coreopsis, good goldenrods, and gray headed coneflower remain to be collected throughout the western half of the site. There is also thimbleweed remaining here and there.

More information...
Corlands

Prairie Stewards

Chicago Wilderness Magazine

Harvesting Vermicompost

2008-10-20T10:12:00.012-05:00

Saturday October 18th was the final Master Composter class for 2008.
Larry W Wilson , a University of Illinois Extension Educator that provides training in community leadership and volunteerism, started out the morning. His program brings a better understanding of the Extension mission,some history of the university and the Land Grant system,and as volunteers our connection with and support from the Extension Staff.
As volunteers we get to be the link between our universities reseach findings and bringing that information out to the general public in practical daily life application. He was interesting and had everyone animated and joining the discussion.
I took from this presentation a closer look at what we, as volunteers, have a responsibility to provide. That is accurate, well presented, university provided information so that individuals may select their own course of action in using these science-based facts.

The compost demonstrations were lively and creative. Above is a picture of one teams props. Those little bags actually contain dried brown leaves.

Making the worm bins was the highlight of the day. If you want to see how to build the Worm Bins check out last years post.

Kate Weinans led the afternoon telling about worm anatomy and reproduction, showing how to build a worm bin and then how and when to harvest the vermicompost.

Above is a picture of a mesh bag ( onions or potatoes packaging) which is filled with vegetable and fruit scraps and then buried in a corner of the bin. Worms are drawn inside the bag to find food and easily lifted from the castings. This gets many of the worms out of the bin and out of harms way before sifting or separating begins.

Kate showed how to use a fine screen and large plastic fork. The worms remain on top,the compost (worm castings) are sifted through into a plactic bin. The worms can safely be added to the new bedding and you have a wonderful consistent product for use in potting medium mixes or to make a quality compost tea.

The white spots in these pictures is from the addition of egg shells. Unless very finely ground the shells will remain a long time in the bins. Check out my Non Electric Grinding Method .

I have seen the 10 gallon Roughneck at Target,Lowes and Ace Hardware.

10 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck
23.8"L x 15.6"W x 8.9"H

October GBBD 2008

2008-10-15T19:51:00.016-05:00

It rained off and on all day today here in Chicago,but I was able to take a few pictures to show.
Leaves are beginning to change color as the daylight hours lessen and nights are cooling.

Most plants have just a few blooms left. Like the Chelone/turtlehead,

A few annual coreopsis,

a Ratibiba pinnata here and there,
gallardia (it just keeps on blooming), the hydrangea,which normally have very yellow leaves by now will continue with a presence all winter long,

and a look at the leaf strewn hobbit garden.

Check out May Dreams Garden for a list of other October Bloom Day participants.

A Parking Lot Landscape.

2008-10-13T21:46:00.010-05:00

Parking lot landscapes are increasingly more interesting. The pictures shown here are of the main entrance parking lot at Chicago Highschool For Agricultural Sciences .

Portulaca
A low growing drought tolerant sun/heat loving annual that self seeds and grows on quickly

with an abundantly long summer bloom.

Goldenrod and purple asters add color and insect activity for a fall display.

Tall grass, short grass, drying seedheads and blooming flowers.

Impressive for a group of students,yes?

Master Composter Class 2008

2008-10-12T20:36:00.018-05:00

Even many non gardeners want to know more about disposing of food and yard waste responsibly. So each October the University of Illinois Agricultural Extension Service holds classes at the Chicago Highschool For Agricultural Sciences.

Last year I took the class as part of the continuing education requirement for being a Master Gardener Volunteer. This year I am helping out.

For some of the classmates composting is new and they have never tried to make compost or keep a worm bin. Others have composted for years but would like to become volunteers taking this knowledge to school children and urban residents through city programs. They share an enthusiasm that is inspiring.

Bill Shores leads the discussion about the science of composting and shows everyone how to use worm castings with coir to mix up a batch of potting soil.
5 parts compost and 4 parts coir (or peat) with one part perlite, then everyone plants a few seeds for winter greens.

The afternoon is dedicated to hands on compost making at the compost demonstration station, located on the campus of the Chicago Highschool for Agricultural Sciences

The types of bins are examined.

Tools and materials are gathered.

Some greens, rich in nitrogen. Fruit and vegetable prep scraps,coffee grounds, gleanings from the harvest cleanup.
with brown carbons stock piled for todays class. All must be clipped into small pieces,

then layered in the bins.

Water is added with each addition, making sure the browns are good and wet. Any excess will drain away through the wire sides. Easier to hose as you go than try to moisten the pile afterwards.

Finally most of the bins were full and looking good. The class did an excelllent job. Next week they can monitor progress before making their own worm bins.

Everyone pitched in to sift last seasons completed compost so that each classmate was able to take home a bucket full for their hard work.

The Best Laid Plans

2008-10-06T18:15:00.007-05:00

Garfield Conservatory Front Garden

I like to read about gardening and all that has to do with our interactions within the natural world.
Many have said that our gardens have little to do with nature,that we are in control. It seems a harmless enough conceit.
Until a storm or drought reminds us that forces beyond our control still rage.
That weeds and insects and disease remain after all our onslaught.

We are learning. The garden can be a refuge for both the gardener and the wildlife drawn to cohabitation in our outdoor spaces.

Today on No Impact Man there is a statement about achieving happiness...
"Happiness research is showing that it is not material possessions but relationships, community, meaning, a sense of purpose, and use of one's most valued skills that make us happy."

This may be the key, the benefit, the attraction of gardening.

To A Mouse

Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie,
O, what panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murd'ring pattle!

I'm truly sorry Man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,
An' justifies that ill opinion,
Which makes thee startle,
At me, thy poor, earth-born companion,
An' fellow-mortal!

I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;
What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!
A daimen-icker in a thrave 'S a sma' request:
I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,
An' never miss't!

Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!
It's silly wa's the win's are strewin!
An' naething, now, to big a new ane,
O' foggage green! An' bleak December's winds ensuin,
Baith snell an' keen!

Thou saw the fields laid bare an' wast,
An' weary Winter comin fast,
An' cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel coulter past
Out thro' thy cell.

That wee-bit heap o' leaves an' stibble,
Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!
Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble,
But house or hald.
To thole the Winter's sleety dribble,
An' cranreuch cauld!

But Mousie, thou are no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

Still, thou art blest, compar'd wi' me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But Och! I backward cast my e'e,
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!

by Robert Burns

Great Pictures of a County Fair

2008-09-25T17:18:00.005-05:00

County Fair

Fish eye media has some great pictures of the Fair at the above link. Children with the animals,Master preservers, stages. Someone did a such a good job of capturing the fun.

Thanks for passing it along Harmony.

Chicago is a great big city full of millions of people that is known for its neighborhoods and sense of community. From the Mayor and the awesome park district (which includes the conservatories and six nature centers) to business leaders and the University Agricultural extension service, there is enormous support for the many community gardens, network of green groups , and each year more individuals, growing food and utilizing the outdoor areas of our homes and the city. All year round there are learning opportunities through lectures and actual hands on experience.

Today a group of volunteers helped unload and group a truckload of shrubs and perennials that will be given away on Saturday to the 93 community gardens that have registered to receive plants. All the plants are free, donated by local nurseries, the Chicago Botanic Garden and others.

There is more to the green movement than lakefront parks and median planters.

Green Net Chicago

School Gardens

Greencorps Chicago

Master Food Preservers

Chicago Green Roofs

Would You Hold A Giant Hissing Roach?

2008-09-21T12:42:00.015-05:00

Madagascar Giant hissing cockroach

Giant African Millipede

At the Garfield Park Conservatory County Fair I not only held a giant roach, I let a great big millipede crawl around on my hand . When I arrived at the University of Illinois Extension service Master Gardener's tent,Elizabeth Bruhns ask if I would be comfortable working the insect petting zoo. It was fun. There were times when the kids were two deep all along the the table. Parents were standing by or joining in depending on their own insect issues. A hand washing station was situated right next to the Extension tent so than everyone could wash up after handling either the insects or checking out the worm bins.

Speaking of worm bins...

A volunteer demonstrates adding vegetable matter to the big wooden worm bins out in the organic vegetable garden.

A table with examples of other home waste that can be added to the worm bins.

The earth box vegetables are still going strong.

Fall crops in the square foot bed. Look how they marked off the squares with florist tape.

The demonstration garden beds are made from reused and found items like wooded pallets, cinder blocks or old bricks.

The organic demonstration garden is part of the outside gardens surrounding the Garfield Park Conservatory. After entering the main building there are exits into the outdoor gardens from several of the rooms. While open to the public every day the demonstration garden volunteers and conservatory staff are in the garden on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to answer questions and for hands on work with visitors. Starting in spring with how to prepare planting areas, through summer growing and harvest into winter garden preparation. School groups and daycare centers often arrange field trips for Tuesdays but it is not just children. Many adults are interested in learning about urban organic growing.

Demonstration Garden

8th ANNUAL COUNTY HARVEST FAIR at Garfield Conservatory

2008-09-17T14:37:00.010-05:00

Looking for a fun activity this weekend ? In the Chicago IL area? Come join us at the fair.
( Garfield Park Conservatory Directions )
I will be a volunteer with the University of Illinois agricultural extension for the afternoon.
The following is from the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance newsletter detailing activities and entertainment...

The 8th annual County Fair is this Saturday September 20th at the Garfield Park Conservatory!
Saturday September 20th, 11am-5pm, throughout the Conservatory Campus, free entrance (some activities have a nominal fee)
County Fair is an annual event celebrating both the annual harvest and healthy communities. It’s family-oriented, with programs and activities for all ages. Set in an historic urban setting on Chicago’s West Side, visitors to the fair will discover agricultural traditions, see the best in urban gardening, and enjoy horticultural exhibits and demonstrations. Children’s activities, a petting zoo and harvest competitions highlight the connections between plants, food and American heritage. Food and live music make this a unique event for the entire family.

Children’s Activities

Some of this year’s down-home fun for kids includes:
a petting zoo and pony rides,
corn-husk doll making,
a story tent with the Chicago Public Library,
and lots of other family fun!

Harvest Competition

If you or someone you know is interested in entering our 2008 Harvest Competition, please note that pre-registration has closed, but it’s not too late to enter! To participate in the competition, bring your entries to the Garfield Market Place on the north end of the Conservatory campus between 9am and 10am the morning of the fair. There are nine competition categories this year, including special fruits and vegetables, single or arranged fresh flowers, and creative arrangements of sunflowers – the One Seed Chicago seed of the year. Entering the competition is free. Please visit our website to learn all the details: www.garfieldconservatory.org/county_fair.htm.
All Harvest Competition entries will be on display in the Garfield Market Place until 4pm for all County Fair visitors to enjoy. Make sure to stop by to marvel at all the entries and to see who won!

Garden Demonstrations
Don’t miss all of the exciting demonstrations being held throughout the Conservatory campus during County Fair, such as composting demonstrations, food preservation demonstrations, and beekeeping demonstrations.

Recipe Swap
Jot down your favorite recipe and bring it along to this year’s County Fair. We’ll have a Recipe Swap tent where you’ll be able to share your favorites and pick up some new ideas as well. The staff of Garfield Park and Lincoln Park Conservatories have even contributed their own favorite recipes to share with you, so stop by and see what we eat!

Farmer’s Market
Enjoy a selective supply of produce, honey, soap and much more available for purchase.

Garden Tool Sharpening
Bring your garden tools along to get a tune-up!

Live Music
This year, two separate music and performance stages will highlight the excitement of youth and the power of tradition.

American Traditional Music Stage
Musical performances representing traditional genres of the past will be tucked in the shade of the Garfield Park Conservatory’s front yard. Jug bands, jam sessions, and the old timey stylings of Chicago folk artist Mark Dvorak are all part of this musical area and its offerings. Located on the northwest side of the Conservatory’s city block.

Jug Band Workshop by The Hump Night Thumpers
11am-11:45am
Join the Hump Night Thumpers in a 30-minute workshop and jam where you can pick up an instrument and play along! The Thumpers will introduce audiences to the unique instruments of this genre. Jugs and washboards will be provided!

Jug Band Performance by The Hump Night Thumpers
12pm-12:45pm
The classic jug band era was shaped by urban black musicians in Southern river cities like Memphis and Louisville. Former vaudeville entertainers and string band musicians took to the streets with inexpensive and homemade instruments, mixed Dixieland jazz and ragtime with the blues, and created a genre that some have called "the world's happiest music." The Hump Night Thumpers meet weekly at the Old Town School of Folk Music to learn songs, build instruments, and study the history of the genre. Each member plays a variety of instruments, including guitar, ukulele, washtub bass, washboard, kazoo, spoons, and, of course, jugs of all shapes and sizes. Performances might include traditional blues, jazz, or ragtime songs, newer songs written during the '60's, or original songs written by the group, but are always upbeat and guaranteed to inspire curiosity among the audience.
Folk Club Jam led by Mark Dvorak
1pm-1:45pm
Bring your instrument and join local folk hero Mark Dvorak as he leads a classic string-band jam. Don’t play? No problem - foot tappers needed.

Solo Performance by Mark Dvorak
2pm-2:45pm
“...one of a vanishing breed... Although all of us benefit from the tradition, Dvorak is one of the few who keep it alive. Listen. Join in.” Utah Phillips
As a musician, storyteller, poet and teacher, Mark Dvorak has carved his place firmly in the Chicago and national folk scene. The Woodstock Folk Festival honored Mark with their 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award and his song The Saddest Town in Illinois recently reached #10 on Neil Young’s Living With War song list. Mark’s 11th CD, What a Wonderful World, is a compilation assembled from over 16 years in the recording studio. Come hear a local treasure that the Chicago Tribune called, simply “Masterful.”

Blues Performance by Robin Watson
3pm-3:45pm
East Garfield resident, Robin Watson, is an awesome entertainer whose song styling and rich quality have been compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, and Nina Simone wrapped into one. The combination of her musical talent, engaging entertainment skills, and fun-filled interaction with her audiences ranks her among the best. She has given soul-stirring performances at many Chicago hotspots, including a year-long run at the historical Como Inn, 5 years at Harrah’s and Empress Casinos, Pheasant Run Resort, as well as stellar performances in Brazil, South America, the Caribbean, the United Nations, and the Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter.

Performance by The Oak Park Farmer’s Market Band
4pm-4:45pm
Old-time music is a form of North American folk music, with roots in the folk traditions of many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland and Africa. This musical form developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dance, buck dance and clogging. Picked fresh from the Oak Park Farmer Market, this traditional string band has been entertaining audiences throughout the city for years. Banjo, guitar, fiddle and maybe even a tin whistle will fill the air.

Contemporary Youth Music Stage
Music and performance acts, both by youth and for youth will occur at the Youth Stage throughout the day. Located on the south side of the Conservatory’s city block.

Performance by Nice Peter
11:15am-11:45am
Augmented by serious musicianship, Nice Peter's hysterical original acoustic pop songs are a terrific change of pace for any modern music lover. Trained at the Improv Olympic in Chicago, lead singer Pete Shukoff brings his improv comedy experience to the rock and roll stage for all ages and performs a special interactive set for kids. Audiences across the US and UK are laughing, dancing, and raving about this one-of-a-kind band with a truly unique live experience.

Performance by Tha Pope
12:15pm-12:45pm
Tha Pope "Chicago Youngest Celebrity" has captivated and generated the largest following of young people from ages 3-20 in Chicago history. With his charming personality, stylish swagger and phenomenal dance & Rap abilities, Tha Pope has been compared to the likes of Usher, Chris Brown and other great entertainers and performers. Due to the highly publicized gun violence and deaths with young teens, Tha Pope has teamed up with WPWX Power 92 morning personality Tray The Chocolate Jock in Chicago along with local politicians, business men and women to form the “Stop The Violence Tour” which visits Chicago Public and Charter schools to speak to the kids in regards to curtailing gun and gang violence. After the discussions then Tha Pope takes the stage for his high energy performance.

Performance by Kids Works
1:15pm-2pm
Andrea Salloum from Kidworks Touring Theatre Co. will lead a group of 25 participants, ages 4 and up, on a journey through the continent of Africa. Children will learn to speak Swahili, dress in headwraps, play games from the Congo, learn the Ku-Ku dance and the Limbo, play the Djembe Drum and act out an African Wedding Ceremony.

Performance by the Julian Dancing Dolls
2:30pm-3pm
Straight from Percy L. Julian High School on the South Side of Chicago, the Julian Dancing Dolls are an energetic bunch of young ladies who perform some of the most cutting-edge dance moves. Don’t miss them strut their stuff on our Contemporary Youth Music Stage!

Performance by the Charlie Snyder Quartet
3:30pm-4:30pm
Classic jazz played straight up by four of Chicago’s most talented high school musicians. The Charlie Snyder Quartet includes students from the Merit School of Music and Northwestern University Jazz Camp. Come hear the next generation of American jazz.

Garfield Conservatory Directions

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day September 15 2008

2008-09-15T14:29:00.016-05:00

Considering how much rain fell from Friday evening untill mid-day Sunday (without respite),the garden does not look completely wasted. Just a bit bedraggled.

Tall asters and many the grass in bloom held up very well.

Panicum,both species and cultivar stood straight after drying over night.

Gillardia looks splayed but still blooming.

A single stem of goldenrod is beginning to open.

The asters were covered with bees flying after several days under cover during heavy rain. Unlike honey bees they store little food and suffer if weather does not permit collection for a time.

Logs have pretty fungal decorations .

The flooded back garden is drying out, no standing pools of water left.

The hobbit garden hosta blooms draw both bees and humming birds and follow the dry creekbed like a wave.

A lone blue gentian.

I still have not moved those turtlehead.

Check May Dreams Gardens GBBD post for a list of blog bloomers.

Aronia arbutifolia - Red Chokeberry...update on cuttings from last year.

2008-09-09T13:01:00.007-05:00

In 2007 I took a cutting from an aronia/chokeberry to use in the raingarden.
Last years posting 2007/09/growing-from-seed-taking-cuttings shows that it had rooted well and was growing.
Well I have not planted that cutting yet because I was worried about the rabbits eating it to the ground and keeping it that way. After the stems are thick enough and the shrub mature enough the critters seem to look for other food sources,(unless snow is deep enough to allow access to the tips).

So look what a year brings in growth. That is a 3 foot yardstick to show how tall the aronia has grown. After overwintering in the red folgers coffee can, buried and covered with a wire cage, it was transplanted to a larger container. I sort of wish I had just planted it into the ground and caged last year. Now I must dig a much bigger hole.

Look close and you can even see a few berries that will turn red as the leaves change making a lovely fall display . Several pictures of habit, berries and red foliage if you check the link .

The seedlings of Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis), Echinacea pallida and Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo) were all planted out and growing well, but have not flowered this year. Patience is required when growing from seed.

'Growing Trees From Seed'

2008-09-06T23:14:00.005-05:00

A practical guide to growing native trees,vines and shrubs
by Henry Kock
with Paul Aird,John Ambrose and Gerald Waldren.

This is not a picture book although there are many illustrations. It is a practical guide.

It has plans for obtaining the seed.
One of which is...
"Fruits that squirrels drop to the ground can be picked up if your timing is right. High crowns make it hard to obtain some seed without help."

Reasons to plant seeds...
Preserving stress-tolerant trees and shrubs.
"Our indigenous trees and shrubs are in the early stages of developing a seed bank of mature,stress-tolerant individuals on disturbed sites."

Advise on how to tell when the fruit is ready to collect.
"Fruit maturity is associated with a shift in color. For large seeded species cut a few fruits open (using a good pair of pruning shears) to assure seeds are sound and have not been eaten by weevils. "

Stuff to carry with while seed seeking ...
envelopes and paper bags for dry fruit and seeds
plastic bags for moist seeds and cuttings
a compact umbrella to catch seeds shaken or tossed
pencils and tags
a swiss army knife
pruning shears
a water bottle
fiels notebook
a container to carry everything

Planting strategy...
"Natural soil developes in layers and root systems have evolved to exploit those layers. Mixing the soil disturbs this natural process."
"It is the decomposition process at the soil surface that is important, not the final product."

And many pages of individual species information...
"Clematis flowers are a rich source of nectar and are bee pollinated, the fruits mature in October.
The embryo is not fully developed when the fruit is ripe and natural germination is delayed until the second spring. Treatment requires a 24 hour soak,a 30 day warm moist, then 60 day cold moist stratification."

In the preface Henry Kock states his aim "to pass on knowledge of native woody plants and to inspire the gathering and growing of seeds to help restore and sustain the precious diversity of our natural heritage." He died before the book was finished but with a little help from friends and his wife the book was published.

Thank you Henry Kock.

Henry Kock

picture of a tree planted 18 years ago by Henry Kock

Fireflybooks

Naturalizing your city backyard - A visit with Henry Kock
by Walter Muma
excerpt...
Henry Kock is an Interpretive Horticulturist at the University of Guelph. He transformed his own urban backyard into a woodland with over 100 tree, shrub and herbaceous species along with stumps, logs, a marshy hollow and a brush pile. In this yard, there is abundant life and food with no feeders. The daily foraging of predators prevents possible outbreak of pests.

KOCK Reflections on protecting our trees

excerpt...
All trees have associates and defences. Predators and parasites keep insect pests in check (like gleaner fish on a dolphin) and the defence mechanisms of a tree's immune system protect it from diseases. Biodiversity is necessary for these systems to work well. When a new insect species, like gypsy moth, forest tent caterpillar or fall cankerworm, migrates into an area, it takes a few years before predators and parasites such as birds, mammals and other insects, discover and develop a "taste" for the new organism, and learn to find it frequently. It may take a while, but it always happens. Insects, like animals, are subject to a whole range of viral and bacterial diseases as well and it takes time for these disease organisms to adapt to a new host.

Symphoricarpos...Snowberry

2008-08-28T14:35:00.011-05:00

This is not the best of pictures but it has been raining all day so a better is not possible at the moment. You can see some of why I so like this native north american shrub. Bees love the constant, months long supply of nectar and it produces a late season berry that is winter fodder for some animals.

What you can not tell from the picture is that this shrubby plant does very well in the dry shady conditions under the maple trees, is not picky about soil, and survives the heavy salt spray used to keep the adjoining alley clear each winter.

I like the tiny pink flowers,small round leaves and woodsey look to the habit of snowberry. It never gets taller than the four foot fence and does not need pruning. It may, after a few years, spread rather wide if the soil is kept too moist but is easily shovel pruned. Ours is bordered on one side by an alley and on the other by a mown space so it can only spread sideways. Other shrubs keep it in check easily.

Distribution map at... plants.usda.gov

Good pictures of all seasons at... hort.uconn

The Summer of Bumble Bees

2008-08-17T20:39:00.018-05:00

I had planned to spend the summer stalking bumble bees all over Illinois to take pictures and record on Beespotter at UIUC . That didn't happen. But, our wildlife habitat gardening practices at home are paying off with a bonanza of bees this year,especially bumble bees.

Most of the bumbles look like Bombus fervidus the Golden northern bumble bee
and Bombus impatiens .

Although sitting on a coneflower this bee looks as though it may have been in the Rose of Sharon blooms. Every morning several kinds of bees head for the days newly opening Rose of Sharon blooms then come out looking like they are having trouble flying with all that weight. Some bees land on firm coneflowers or heleopsis and groom themselves before continuing flight.

Click on the pictures to enlarge for a good look at the bees covered in gold flecks. In sunlight the pollen shines like glitter.

A bombus impatiens samples the liatris. We have been seeing these bumbles since very early spring. Cold mornings and easy rain do little to discourage the gathering of pollen and nectar by this bee. It is a favorite of those seeking to find a reliable pollinator.

Bumble bees do well in gardens with a bit of wild space for nests and a garden with many different kinds of flowers spreading blooms over a long season.

I was surprised to see so many bumbles bees with similar markings vary greatly in size. It seems that first born bumble bees fed only by the queen are smaller than later larvae fed by ever increasing numbers of worker bees. More food , bigger bees until maximum size for that bee is reached.

Bombus fervidus is a quick moving bee able to make many landings on many flowers in a short time. It is not picky, landing on many non native as well as native flowers. Its main goal being to collect as much nectar as possible. Late summers warm afternoon sunlight brings out this golden bumble bee.

Susan Harris at Garden Rant and Sustainable Gardening led us to an article in a

Washington Post Newsletter concerning the low numbers of some bumble bees in many areas.

This comes as no surprise. Pesticide use , lack of habitat ,and the spreading of disease when bees are shipped around to aid agricultural pollination, must take a toll. But gardeners can make a difference through their support of public land use policies and garden practices regarding wildlife.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day May 15th 2008

2008-05-14T21:53:00.021-05:00

Welcome!!!
It is time again to journey through garden after garden in search of bloom.
Carol has the list of fellow cyber world travelers at May Dreams Garden .
Join us.

Spirea flowers just beginning to open.

Same with the red osier dogwood. Lots of buds still to unfurl.

The holly must have a payload of nectar.

Salvia ... not quite.

A few LOV...

Ah,here come the aquilegia vulgaris var. flore-pleno

Soon strawberries will follow these pretty little flowers.

Bleeding hearts.

Chive buds.

Bergenia blossoms.

The tulips in the hobbit garden begin to fade.

Pink columbine/aquilegia.

Phlox subulata, a few yellow pansies,

and ajuga...

Check out how much futher along the salvia 'May Night' was last year on the 15th of May. This year there is not a single iris any where near bloom and the camassia have not sent out bloom stems although they have self seeded abundantly.

May 15th 2007

May Flowers In The Hobbit Garden

2008-05-06T16:23:00.009-05:00

Phlox subulata is in bloom now. The flowers cover it completely for a short time then it makes a very nice evergreen ground cover the rest of the year.

So is the ajuga which has wintered well. The silvery foliaged one we started with died out completely. The darker ones must be more hardy through unpredictable extremes.

The green species heuchera we divided last spring is sending out stalks of small bell shaped red flowers that hummers are said to like.

Columbine/Aquilegia has many buds about to open. This red flowered aquilegia has self-seeded throughout the garden. Some have mixed with other colors making a drab pink and white. Usually those are dug up but sometimes in some places they are left alone.

I think this green streaked yellow tulip is very pretty. It grows alone up through a hosta planted long ago. It just appeared there last year but did not bloom,this year it is blooming nicely. I hope it returns.

I love deep red tulips. These are not in the hobbit garden but have been growing and returning for about 6 years. Last year a squirrel dug up a few around the edge. I chased him away and replanted the dug bulbs in another area then covered with mulch. This year several of the replanted ones have grown foliage but only two have flowered. Maybe next year there will be more.

Last year the red tulips were blooming along side the hyacinth which are past prime this year.

Same with the Virginia blue bells which are fading as the bleeding hearts are just begining to form flower buds. The garden seems to change combinations from year to year.

The very busy Queen bumble bee did a fine job of pollination as you can see little cherries forming already. I see her every afternoon making a trip through for supplies from other parts of the garden. Soon other bees should be joining her. Already other flying insects have appeared.

This warm sunny afternoon there was a first for this garden but I could not get to the camera in time for a picture so a link will have to suffice. It was unmistakable though with that orange on the outer part of the wing with the black center.

Milberts Tortoise Shell (Nymphalis milberti)
Nymphalis milberti
caterpillar looks very cool ..
milberts tortoiseshell

More pollen and nectar for the bumble bee Queen

2008-04-27T19:12:00.006-05:00

The flowers on the Nanking cherry are gone so the Queen must look elsewhere for sustenance. In our garden Virginia Bluebells/mertensia are begining to bloom. Perfect shape and good color. Bumbles should like them.

The Illinois wildflower site says ...
The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, and Miner bees; these insects seek nectar and collect pollen. Other visitors of the flowers include hummingbirds, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and Sphinx moths, including hummingbird moths.

Also opening are buds on the young Eastern Redbud . We picked this tree because there is a line of them growing along property of a school nearby that are quite old so we know they will do well here. The nectar and pollen will help the Queen bumble bee store food to feed larvae hatching from her eggs until they mature into worker bees that will take over foraging and feeding duties.

Soon aquilegia/columbine will follow, as will the flowers on Phlox subulata growing in the Hobbit garden.

I'll be watching to see where she lands next.

A CHICAGO BUMBLE BEE IN APRIL

2008-04-21T23:04:00.011-05:00

Well, I knew that it was a bumble bee as it was buzzzing [vibrating flight mucles to warm up body to get airborne at low temperatures]. It was loud enough to hear through the window left open early this morning to catch a spring breeze. In the above picture, if you click to enlarge you will see the pollen grains caught on body hairs.

The first band on the abdomen though partially blocked from view is yellow in all three pictures. There is a black circle on the backside center.

Black fuzzy pile covers the rest of the abdominal bands.
I'm thinking this is an awakened overwintered Queen bombus impatien collecting nectar and pollen until the first worker bees are old enough to take over. Then she will mostly remain in the nest laying eggs. Maybe she spent the winter somewhere here in the garden. I would like to think so.

Check out Beespotter where bumble bee and honey bee sightings in Illinois can be recorded. You enter location, pictures and a guess at species (there are pictures and drawings to help) although an expert will verify and let you know.

BEE PHOTOS AT UIUC

Read...

save garden bumble bees pdf

bumble bees pdf

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day April 15th 2008

2008-04-15T19:54:00.009-05:00

The garden was bare. Then with a few days of sunshine green appeared everywhere. It was like the ground had been holding back as the pressure of growth built. Then presto...all at once foliage burst forth in verdant excess.

Hellebore flowers suddenly bloomed.

Daffodils dangle.

Yellow pansies shine.

Color makes us smile.

The buds of hyacinth,tulip and iris await a turn in the spotlight.

Spring is here...

Check out April gardens around the world at May Dreams Gardens

Garfield Conservatory's 100th Birthday Celebration

2008-04-14T20:31:00.014-05:00

Sunday April 13th 2008 was a day for celebrating 100 years since opening the doors to the Garfield Conservatory in Chicago.

Above is a picture (click on picture to enlarge) of Julia Bachrach co-author of the book 'Inspired By Nature', a history of Garfield Park, The Garfield Conservatory and the surrounding neighborhood. I was able to attend her 30 minute presentation on the history of the Conservatory and its more recent outreach programs that have made Garfield an important member of the local urban green movement.

Seems Garfield Park was initially the largest of the three west side parks Columbus,Humbolt and Garfield (originally known as Central Park), designed by William LeBaron Jenney. The park was opened to the public in 1874. In 1905 Jens Jensen was appointed superintendent of the west park system and made the decision to replace three already crumbling small working green houses with one large display house open to the public. Although fraught with problems it became a sensation drawing visitors from far and wide with its unique Landscape Under Glass.
The book has pictures of both the early days and recent improvements along with plenty of park and west side history. It is a great story well presented.

Here are a few pictures taken of the latest in an ongoing renovation of the conservatory.

Once called the Sweet House it is now Sugar From The Sun,the story of how plants use sunlight to produce the food of life. (click picture to read)

You can see bananas,pineapples,guava,sugarcane,oranges and even cocoa growing throughout.

What a beautiful exhibit that continues the tradition of landscaped spaces under glass.

Not just an attendee but also a Master Gardener volunteer, along with eating birthday cake I helped to distribute 100 free trees and explained planting and care instructions to recipients. Then off on a park wide tree trek to discover trees 100 years or older.

Lead by Jim Dehorn of Chicago Treekeepers we attempted to estimate the age of several trees. First the trees were identified. Then trunk circumference measured at a height of 4.5 ft. This is divided by mathamatical pi, then multiplied by the number of years it takes that particular species of tree's trunk to grow one inch.

1. Work in groups of 3 or more.
2. Determine the species of tree.
3. With a tape measure, find the circumference of the tree (in inches) 4 1/2 feet above the ground.
4. Determine the diameter of your tree.
Formula: Diameter = Circumference divided by 3.14 (pi)
5. Calculate the age of the tree.
Formula: Diameter X Growth Factor

Tree Species-Growth Factor
Red Maple - 4.5
White Oak - 5.0
Silver Maple - 3.0
Red Oak - 4.0
Sugar Maple- 5.0
Pin Oak - 3.0
River Birch- 3.5
Linden or Basswood - 3.0
White Birch - 5.0
American Elm - 4.0
Shagbark Hickory - 7.5
Ironwood - 7.0
Green Ash - 4.0
Cottonwood - 2.0
Black Walnut - 4.5
Dogwood - 7.0
Black Cherry - 5.0
Redbud - 7.0
Aspen - 2.0

How Old Is My Tree (pdf)

Telling A Trees Age (article)

Example...

Green Ash- circumference of trunk at 4 and 1/2 ft above ground = 90 inches

90 divided by 3.14 (pi) = 28.7

28.7 x 4.0 (growth rate) = 114.8

age estimate 114.8 years

OK, so it is only an estimate.
City trees tend to have problems like pollution or disturbance that may slow growth or if without competition for sun and nutrients, grow a bit faster.
But what a fun way to at least get an idea of how old a tree might be.

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY TO CHICAGO"S GARFIELD CONSERVATORY!!!

Organic gardening and a hint of spring

2008-03-28T15:21:00.011-05:00

This is Kirsten Akre from Kilbourn Park . Home of the City of Chicago's only organic-teaching greenhouse. Every year they raise vegetables and other plants for the annual plant sale taking place this year Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday, May 11 at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

I sat in on the organic gardening class for the new group of Chicago Master Gardener interns for a chance to see Kirsten in action. She is a lively enthusiastic instructor.

Covered was the importance of feeding the soil , growing healthy disease and pest resistant plants, soil testing (especially for lead in the Chicago area),organic fertilizers available and how to use them , hosting beneficial insects and accepting some level of pests to keep predators around. A few of the organic pest controls were discussed. Again she stressed making sure we knew what the problem really was and using non toxic methods.

I think a class at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse is in order this spring. To bad I had not seen the discussion about Jeff Gillman's book 'The Truth About Organic Gardening' at In The Garden Online before the class. I would have liked to hear Kirsten's opinion.

Spending the day in a greenhouse on a cold day is always a pleasure. Here are a few pictures of the Spring Show at The Garfield Conservatory part of this year's 100th birthday celebration.

This opening peony seemed so delicate.

The azaleas were so full of blooms and the stock smelled wonderful.

It was hard to return to the cold gray Chicago weather afterwards.

EARTH HOUR 2008

2008-03-28T13:33:00.003-05:00

The city of Chicago is one of many participants in Saturday March 29th's lights out for an hour starting at 8:00 p.m. Use your own local time. Late enough to be dark, early enough to matter.
Prime time for lighting use I'd say.

Earth Hour US

Chicago

excerpt...
Earth Hour Chicago is a partnership with World Wildlife Fund, the City of Chicago, ComEd and Leo Burnett.
To help with coordination, education and participation, we are pleased to have support from the Chicago Steering Committee, which includes:
the City of Chicago, ComEd, BOMA, Chicagoland Chamber, Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus, CCTB, Labor Unions, MPEA, Chicago Public Schools, Greater North Michigan Avenue Association and many others.
Earth Hour is only one step in Chicago's ongoing commitment to be the greenest city in the nation. Chicago has already demonstrated its dedication to fighting climate change through conserving and protecting its natural resources, promoting environmentally friendly lifestyles with residents, and leading by example by incorporating healthy environmental practices into the everyday work of government. Some examples include: promoting bike-friendly practices, building green roofs, conserving water, adding hybrid buses to the city’s fleet and mass transit system, planting trees and building "green" libraries, public schools and police stations.

What to Expect During Earth Hour
We're asking buildings along the downtown skyline to voluntarily shut off the majority of their lights for Earth Hour. In addition, we will encourage key Chicago landmarks, such as the marquee at Wrigley Field, the marquees for Chicago’s theaters, the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier and the businesses on State Street and Michigan Avenue to participate. These icons will capture Chicago's commitment to participating in this worldwide effort. All street lights and lights vital to public safety will remain on. We encourage as many residents and businesses as possible to voluntarily participate, though people should not expect the city to go completely dark.

While one hour may not seem like much considering our excessive use of energy, it is a place to start.
Since street lights will remain on it will not be totally dark but the difference should be awesome if everyone participates. I await with eager anticipation. Will Chicago and other US states participate in numbers rivaling Sydney Australia last year. Maybe not, the media has been half-heartedly covering the event. But Chicagoan's have a way of knowing what is going on in town so I have high hopes.
Now should we turn everything off early then head out to watch the skyline?

Gloria