These flowers are the first ones to bloom on our remnant bluff prairies.   They’re tiny – each plant is only about an inch tall.  They’re annuals, and they grow in the hottest, sandiest, steepest places.  The common name is Common Whitlow Grass, even though it’s not a grass – it’s in the Mustard family.  This photo was taken on April 1, 2010.

My cousin Joan and her son Robert came to visit this week.  We had a wonderful time – we took them on long walks to see the farm, Joan and I worked on outside projects, and Mike and Robert did music.

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This is on the south-west facing slope of Indian Grass Point – one of our bluff prairie remnants.  It’s right behind our house, so I can get to it easily, and I’ve been working hard on clearing out the brush and exposing the prairie plants that are growing under it.  The bark of these birches has been girdled, so they should die this year, making the point even more open.  The slope is very steep – I do all the work while on my knees.  The photo was taken in February, 2010.

Spring is officially here now – I’ve found the first wildflower.

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Spring has really sprung now.

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I participated in a day of talks about insects last weekend – Day of Insects in Ames, Iowa – organized by MJ Hatfield and Nathan Brockman.

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There are signs of spring everywhere these days.  Continue reading →

We haven’t seen many animals this winter, but we see lots of tracks and signs that they’re around.

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