Today, extreme humid heat notwithstanding, we decided to pay a long overdue visit to two nearby reserves, Koogler Wetland /Prairie Reserve, and Siebenthaler Fen (wetlands).  The former we haven’t seen in a year, and there have been many improvements made to both parks by Eagle scouts and volunteers.  The boardwalks have been repaired, extended, and made more accessible.  We encountered a beaver dam, a groundhog, a lizard, fish, large ducks, and lots of loud frogs, all of which is encouraging.  Many beautiful varieties of native wildflowers were in bloom, most notably the spectacular pink clouds of queen-of-the-prairie covering the wetlands at the fen.  There were lovely wild pink roses everywhere, masses of delicate blue forget-me-nots, and so much more.  I’ve divided this into two posts with Koogler first and Siebenthaler second.

My new Ozark sundrops bloomed, the assorted squashes are going bananas 😉 , and all sorts of new flowers are exploding into color.  I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

More flowers!  And a butterfly.  And some apples.

Case in point: it was a hot sunny day one minute, then a wind whipped up, black roiling clouds moved in, and suddenly it was a big thunderstorm.  The flowers are out of focus because they’re blowing in the wind (just like the answer my friend).

It seems we’re now in an extended unseasonably warm, wet spell here in Ohio, and I suspect elsewhere.  It’s like a steamy rainforest.  One minute it’s sweltering in the sun, next minute it’s a violent t-storm.  The whole July 4th weekend was rainy, which rarely happens.  The northeast (NJ, etc.) is issuing heat warnings already.  I heard they had tornado warnings there, which is very unusual.  The climate is definitely changing.

But hort-freak that I am, I can’t be caged or daunted.  A little bit wilted, perhaps.  I’m happy to see my honeybee repopulation plan is working.  The native orange day-lilies are going nuts, as is my native perennial flower garden.  The rose of sharon is covered with lovely lavender flowers, and the trumpet vine is blooming deep red.  The hummers are happy!  I’m transforming the neighbor’s tangle into a botanical landscape.

My evil scheme is working!  I’m determined to leave toxic Ohio a little more natural by the time I leave.  Look out TN, when I am unleashed upon you!

Here are more flowers gone wild in the rain!  These are for Avdi’s birthday; Maybe in a year or two I’ll be giving him the real thing.  Hold that thought.

Note the pale blue flax flowers in the corn.  Earlier in spring I had thrown out a lot of old flaxseed I had in the freezer, expecting birds to eat it and nothing else.  Lo and behold, it all sprouted into a thick mass of flax plants along the corn row, and now they’re all starting to bloom!

Also note my jasmine is starting to flower!

Here are some scenes around our place on this quiet rainy 4th of July, erev Avdi’s birthday to me.  E made her famous parathas, I made an Indian vegetarian curry of homegrown zucchini and basil, local tomatoes, and lots of spices; also a Madrasi yellow split pea dal with potatoes, and basmati.  Note the pink lemonade, with perhaps a little something added for festive-ness, and of course the ubiquitous array of flowers.

LOOK!  I grew these!!  ©™  I am the squash bomb.   😀

Double entendre: while awaiting a suspicious device to be detonated down the street (one more thing to love about Ohio), I photoed this much more peaceful explosion of flowers in our back yards.    Notice whose corn is actually starting to tassel!

Lest I deceive you by my title, we ourselves were merely observing literally busloads of canoers and kayakers launching and paddling down the river at the Narrows.  It was a perfect cool, cloudy day for a hike (or a paddle).  First we visited the injured raptors, including a red-tailed hawk, a screech owl, and a turkey vulture.  Then we photographed some wildflowers along the trails.