young prairie is a sizable remnant wet-mesic prairie in the southern kettle moraine area, though it was pretty dry given our general lack of rain the last while in this part of wisconsin.

dthis early, there was little flashy growth to call our attention, but seeing the very beginnings of this year’s prairie grass was a subtle excitement. just the muffled crunch of last year’s vegetation and an open-air walk were enough to make the early trip worthwhile.

this trip also marked our last sna in walworth county!

a.

the birds are building

over strawed thatch

green blades shoot

b.

the cups of lichen children

will forage the strewn bark

living bare to the sun