been a while. but after a visit with family, me and the kids headed west to this dry mesic prairie remnant just past the terminal moraine in the driftless area (where the last glaciation didn’t touch). mostly situated on a dramatic hill, this prairie was grazed but not plowed, according to the wdnr’s website. lots of native species still inhabiting, a small oak proudly taking up the hill’s crest as its home.

many first time id’s and a few old friends hanging out. first id’s of wood lily, seneca snakeroot, blue-eyed grass, flowering spurge, prairie phlox.

first day that a walk in the sun got uncomfortably hot this year. could have sat on the hilltop all day long.

a.

bright lamp of the hill

bolt upright

in dane cty breeze

b.

above the valley

delicate

puccoon blossom stands