An August Outing In The Prairie

    This winter I have found it hard to motivate myself to venture outdoors as the polar vortices keep rolling thru our area. Why subject myself to those frigid temperatures when I can be all nice and cozy indoors reading, photoshopping, attempting crocheting, etc.? Then I remember, I had similar thoughts this summer when it was extremely hot out...why go for a nature walk knowing that I hate the blazing sun, extreme heat, and turning into an extremely sweaty mess? However, one day, I bit the bullet and headed out with my camera to a local park that has a small restoration of a prairie. 

At this time of year, the plants are in all different stages.From just starting to open up...

  flowering...

 losing petals...

to seed/fruit.

In no time at all, I am not noticing the discomfort and am 'lost' in all the beauty, a kaleidoscope of color, pattern and form. It was fun to see the same plant in the different stages of flowering, all within a small area.

 The 'flitting' of birds drew my attention to this bush....

with its delicate flowers...

 and ripening fruit.

Insects are going about their business, while I am 'snapping' away with my camera.

 Sometimes they are hard to find amidst all the plants....

and sometimes they aren't.

When looked at closely,the designs of the seed heads can be quite intricate...

 glistening...

simple...

 lacy...

 twisty...

 bumpy/spiky...

 pendulous...

 The flowers' colors and shapes were very eye-catching.

 Either by themselves...

or combined with others...

the beauty created in nature is uplifting.
   Now, I am psyched up to find the 'winter' beauty :-)