Weekend Safari

We went hunting for Bison.

On a tall grass restored Prairie in south-central Iowa
we found a herd of 80.

The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is committed to

"restoring and reconstructing tall grass prairie and savanna habitat"

of this region.

We walked on mowed trails through the grasses.

We watched many butterflies nectar on the wild red clover.

The Painted Ladies charmed me.

We read about a restored wet lands just north of the refuge.

At first light we were on the trails.

As the sun rose the fog lifted.

The Campion plant and Spotted Touch-me-nots

reminded me of how beautiful the woods


are in the morning light.

We are approaching Autumn.

The Pelicans are migrating.

This wetland is an important resting place.

Here, as on the open Prairie,
the grasses provide shelter for the birds and insects.
I watched as the Monarchs awoke.
Hundreds slowly began to start their day.
One by one they rose out of the grass and flew across the trail.









When we care for the land, bio-diversity returns.
White thistle provides nourishment for the migrating Monarchs
and for my spirit.

We traveled the state roads.
Serendipity lead us to five ancient Indian mounds.

A Great Spangled Fritillary and an Indian Pipe

watch over these ancient Indian burial grounds.