Saturday, July 16, 2011

A Closer Look at the Wildflower Meadow!

Just when you think you know everything there is to know about a place, you find something new. That's what I discovered recently at Bernheim. A wildflower meadow just inside the main gate was a total surprise to me. This particular area looked as though very few visitors had frequented here. I stopped to take photos of a small patch of yellow coneflowers, saw what looked like a meadow filled with wildflowers and thought I would take a closer look. I discovered as I walked around one side, that the rangers had mowed a wide path for visitors to walk on. No sooner than I had started, I noticed quite a few Buckeye Butterflies feasting on purple coneflowers.

Just off in the distance I noticed something red which turned out to be a red bridge. Apparently the bridge normally traversed a wetland area. Not today as it was quite dry.

Just on the other side of the bridge sat several birdhouses which for the most part looked abandoned.

As I walked along, I noticed quite a bit of Queen Anne's Lace which was growing in full force . . .

The entire walk around the meadow only took a few minutes. The meadow was teaming with dragonflies, bees, butterflies, all types of coneflowers, several varieties of tall grasses and, of course, plenty of insects. I was glad I had worn my blue jeans or my legs would have been eaten alive with insect bites.

A plaque on the bridge said it was donated by Boy Scout Troop 100 from Mt. Washington, Kentucky, which is a small town only three miles from my house. Hopefully, more visitors will find this meadow and take a walk. I'll have to pass the word along. I hope you enjoyed the journey. And I hope your weekend is going well. ENJOY!

4 comments :

  1. Beautiful images of the wildflower meadow ... just the place where I would feel very much at home.
    I just googled Bernheim ... amazing location. How lucky you are to have this on your doorstep Carol.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 17, 2011

    That is my kind of place to look for photos. You did very well there, too.
    I have only seen a couple buckeyes here. Are they common there?

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great walk - that meadow had a bonanza of flowers. The butterfly is WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah yes, what a wonderful place to walk amongst the flowers. The queen annes lace is coming to life everywhere! Wonderful coneflower/butterfly image! Plenty of birds first thing in the morning too I would imagine.

    ReplyDelete