North American Wild Turkey

The devil is in the details. Surely you have heard that saying before. It came to mind when I saw the detail in this image I captured of the North American Wild Turkey. The blues in his head and neck. The grays and whites of his feathers. The browns and blacks of his tail feathers. Two North American Wild Turkeys pecked at the grasses as they trotted through the prairie meadow at the Elk and Bison Prairie in Land Between the Lakes, in southwestern Kentucky last week, as I drove the route to view the Elk and Bison.

The Elk and Bison are the heroes of the meadow there. As I drove the route I decided that the wildflowers growing in the prairie meadow there, and the Turkeys trotting in the short grasses beside the meadow, perhaps they should be the heroes. The yellows and golds of the Goldenrod. The whites of the Queen Anne's Lace. The lavenders of the Thistle. The tans of the tall grasses. Could those things not be heroes too. ENJOY!
Linking to Saturday's Critters

Wildflower Meadow, Early Fall

Come take a walk with me as I meander my way slowly through the wildflower meadow that sits just inside the main entrance to Bernheim. It's still early in Fall, but who knows what we'll find.

Would you look at those beautiful tall grasses, such gorgeous browns and yellows. Don't you just love Fall?

Do you see what I see? It's a flock of Cedar Waxwings. This is a Life List bird for me if you can believe it. Hard to believe, but I've never seen one before. And not only do I see one for the first time, but I also get a photograph.

Now I see why the Cedar Waxwings are hanging out in the wildflower meadow . . . Crab Apple berries. Red, ripe and ready for the feasting.

Would you look at that? It's not only the Cedar Waxwings that are attracted to the Crab Apple berries, but there's a flock of Blue Grosbeaks flitting about too. And this one looks to be a female. Isn't she beautiful?

It appears some of the wildflowers along the edge of the meadow are still hanging on as though they can't quite let go of Summer. They'll figure it out soon enough.

Well, do you see what I see now? A second flock of Blue Grosbeaks. Those Crap Apple berries must be delicious. Did I mention that's a second Life List bird for me today.

We're almost around the circumference of the meadow and look what I see . . . a gorgeous Yellow Sulphur Butterfly flitting about the wildflowers. I need to pause here to mention that this image in particular is my favorite from my walk. The background and colors are so beautiful and the subtle color of the Sulphur is just perfect.

Well, our walk has come to an end, but look what I saw when I turned around for one last glance . . . the tall grasses touched by Fall's cool nights have turned gorgeous browns and golds. And a few more wildflowers whose days are surely numbered are hanging on. Such a beautiful time of year to take a walk around the wildflower meadow. I loved every moment of it. Did you? Have a fabulous weekend. There's to be some rain this weekend, but surely I'll find some sun somewhere. ENJOY!

Grasshopper, Close Up

Last week I took a brief walk through the Prairie at Bernheim. It was a beautiful day but rather windy. The landscapers had cut a wide path through the tall grasses. I encountered a very, very large Grasshopper hanging tight to a stalk of tall grass and no amount of wind was going to dislodge him. So I stopped for a few minutes and took a few photographs. Later I dropped the images in my software so I could get a close up look at it. Do you see the intricate details on his body. It's amazing. I especially like the 'coat of armor' around the back of his neck and his antenna, but look at the size of those wings, not to mention his legs. Amazing. God's creatures truly are amazing. Tonight is slightly cool and feels like a Fall evening on this first day of Autumn. I'm so happy to have cool nights and even a few cooler days. Hope you're having a great weekend. ENJOY!

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!