Spring Woodland Wildflower Wonders

Wild Blue Phlox

Wild Columbine

I think most of us look forward to spring after a cold, dark, and snowy winter. Even though our “real” winter weather only lasted for a couple of months this year, we had a wide variety of precipitation forms packed into that time period. I was happy that when the snow and ice started to melt, spring seemed to be on its way.

Snow Trillium

With spring comes a time of rebirth, regeneration, and rejuvenation. In addition to the grass greening up, trees blooming and budding, and some feathered friends returning, I enjoy taking hikes in the woods to view spring woodland wildflowers. This spring at least one of my two daughters, along with our two dogs, took a weekly woodland hike. While my daughters and dogs walked, I spent the time crouched on the ground—or even lying on the ground when it wasn’t too wet—getting up-close and personal and snapping pictures of wildflowers. From the first Snowy Trilliums to the Wild Columbines currently blooming, I took dozens—actually hundreds--of pictures. The children and dogs would wait for me to catch up, wondering what had taken me so long.

Smooth Yellow Violet

Hepatica

One day we even got caught in a thunderstorm. What started out as a few sprinkles turned into a drenching downpour. As I climbed the steep, muddy, and slippery hill to the final part of the trail, where my daughters and dogs were waiting, my older daughter’s eyes widened in surprise at my appearance. Apparently, I looked a little rough around the edges, with a crazy look in my eyes, raindrops dripping off the edge of my nose, my wild hair sticking out from my hooded sweatshirt, drenched to the bone, and my clothes totally splattered with mud, especially the knees of my soaked sweats, that were smeared with mud.

I have to say, the Dutchman’s Breeches photos I took that day were pretty neat, despite the challenge of trying to keep my lens from fogging up or getting wet, not to mention getting myself too wet. I think I failed in that respect, but it was well worth it. The girls, dogs, and I all had a great time, even if my car smelled of wet dog for the drive home and probably a few days after.

Dutchman's Breeches

Virginia Bluebells

Some may wonder why I continue to take photos of plants I’ve been photographing for over twenty-five years. The only reason I can find is, I can’t seem to resist! Seriously, hiking in the woods is a peaceful experience for me and helps to relieve stress. When you factor in taking photographs of beautiful plants that only bloom for a short time period, the peaceful feeling increases. From the practical perspective, I use the photos for educational and promotional purposes for the Rachel Raccoon and Sammy Skunk books and Nature Station Mysteries I write, and also use them in my job as Resource Conservationist at the Stark County SWCD.

Wild Geranium

It’s amazing to me how the same flowers I see every year manage to look even more interesting and beautiful every year. Maybe it’s because after all this time, I still notice brand new details or even discover new-to-me wildflower species. Different angles, different lighting, and the novelty of not seeming these lovely plants all the time, make them great photo opportunities, year after year. I like to think my photography skills improve a little over time, so I really need to take time to weed out some of my older pictures.

Even though we don’t often think of Illinois as being the most scenic spot on earth, we do have some beautiful areas and some unique plant species. I use the pictures to try to show others how interesting these pretty wildflowers are.

I hope you enjoy this virtual walk in the woods.

Purple Trillium

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Blood Root

Going Wild for Spring Woodland Wildflowers

Hepatica

It took a long time for spring to arrive this year, but now that it’s here, nature has sprung to life! Although spring woodland wildflower blooms were a little behind schedule this year, it didn’t make them any less beautiful. Some of my favorite spring beauties are Dutchman’s Britches, Jack-in-the-Pulpits, Blood Roots, May Apples, Bluebells, (let’s not forget the actual Spring Beauties) and many others. Not only do I enjoy looking at, identifying, and photographing wildflowers, even though I already have a library of hundreds of wildflower photos, I also love walking in the woods to absorb the peacefulness.

Bluebells

After a busy and stressful day or week, if I spend even a few minutes in the forest, I feel refreshed and destressed. Once the wildflowers have bloomed for the year, there is still much to see…and hear, as well! The forest is teaming not only with plant life but also animal life. We may not see all the critters that live in the forest, but sometimes we can hear them. If you’re good at birding by ear, (which I’m not, but I still like to hear all the different bird calls, even if I don’t always know which bird is making them) you can hear a whole host of feathered friends. You can also listen to mammals, insects, and amphibians. I’m not sure the reptiles we have in our area are very noisy, unless you happen to stumble upon a snake, which may hiss at you. Despite all the animal racket, the forest is a peaceful place to reflect, and hopefully relax. I’m glad I have the opportunity to visit a local wooded area, and I love to take my daughters and dogs along as well. However, to be honest, it’s more relaxing without two dogs dragging me around the hiking trail. I’m sure if I let them off leash to wander at their hearts’ content, they would be ecstatic, but I would have a hard time rounding them up afterwards, and my peacefulness would be shattered.

Spring Beauty

Since spring is the time for many nature holidays and conservation education programs, I’ve enjoyed being out in nature, and I’ve also been able to witness children discover, experience, and observe nature (outside of taking my own daughters to as many state and national parks as possible). One activity for children I’ve used recently is a type of Nature Scavenger Hunt. Not only does this activity teach children about plants, animals, and other natural elements, but it makes them think about, take a closer look at, and listen to the world around them. Hopefully they continue to do so when they leave the event, but in the day and age of computers and other electronic devices, it’s hard to compete. Not everyone is like me—someone who escapes to the woods (and later in the season, the prairie) to escape my phone and computer!

Blood Root

When Nature Calls

Local Author Releases When Nature Calls, the First Book in the Nature Station Mystery Series

Wildflowers, Weeds, Nature, hardly the recipe for Murder, or is it?

When Nature Calls contains all the ingredients of a fresh, all natural, cozy murder mystery!

Naturalist Kristen Matthews is heading up a team of volunteers working to eradicate pesky weeds during a workday at the Nature Station, but when one of the volunteers wanders away from the rest of the group, he ends up eradicated himself. Kristen is concerned for her safety, as well as the Nature Station’s reputation. Digging, she unearths some interesting dirt on her squeaky clean helpers. Is it possible one of them is the killer? Follow Kristen’s lead, as she wades through the wildflowers tracking the murderer, while learning about nature along the way.

Born and raised on a farm in Northwestern Illinois, Jannifer Powelson's interest in writing, conservation, and the natural world was sparked at an early age.   Powelson is also the author of four books in the award winning Rachel Raccoon and Sammy Skunk Series. These educational books use entertaining storylines, colorful and realistic illustrations, and actual photos taken by Powelson. She is employed as a resource conservationist at the Stark County SWCD and resides in Princeton with her family.  Ms. Powelson is currently working on An Unnatural Selection, the second book in the Nature Station Mystery Series.  

When Nature Calls and books in the Rachel Raccoon and Sammy Skunk series may be purchased from several local stores, and online retailers.

* * *

Series: Nature Station Mystery Series
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, LLC (March 12, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1940834066
ISBN-13: 978-1940834061
Price: $11.95

Books available: www.barnesandnoble.com - www.amazon.com - www.progressiverisingphoenix.com select stores and online retail stores

Progressive Rising Phoenix recognizes that the publishing industry has changed. We believe authors have choices in all aspects, including production, of their work. We're a non-traditional publisher; our program is based on choice. Our program is not a fit for every author and every author is not a fit for Phoenix. For this reason we do not solicit authors but do accept submissions.

Progressive Rising Phoenix Press is an innovative publisher founded by authors. We believe a network of authors working together is more effective than working alone.

For author interviews contact Progressive Rising Phoenix Press: info@progressiverisingphoenix.com
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Contact
Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
 info@progressiverisingphoenix.com

 

Take Time to Enjoy the Turkeys!

Oftentimes life gets hectic, and the past couple of weeks were busier than usual. One daughter had the stomach flu for several days and another daughter had a cold, and we were ready for Spring Break, when morning and bedtime routines wouldn't be so rushed. It was the last day of school before break, and my daughter with the cold woke up with a leg ache too. Though she's prone to achy legs, she's never had a leg ache first thing in the morning, so this news was unexpected and unwelcome. I plugged in the heating pad, gave her some medicine, and hoped that she'd soon feel better.

Finally, her ache started to decrease, and I helped her finish getting ready for school but got myself behind in the process. I hurriedly dropped the girls off at school and ran home to eat a quick breakfast before dashing out the door myself, for a program at my older daughter's school. However, our dog decided that she didn't want to stay in our house, where we were having some work done, and the air hammer was disturbing her.  Patches bolted out the back door without a leash, hopped into my car, and would not budge. I carried her to the backdoor and tried to ignore the resulting dog hair and smell clinging to me.

Despite all that, the presentation for my daughter's class went well, though I arrived a few minutes late. I was finally on my way to work and driving along a county road known for its hills and wildlife. I usually look for deer on this road, but on that crazy day, a large, wild turkey scooted across the road in front of my car. Luckily, the awkward looking turkey was amazingly fast on its feet and made it to safety across without any problems.  I started to laugh at the morning's events and relaxed a little. Seeing the wild turkey was a rare treat, despite the surprise of it flitting in front of my moving car.

During this already busy week, another major thing happened; Rachel and Sammy Learn to Conserve was released!  Even though this is the fourth book in the Rachel Raccoon and Sammy Skunk Series, it's still very exciting to have a new book published. This book contains beautiful and realistic illustrations, colorful photographs, and cute animal characters.  Rachel, Sammy, and their classmates will teach children about native plants, trees, recycling, wildlife habitats, energy, soil, and water conservation, and much more! Hopefully after reading this book, readers will appreciate the everyday wonders of nature, such as a glimpse of a turkey trotting across the road, while traveling on one of life's journeys.

Perfect Day to Visit the Prairie

On Saturday, the weather was perfect. The temperature was warm, but not hot, and the sky was sunny and filled with big, puffy clouds. After a hot, dry summer, this nice day was a welcome relief.

As I drove east along Interstate-80 toward Goose Lake Prairie State Park, I realized that 200 years ago, the flat areas along the highway would have been covered with a variety of tall prairie plants, mile after mile, for as far as the eye could see. What an amazing site that would have been!

Driving through the park to the visitor center, I noticed that the Goose Lake Prairie was ablaze with colorful and hardy plants. I parked at the visitor center, where I was scheduled to present a program and read Rachel and Sammy Visit the Prairie. It was tempting to spend the morning hiking through the prairie or hopping on one of the prairie wagon rides that were planned as a part of the annual Prairie Day celebration. I brought several plant specimens featured in this educational children's book that I had collected the day before from our small prairie plot at work and from my backyard prairie. However, looking at specimens indoors is different than seeing the prairie in its entirety.

Most prairie plants are deep-rooted perennials that are adapted to Midwestern weather extremes. Even though many parts of the country have been under drought conditions this summer, the prairie plants survived. But, this summer's dry weather changed the normal tremendous beauty of the prairie. While plants may have survived, they are not as tall as normal, and if the plants flowered, the blooms may not have been as spectacular as usual. But, a true prairie enthusiast appreciates the beauty at any time and knows that the next visit to the prairie will be a different view that may be even prettier than imagined.

The Goose Lake Prairie State Park is comprised of over 2500 acres of original prairie and represents the vegetation that once covered two thirds of Illinois. As a resident of the Prairie State, I think it is important for people to know a little about the prairie. I enjoy presenting educational programs using Rachel Raccoon and Sammy Skunk Books and hope that these books will inspire minds to appreciate and care for nature, even when times are tough, and the beauty is diminished.

I was excited to read the newly revised second edition of Rachel and Sammy Visit the Prairie to a group for the first time. This book, and my two others, Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest and Rachel and Sammy Learn About Trees, have recently been released by Rising Phoenix Press, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to revise these books to improve them. I think the end result for all three books is wonderful, and I look forward to continuing to educate people on nature, using Rachel Raccoon and Sammy Skunk books.