On the Nature Trail

Walt and I have actually been traveling a little as the trees are turning locally, and the views are fabulous.

 

One of our latest trips was to the Pontotoc Ridge Preserve of the Nature Conservancy in Southern Oklahoma.  This is a fascinating area as it is a mix of tallgrass prairie, crosstimber, some bottomland forests, and even springs and a fascinating cave that has a spring fed creek. 

It was a beautiful day - a little windy, but hey this is Oklahoma - we know wind!

As always, I love the flowers and although we saw some wildlife, it was the flowers that held my interest.
I have a fondness for prairie flowers.....they are exceedingly beautiful..

....and unbelievably delicate.

They have limited amount of resources, to make the maximum show and make their seeds...

....and to attract pollinators.

This year has been particularly trying as the record-setting heat and dry spell, challenged most flowering plants.

But with a little rain (which we had last week), the prairie comes alive with color and flowers.

If that wasn't enough, the Pontotoc has these delicate orchids, that if you're not careful you can step on.

And it is autumn with all the seasonal color.

The color is everywhere but it's hard to pass it up and no enjoy the natural splendor.

Here's out group trekking on Interstate 40 (the I-40 of the Pontotoc Preserve that is!)

Comments

[Shirley Braden]

Lovely, lovely photos. It's easy to overlook those gorgeous flowers and plants in the rush of life, but it's so wonderful when we don't. Glad you got a day to really enjoy them. Thanks so much for sharing these photos with us!

Shirley