I TOOK A WALK TODAY - WILD! flowers

Trout Lily

All along the little spring-fed creek at Prairie Pond Woods and the larger Hickman Run that it flows into, wildflower ephemerals are announcing the season of spring is here. First came the Trout Lilies and Bloodroot. Now the Rue Anemone, Purple Cress and Jacob's Ladder are in bloom. Next, Wild Columbine and Hepatica will cover the rock outcrop that shades the spring creek.

Pennywort

I know there are nature preserves or even private properties where large patches of these wildflowers dazzle the beholder, and I'm glad they exist and are protected.  But I get as excited about my little patches dotting the land here and there, as I do the spectacular ones.  I brim with joy at the first Moneywort (especially since I rescued several from an ATV trail) or the first Cut-leaved Toothwort, even if it is standing solo among the other vegetation. 

Rue Anemone

I'm thrilled because these are WILDflowers...and each holds potential for the spectacular. They are feral. No one planted them. Who knows how old some of these individual perennials may be? These, or their offspring, are the ones that survived logging of the forests. These are the ones that have been quietly cloaking the forest floors for decades and centuries.  

They need nothing from us. No cultivation. No fertilizing. No pampering (except for removing alien species on occasion). They are right where they are supposed to be, needing nothing but the soil, the light, the rain and insects for pollination. When their petaled performances are finished, they will release their seeds or spread out their roots, and the show begins again next spring.

Wild Columbine

My only mission at Prairie Pond Woods is to let them flourish. Let them perform their encores year after year. Let them fill as much space as the space will hold. To simply just let them be.

MORE JULY PHOTOS

July is a beautiful time to visit prairies...especially the one at Prairie Pond Woods!  The summer has been mild, so Cyon and I have been enjoying our morning and evening walks. Below are a few of the wonderful things we encountered along the way...like this box turtle (she leaves them be).

 You are always invited to book a Heart by Nature retreat and take your own Discovery Walks at Prairie Pond Woods.

The Prairie

OSWEGO TEA OR MONARDA
(its actually around the deck)

TALL LARKSPUR

EASTERN TAILED BLUE

WORLED MILKWEED

BUMBLEBEE ON BELLFLOWER

SPIDERS, BEES AND FLIES ON WILD BERGAMOT

WILD BERGAMOT

MILKWEED BUG ON COMMON MILKWEED

SCALY BLAZING STAR.
(for years I had just one plant...now there are eight!)

PARTRIDGE PEA

SPOTTED ST. JOHN'S WORT

The Pond

CALICO PENNANT

BALDFACE HORNET
(not sure why he seemed to be hanging on for dear life at the pond)

SILVER SPOTTED SKIPPER

The Woods

SOME KIND OF STINKHORN?

MUSHROOMS ON FIRST DAY I SAW IT

CLOSE UP

SAME MUSHROOMS ONE TWO DAYS LATER

FIRST WEEK IN JUNE - 2014

As the description states, this blog is a nature journal of when, where and what is happening at the retreat.  In nature, something is always happening!  Just three weeks ago I could see through the woods and last years brown growth on the ground.  Now the trees have leafed out and the ironweed, wingstem, grasses and other herbaceous plants are towering over and filling in any bare spots.  

I've been taking a morning and an evening walk with binocs and my camera each day.  Here are some of the things I encountered this first week in June...captured with the limited camera skills I possess.  One of the exciting things for me was to ID two new plant species for the property.  Again...something is always happening...a seed that has been dormant finally germinates. The wind carries a seed through the air and plants itself in the readied soil.  A bird poops.  However it happens, I'm glad it does.  Enjoy!  And come visit sometime!  

PS...if you received this via email...scroll down to bottom and click on link.)

THE PRAIRIE

Venus's Looking Glass...a first!

Common Milkweed starting to bloom

Long-leaved Bluets Houstonia longifolia (I think)

Sneezeweed...another first for Prairie Pond Woods

Box Turtles were on the move this week!  They lay eggs in June in Ohio.
Had to dodge 3 while mowing the Refresher Course

Blue-winged Warbler sings all day here

Yellow-breasted Chat (annoyingly) sings all day here too!

Prairie Warbler

 THE POND

Painted Skimmer

Comet Darner...I honestly don't know how I got this photo.  I have been trying for years to photograph one.  They are so quick and they NEVER stop flying.  At one point I think I just took a shot out of frustration and was shocked when I scrolled through and saw it.  Not the clearest but considering the challenge I'm happy with it.

Mating Damselflies

THE WOODS

The Creek at the entrance to the property...and Cyon's swimming hole

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Cyon waiting while I try to (unsuccessfully) photograph a Worm-eating Warbler

YES, WE WE DO!

Sometimes people ask me why I don't offer different types of group retreats.  I assume they mean the latest "trending" kinds of women's retreats...crafting, health-focused, beauty-focused, fun-focused, etc.  I say it's because others are already doing those retreats, but few are offering what Heart by Nature has to share.  

Heart by Nature's goal is to give women the opportunity to create a ritual, a tradition, a way to annually check-in with themselves and evaluate their spiritual, personal or creative growth.  Whether it's learning about and understanding the natural world better (several women return each year to the annual Bird Watching as Meditation retreat), or broadening creative skills, or planning a more Spirit-centered year, that is the calling I try to fulfill for others.

Do we engage in creativity?  YES we do!  And all our creative activities reinforce the theme of each retreat.  We've painted bluebird houses, made bird nesting balls, prayer cards, collages from the soul, and more!  This year for the ECOntemplation retreat in June, we'll be making HYPERTUFAS...earthy, messy, and oh, so cool!

Are we health-focused?  YES we are!  Taking a walk in the country air for over an hour several times during the weekend is good for the body & brain.  And the sacred act of eating healthy, organic food in community is good for the soul. 

Are the retreats fun?  Well, what do you think...a bunch of women away from their

responsibilities, talking, finding common ground, laughing, resting and reveling?  Will you be entertained or amused?  No...probably not...except maybe by butterflies, dragonflies, deer, skunks...or Cyon (our prairie dog).   

Are we beauty-focused?  YES, we are!  But these retreats focus on the beauty of the wildflowers, the metallic gold dots on a Monarch chrysalis, the clouds passing over the hills. This kind of deep appreciation becomes part of the true beauty of each woman as it is cultivated from within. 

You can find a list of all the upcoming 2014 retreats HERE.  I hope you'll join us.  Start a Ritual this year.

TOP TEN

The 
Top  Ten

 things to do at
Prairie Pond Woods
April - October

When planning a personal retreat this year, the beauty of these seasonal events might help you choose the perfect month!

 1. During Full Moons, strap on headlamps (if you even need them) and take a walk on the Refresher Course, the path that winds through Prairie Pond Woods' 27-acres.

2.    During the Waning, Waxing or New Moon phase view billions of stars in the dark sky free of light pollution!  Take binoculars to see star clusters and bright planets better.

3.    In early April a half-hour before dusk, sit outside to listen to the mating call of the Woodcock in the fields.  Also watch for his winding, whistling aerial display.

4.    In late April, walk to the pond before dusk to listen to high-decibel Spring Peepers and other amphibians calling. See how long you can sit there! 

5.    In early May, before leaves begin to dress the trees, hike to the Woodland Cathedral. Listen and watch for warblers, tanagers, vireos and more! 

6.    In June, see millions of fireflies flicker in the fields, woods or prairie. It’s a light show!

7.    In July take a favorite book and meander the Refresher Course with dazzling displays of butterflies and butterfly weed. End at the Pine Sanctuary swing and read to your heart’s content in the coolness!

8.    In August, dragonflies at the pond offer hours of entertainment and tranquility.

9. September brings out the photogenic complimentary colors of purple ironweed and yellow goldenrods and sunflowers.  Bring your camera!

9. October is a great month to hike all the property and end at the pond to see the fall colors reflected in the water.  Hiking at The Edge or Shawnee State Park is also recommended during the fall.

THE ART OF SITTING...IN THE WOODS

We call this spot, The Woodland Cathedral because, well, it just feels holy when you sit there. You will undoubtedly hear the crescendo of the Ovenbird song in the spring. Up on the ridge in the tangles of underbrush, a Hooded Warbler faithfully sings his "witcha-witcha-wee-oh" each summer.  A Pileated Woodpecker may also startle the silence with its loud, staccato call, as it swoops through the colored canopy in autumn.

This is a good place to contemplate whether your own voice is being heard in the world...




"Don't try to figure out what other people want from you; figure out what you have to say.  It's the one and only thing you have to offer.  
                       

 -Barbara Kingsolver

 If you prefer not to trek up the hill, another spot at the bottom of the trail awaits. This Adirondack chair sits across from a small patch of newly planted woodland flowers, anchored by one Mountain Laurel bush that I planted several years ago. This summer I planted Virgiania bluebells, Jacob's ladder and wild geraniums. If all goes well, next spring these will flourish alongside Giant Solomon's Seal, Bellwort, Mayapples and Two-flowered Cynthias.  

This is the third and final spot in the woods for reflection, should you come for a Personal Retreat.  There is nothing more relaxing...more quieting...more comforting than being surrounded by such beautiful gifts of creation.  

To find out more about taking a Personal Retreat visit the 
Heart by Nature Retreats Website

THE ART OF SITTING...BY THE POND

Pond -April 2006

Ahh...the pond...of Prairie Pond Woods.  To appreciate this tranquil, yet active, hidden spot, a little history is in order. 

When we first bought the property in April of 2006, the pond was a lovely, albeit strange, shade of turquoise...much like you would see off the coast of Bermuda. You could see straight to the bottom. Nothing lived or grew in it, except thousands of whirly-gig beetles...pretty creepy really. It just had no life.  

The pH was 3.86 due to the shale, clay and sandstone bedrock through which the water seeped up.  So, the following fall we threw agricultural lime into the pond to sweeten the water...and hopefully attract new life...which it did in the form of amphibians, herons, ducks, vegetation, damselflies and dragonflies.

                                                                     

Now, you can relax by the pond in the spring...and you'll probably hear the invigorating chorus of frogs...or you can enjoy watching mist as it rises in the morning hours...or take photos of the myriad of dragon and damselflies species flitting about as they defend their territories.

 

Yep...all those little metallic turquoise lines are damselflies!