Nature Center

Daffodil Fingertips

2/14/2025 red R, 2:15-4:30pm Cold sunny afternoonBirds hop and rustle leaves on the groundShiny slick soggy trailsRemaining snow slowly seeps into groundThin coats of ice crunch underfootPuddles captured under iceSweet subtle essences squish up from prairie soilRed shouldered hawk assertively swoops over PrairieThin painted white stripes on fallen logsGreen daffodil fingertips poke reach from under …

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Soft Mossy Rocks

2/1/2025, red R, 10:15-12:15pm Birds chirp and sing on this sunny morningRain and warm temperatures have melted snowSnow-pressed greens flattened to the groundVibrant mosses come alive in the SunTrees whisper softly with the WindSoft mossy rocks line limestone stepsCold creek flows freely, liberated from most iceSun shines the ground, the trails, the hillsForest opens up …

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Power in Stillness

1/25/2025, red L, 3:00-5:40 First warm day after bitter coldSuper-slick, snow-packed melting trailsSmooth frozen footsteps captured in the trailSolid ponds and iced lakesWaterfall sounds muffled underneath the iceLogs and trees sit quietly in the frozen snowTreacherous creek crossingsPrairie scent so sweet under melting snowRobbins pop and rummage through exposed leavesImmense power in stillness below the …

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Brightest Shining Sun

12/21/2024, red R, 10:00-12:00 Cold, crisp morning with brightest shining SunBirds chirping, squirrels pouncingGorgeous warm golden light in cold airSlick, icy rocks and branches.Gentle knocking woodpeckersConstant flow of ice-cold creekFrosty, sparkling moss-coated logsSoft-leafed footsteps, breeze-tinkled branchesWoodpeckers make noise to claim their spotsBrilliant diamond warming SunPenetrates, shines new energy

Iced Crystals

12/7/2024, red L, 10:00-12:00 Sun shines brightlySweet little birds hop and chirp on the groundSoft shiny-leafed trailRemaining leaves gently rustleStill, quiet, sleeping logsNew moss growth in sun-patched spots-Despite the frosty coldStriking green thorny vines amidst all the brownsSlick rocks in icy creeksSuch luscious shades of brown-With creams, oranges chocolates and blacksOrange and red berries decorate …

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Browning Tips of Goldenrod

10/5/2024, red R, 10:00am Soft leaf-covered trailsSounds of gently falling leaves and acorn thunksNewly fallen trees left in Helene’s wakeDew-glistened spider web bowls in the PrairieBrowning tips of goldenrodOranges, roses, browns filling in through the greensBack into the cold, shaded forestSurrounded by cricket and bird soundsCracked black walnut seeds cover trail

Crushed Leaf-Lined Trails

9/18/2024, red L, 2:30-4:30 So dry after many weeks without rainGentle hush leaves in the late summer breezeChipmunk gulps in the distanceChipmunk and mole holes surrounded by dirt at limestone steps and fallen logsOnce creek, now bed of rocks with tiny trickleSweet pitter of leaves falling softly to the floorLots of yellow melting into green …

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Busy Insects

8/20/2024, red L, 1:50-3:50pm Cool lovely late summer daySoft blanket of cricket sounds and breeze Yellows emerging in lower shrubsSun-dappled trailsDoe with fawns gracefully bound through the forestIridescent bug gathers pollen from purple petalsSmall scatterings of fallen leaves, occasional acornCreaking treesRattling, chiming, chirping, buzzing of the PrairieIron weed bursting purplesPrairie vibrates with busy insects, bees …

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Distracted

7/13/2024, red L, 10:45-12:15pm Sound of cricketsUndulating waves of rattling cicadasPrairie Lush and fillingSweet sweet herbal scentsDistracted