Prairie Back Home

Wisconsin native prairies. Home to a diverse array of grasses, flowers, and other small woody shrubs. Giving home to many different kinds of insects, small rodents, and the occasional deer. Here in this prairie, the sound of a sandhill crane echos in the background, they are preparing for their annual migration which will come in the days to follow. The land is preparing for winters first sight of snow as well. Signs of animal and insect life is noticeably scarce. The landscape is filled with tones of tan, grey, and brown. Some may say this land has lost its life, but what I see is a preservation of life, preparing for the harshness of winters conditions to come. This native prairie may be view as a flashback into times past. A glimpse of what this town may have looked like before mans touch. Today many may look upon this natural area and see nothing but weed like plants, but to the native people before us this land holds richness.

 

The prairie I explored in Madison is much different than that of the wooded area in Burlington. The land is dominated by small shrubs, grasses, and the occasional black cherry tree in this native Wisconsin area. In Burlington the wooded habitat is dominated by large hardwood stands. There is little to no grass or small shrubs. The prairie area in Wisconsin is on a rather flat gradient, whereas the forested area sits atop a cliff, giving way to a steep descent below. The area explored in Madison also had no sign of a first winter dusting. The land seems to still be preparing for winters first touch of snow. The last time I visited the wooded area in Burlington there had already been a substantial amount of precipitation.

 

 

 

you may find this area here:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cherokee+Marsh+-+South/@43.1512784,-89.3888776,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x3eb3e1a197a4f3a6!8m2!3d43.1512784!4d-89.3866889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ by hnyoike on December 4, 2018.

 
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