SkyWatch Friday: Pewaukee Woodland Sunset

Our recent stretch of sunny days continue to melt into beautiful sunsets! This was taken near the wooded fields of an abandoned farm on Lindsay Road in Pewaukee.

See more SkyWatch Friday photos here.

Trilliums

Trilliums are the perfect "trifecta." - The flowers have three petals and the plant has three leaves.
This pretty pink variety was growing along the edge of Lindsay Road. I experimented with a b&w overlay to show the contrast of the flowering plants against the lush green background.

Heart Rock Tree

During our walk up Lindsay Road the other day we saw a little asphalt heart-shaped rock tucked into the base of this tree.  Sweet!

Talking Turkey

I know these images are more appropriate for Thanksgiving rather than springtime, but it's mating season for the wild turkeys around here now.  While walking Nik the other day, I saw two Toms (above) putting on quite a show for the "ladies" - and the one below appears to have won.  (Sorry - I had to use my cell phone, and so these aren't as crisp as they could have been with a regular camera.)

Hickory Blossom

These amazing "blooms" are often overlooked because most people aren't aware that the hickory tree "leaf fronds" blossom out in such a beautiful manner.

Spring has Sprung!

It's been a chilly season this year in Pewaukee. We've only had one day in the 70's so far & that was way back on April 10th. We did have a lovely, sunny day last Friday (4/29 - the same day as the Royal Wedding!) and during my morning walk, I discovered this pretty little patch of wildflowers blooming on the north side of Lindsay Road. I've noticed them in this same shady spot each spring for the past few years, but have never seen them anywhere else. I have some "feelers" out to my botanist friends, so I hope to discover their official name soon.

Frozen to the Gills

I didn't realize that mushrooms and other fungus could survive freezing conditions, but apparently they can. This zoom view of a toadstool-type fungus growing high up in an oak tree near Lindsay Road shows the textured gills underneath the cap. My guess is that it's not really *growing* anymore, but is suspended in time with the cold weather.

SkyWatch Friday: Treetop Clouds

With the recent time change, it's dark by the time I get home after work during the week - so I can only take late afternoon walks on the weekends. This is a view of the early evening sky behind the tall ash, aspen, and maple trees at Balmer Park.

You can see all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

Google-y Eyes

Ever get the feeling that someone is watching you? Actaea pachypoda, more commonly known as White Baneberries or "Doll's Eyes," grow wild in our area. The medium sized shrub produces tiny white berries which grow on the ends of pretty hot pink or red stalks. They do brighten the woods on a dark & stormy autumn day, but the berries (and the entire plant) are highly poisonous to humans.

The berries really do look like little eyeballs (see close-up above.) However, they contain cardiogenic toxins which can have an immediate sedative affect on human cardiac muscle tissue, and are the most poisonous part of the plant. Ingestion of the berries can lead to cardiac arrest and death. The berries are harmless to birds, the plant's primary seed dispersers.

Meeting Her Match

During our walk on Sunday afternoon, Nik and I passed by George's barn on the corner of Swan & Lindsay roads. His little miniature horse called "Patches" was out, and Nik was more than a little curious, as they had never met before. Nik is familiar with regular horses that we meet on the Ryan Road trails, and gives them a wide path. She's also met George's goats and shows no real interest in them. Patches, however, is very friendly and and more her size. They sniffed noses and Nik's tail wagged happily. As we left to continue on our walk, Nik looked back and did her "Woo-Roo" bark, as if to say good-bye.

Nice Drumsticks!

Not the prettiest bird......but delicious! :-)

This family of turkeys has been wandering around our neighborhood all season. As long as they stay off the nearby game farm, they'll be safe.

SkyWatch Friday: Clouds-a-Brewin'

On the way home from work earlier this week, the clouds seemed to grow to epic proportions at sunset. I had to lighten the foreground a bit so the farm shed would be visible, but the sky really was that opulent color.

See more Skywatch Friday posts here.

SkyWatch Friday: Hazy Days of Summer

A recent sunset over the woods alongside Lindsay Road elicits the warm, lazy, hazy days of summer. We'll enjoy them as long as we can.

Be sure to view all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

Oh, Deer

This sweet itty-bitty baby fawn froze in his tracks right in the middle of Lindsay Road when he saw me approach on my bicycle. I stopped as soon as I saw him to get a photo before he bolted. I waited a bit to see if his mother was any where to be seen, but no such luck.

In our area, because it's rural and the roads are mostly dark and unlit at night, deer hits are common. While the surroundings appear to be peaceful, the image is a bit deceiving because the road behind him (Redford Rd./Hwy F) is actually a busy 4-lane highway that has lots of truck traffic. So, it's possible his mama was a recent victim.

As I rode up to the area where he had been, I looked down into the grassy culvert bordering the road and could see the tall grass rustle over his head as he walked towards the woods. Maybe his mama was waiting for him, hidden in the distance. If not, I wonder if - or how long - he will survive...

The Road Less Traveled

As a partly rural community, Pewaukee offers many side roads off the beaten path. This gravel trail is actually a driveway to a local game farm on Lindsay Road.

* In memory of Susan Campbell, 1955~2009 *

Mail Call

These cute little tin-cut birdies watch over a mail box on Lindsay Road.