Iowa Weather Network Archives from 2008 to 2017
Imagine being an early explorer walking through a thick wooded river valley, then up a steep hill and at the top of this hill seeing an endless sea of grasses and flowers un interrupted as far as you could see. This is what the explorers of the early times saw as they crossed the Mississippi …
My favorite prairie remnant continues to offer a look at once was Iowa before the age of farming. In this photo, you are looking at the prairie as an entire plant community. Appreciate how the beautiful grasses and flowers together bring colors and texture. Prairies really are the natural perfect garden, and it continues to …
Walking through the prairie remnant this week continues to revel the true beauty that is concealed within and continues to offer a wonderful view into Iowa’s former landscape. We are going on a month of continuous bloom in this natural, nature-made “garden.” The grasses and forbs (flowers) are just under knee-high now, giving it a summer …
Here we are, saying good bye to yet another spring season and welcoming summer with open arms. Why would I say it’s summer already? Simply because of the first peony blossom! This is my tell tale sign that summer has truly arrived. Here in Iowa, they bloom quite a bit earlier than my hometown of Wisconsin, where they bloom …
Welcome to my “Following the Prairie” article, offering awareness and a look into what Iowa once was. The plants and scenes you are seeing are just a small piece of what was once called a “sea of grasses and flowers” that covered nearly all of Iowa. The photos offering this glimpse are from a prairie …
What a beautiful week to follow the prairie. Three weeks ago, this was black and lifeless after the controlled burn that was done – now it is bursting with beauty. I have seen several types of flowers blooming now that the weather has warmed, including these Lousewort flowers, also called Wood Betony. These are interesting plants …
Last week was quite cool cloudy and wet, and because of this there was a very slow progression in spring growth, up until now. This week, we are turning things around and going to go back to normal – even pushing 80 by weeks end! I expect things will speed up quite drastically this week. Crabapples …
I have been watching the small patch of remnant prairie here in Cumming, Iowa over the past few weeks and it is starting to become full of life! However, before all this new life started, one of the most destructive forces occurred first and that is fire. A prescribed burn was preformed on the prairie …
What a beautiful time of year we have reached here in southern Iowa! Redbuds are in full bloom and grace our cities, towns and country sides with wonderful shades of purplish pink. Serviceberry is another one I have seen blooming. The Magnolias that bloomed about 2 weeks ago are done blooming now. Lilacs and Crab …
We have reached mid-spring splendor here in Southern Iowa, and what a beautiful place to be at this time of year! I hope everyone is taking in the chance to notice in the changing seasons as we have reached one of the most beautiful stages of the year. Here on the south side of the state, about …