It turns out a broken ankle really cramps my style. Despite that, I managed to get out into the prairie a few times this week. While I’m pretty slow, spring is progressing at lightning speed.
Green grass is spurting up through last year’s thatch, flowers are erupting here and there, and most grassland breeding birds have returned, filling the air with song. I paused a few minutes to watch some mound building ants this week, and their frenetic activity matched the crazy speed of the prairie all around them, as both plants and animals seem to be rushing to make up for lost time after an extra long winter. Last night, a big spring thunderstorm passed through, bringing much needed moisture, and adding even more wild energy to the landscape.
Here are a few photos I managed to get this week. If you haven’t already, get out and visit a prairie near you. Things are HAPPENING!!
A very active colony of mound building ants in recently burned prairie.
Ants rapidly coming and going from of many tunnel openings into the colony.
Rain drops on spiderwort leaves in my backyard prairie garden this morning.