PGT Nature Garden

Zebra Swallowtail Laying Eggs

hdomke — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:08:15 +0000

Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus) laying eggs on a Pawpaw leaf.

Today after lunch I went looking for Zebra Swallowtails along Hillers Creek. I found some along Pawpaw path. I did not realize it when I took this photograph, but as you look close you can see that the butterfly has its abdomen curled under because it is laying eggs. Pawpaws are the key plant that these butterflies lay their eggs on.

Coreopsis Hillside

hdomke — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:02:06 +0000

Lanceleaf coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata

This is what the hillside east of our house here at the PGT looked like today at sunrise. Coreopsis everywhere!

Great Spangled Fritillary

hdomke — Sun, 13 May 2012 22:40:24 +0000

Great Spangled Fritillary, Speyeria cybele
The butterflies have found the Lanceleaf coreopsis blooming under the high power line that crosses the PGT. The bright yellow flowers form large swaths over the hill into the Eastern Valley.Great Spangled Fritillaries were the most abundant but I saw several other species.

This is the first butterfly picture I’ve taken this year.

Fun at the PGT Wildflower Walk

Lorna Domke — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:34:10 +0000

About 30 people explored the Prairie Garden Trust this morning on the first Wildflower Walk. Tim Smith, former botanist and current ombudsman at the Conservation Department, led the group through prairie and savanna to Hillers Creek, then past woods and the lotus ponds. While the prairie hasn’t come into peak bloom and the early spring flowers are done, there was still lots to see and learn. And the weather was delightful, too. In the photo, Tim was explaining how a “wolf” tree is formed and provides a clue to what the land looked like as the white oak tree grew its spreading branches.

Foxglove Beardtongue

hdomke — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:06:06 +0000

Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis

Today the field East of the PGT Center is filled today with the white flowers of Foxglove Beardtongue. There must be a million blossoms. I saw big bumble bees getting nectar from it.

Mt. Cuba

hdomke — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:20:32 +0000

Trillium at Mt. Cuba

This week Lorna and I have been exploring one of the best wildflower gardens in North America. It is called Mt. Cuba and it is in Deleware. They are especially well known for their woodland wildflowers such as the trillium shown above. I took that picture this evening.

If you are ever near Philadelphia I encourage you to make the trip to see the garden. It is outstanding!

PGT Birdwalk 2012

hdomke — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:28:30 +0000

Trying to see a Blue Grosbeak

We had perfect weather today for the PGT Spring bird walk. The final count is not in but we identified about 50 different kinds of birds including several colorful warblers. I especially enjoyed seeing the Blue Grosbeak. We found one in the Ash tree right next to the PGT Visitor Center.

Brand’s Phacelia

hdomke — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:12:21 +0000

Brand’s phacelia, Phacelia gilioides
What an ugly name for such an attractive plant!
This small plant is blooming now on the trail through The Savannah.

Grant Elementary Junior Girl Scouts Earn Badge at PGT

Lorna Domke — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:40:29 +0000

Last Sunday 6 junior girl scouts from Grant Elementary School in Columbia earned their Earth Connections badge with a visit to the Prairie Garden Trust. They ventured through the prairie and explored the edges of the lotus pond. They saw a tiny young turtle sitting on lily pad (thanks to one of their leader’s sharp eyes), identified more than 10 trees and lots of other native plants and counted tree rings. They pondered the meaning of cypress knees and found hints of wildlife through deer tracks and trees chewed by beavers. It was a packed two hours.

I hope they return with Beth Pike, who initiated the trip, and their leaders Susan Nagel and Kim Wade to see more flowers in bloom and explore the ancient coral reef in Hillers Creek.

Hillers Creek this morning

hdomke — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:30:31 +0000

Hillers Creek

The newly emerged leaves paint the reflections in the water. I took this picture this morning along Hillers Creek on the north side of The Point. As I took it I could hear the buzzy song of the Worm Eating Warbler on the slopes above me.

This weekend is our Spring bird walk. The birds are back. I hope you can join us!