Thursday, November 14, 2013

Today's Walk -- A Study in Brown

   The sun came out about 1:30 this afternoon and I dropped everything to get out for a walk. November in Minnesota is a damp and dark month, so when the sun does come out, so do I.
   Gone are the exuberant colors of fall and brown is the color of the day.

The marshy edges of the lakes are accented with cattails. 


I've read that Native Americans lined the babies' cradle boards with the fluff of the mature tail and it served as a kind of diaper.  Way softer than Pampers!


The brown orbs on the goldenrod stems are galls, winter homes for goldenrod gall flies.  The larva will stay in there for a year, eating the plant stem from the inside.  How do they survive a Minnesota winter?  They produce a chemical, their very own antifreeze.

Milkweed, food of the monarch butterflies.


 
Do you see what is at the edge of the lake?  Ice!  Freeze-up is not far behind.

Joining with Our World Tuesday.   http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading my blog.  I enjoy reading your comments.
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28 comments:

  1. NancyNovember 14, 2013 at 4:52 PM

    Looks like it was a beautiful afternoon. I am just not ready for ice!

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  2. BarbNovember 14, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    A great walk along the marsh. We have ice on our ponds, too, but with temps in the 40's this week, I wouldn't trust to step on it. Love seeing the fluff of the milkweed.

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  3. AnonymousNovember 14, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    Each season has its own look - Isn't it great to be able to see and record how different those looks are.
    Wishing it would warm up where I live.
    Cathy

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  4. Sallie (FullTime-Life)November 15, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    Well, there are browns and then there are browns! Yours are so rich and beautiful...I could easily live with them. (Except for knowing about all that white stuff that's coming next.) We still lived in Oregon when I first retired and I remember the joy of being able for the first time to go outside whenever the sun shined in between rainstorms!

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  5. UnknownNovember 16, 2013 at 12:38 AM

    Nice photos!

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  6. Forest Dream WeaverNovember 16, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    It's interesting how people have made use of materials in their immediate environment.....the fluff would be good for padding garments too perhaps. I love the blue reflections on the pond.
    Stay warm!

    Ruby

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  7. JoyfulNovember 18, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    These are some very beautiful pics. I like the interesting bit of information about Native Americans using the fluff for diapering their children. Nature does provide so much of what we need and humans always try to "improve" on it. I'm glad to read on your blog that you've recently retired and that you've been practicing frugality for some time. I look forward to reading more of your blog and future travels.

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  8. Gerald (SK14)November 18, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    The freeze is on its way here too - love the cattails

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  9. colleenNovember 18, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    Such a blue sky! The milkweed makes me want to blow.

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  10. CarverNovember 18, 2013 at 4:34 PM

    Beautiful shots. I love this time of the year.

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  11. sunshineNovember 18, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    Beautiful post and photos. The larve of the gall flies has a simple but very effectively method to survive.

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  12. Yogi♪♪♪November 18, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Thanks for taking us on a walk giving us a nature lesson. Take care!!

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  13. AnonymousNovember 18, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    The golden brown is a lovely contrast to the blue skies. Gorgeous!

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  14. BirgittaNovember 18, 2013 at 11:14 PM

    Love your study in brown! Great info!

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  15. Fun60November 19, 2013 at 2:09 AM

    It does look cold when you see the edge of your lake. Loved your post, it was really interesting. Hope you resolved your downloading problems.

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  16. Reader WilNovember 19, 2013 at 4:48 AM

    Hi Cynthia! How interesting to read that the various plants are so useful. I didn't know that the Native Americans lined the babies' cradle boards with the fluff of the mature tail and that it served as a kind of diaper.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  17. GattinaNovember 19, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    Interesting to learn that Native Americans lined the babies' cradle boards with this fluff. I too go out as soon as the sun shows up, which lately is not often !

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  18. Billy Blue EyesNovember 19, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    Nice walk, your cattails look like Bullrushes, think your plants are similar to ours. Thanks for visiting my blog

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  19. Marisol@TravelingSolematesNovember 19, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    Hi Cynthia, I'm normally sad when the exuberant colors of fall are gone. but I'm delighted to find beauty in brown through your eyes and words. I'm fascinated to learn about those breathing things that thrive in the vegetation and about the practical use of the mature tail by the Native American. Thanks for the wonderful post.

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  20. YoshiNovember 19, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    I see that winter is knocking on the door! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day.

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  21. Jill HarrisonNovember 19, 2013 at 3:49 PM

    thankyou for taking us to your corner of the world. Your November is so different to mine here in Australia. Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by my blog this week. Enjoy the sunshine!

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  22. AlNovember 19, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    Lots to see in a Minnesota November - nice shots!

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  23. Stewart MNovember 20, 2013 at 2:37 AM

    The bare bull-rushes (as I knew them) and bright blue sky speak of a rare winter cold - I used to like days like this in the UK.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  24. CatherineNovember 20, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    Oh how I love all that fascinating information! Thank you Teacher :)

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  25. CarolaNovember 21, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    I especially love the milkweed macro shot!

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  26. KayNovember 23, 2013 at 10:52 PM

    I remember the kids learning about cattails when we took them to the Mitchell Indian Museum during our field trips. This is such fun!

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  27. colleenOctober 7, 2014 at 11:55 AM

    They're all framed in blue sky! I love the milkweed bursting open like it can't contain itself. I feel like that sometimes.

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  28. colleenNovember 3, 2014 at 3:53 AM

    There is beauty and peacefulness in the season. I was right there with you.

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