Archive for Scott MoellerPage 2
Coneflower Prairie Walk
About 45 people turned out for an absolutely perfect evening to walk the Coneflower Prairie at Linnaeus Arboretum on July 23rd. Thanks for coming out everyone. I hope to upload several prairie plant photos soon.
Butterfly populations at historic lows
Monarch Butterfly on goldenrod flower If you’ve seen a Monarch butterfly recently, (or any butterfly, for that matter) consider yourself lucky. As gardeners, wildlife-watchers and insect-lovers can all attest, there has been a considerable shortage of the graceful creatures in our area so far this summer. The common yellow sulfurs aren’t so common, and the […]
Don’t get burned by wild parsnip
Although it appears harmless this wild parsnip, combined with sunlight, can cause tremendous skin damage to its unsuspecting victims. Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) grows wild – often in road ditches and abandoned areas – and is a member of the carrot family, closely related to the cultivated parsnips you might grow in your garden. It […]
Pasqueflowers in bloom (finally)
Pasqueflowers in bloom Prairie wildflower season has officially begun. Pasqueflower (Anemone patens) is the earliest blooming flower on the prairie. These were just photographed at Kasota Prairie today, and the pasqueflowers near the rock outcrop prairie overlook site in the Arboretum will soon be following suit. The name means “Easter flower” and these plants usually […]
Webster speaks on “Psychology of Evil”
Dr. Russ Webster gave the lecture at the most recent Soup and Sandwich Seminar event at the Arboretum. The topic was “The Psychology of Evil”. Dr. Webster is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Psychological Science Department at Gustavus. His research includes such topics as prejudice and discrimination, “magical thinking” (superstition, fantasy and other emotional […]
First Day of Spring
No signs of spring in the Arboretum yet. But don’t worry… it’s coming.
Grisly bird mystery
owl and jay locked in a grisly mystery This is a photo taken by Art Straub near Henderson in mid March of this year. It is a red phase eastern screech owl and a blue jay found dead together in the snow. Art said that when the photo was taken, the bodies were still warm, […]
Make your own maple syrup — feel like a pioneer
In an age of grocery stores, dancing celebrities and robotic floor sweepers, we can sometimes feel pretty far removed from our pioneer ancestors. That’s when it’s nice to be able to do something as rugged and self-sufficient as turning tree sap into food. Yes, you too can be like the native people and […]
Groundhogs Set to Prognosticate!
Groundhogs (or Woodchucks as they are often called) are a strictly North American species. Having entered the doldrums of winter, it is now, more than ever, that we need a holiday to bolster our spirits. Thank goodness Groundhog’s Day is nearly here! Unfortunately, Groundhog’s Day is not nearly as prominent of a holiday as one […]
Cicada-killer wasps
Most gardeners have had the occasional encounter with a wasp. Whether it’s a confrontation with a paper wasp or an unfortunate misunderstanding with a hornet, most of us are personally familiar with the havoc and anxiety that a wasp can create. Then there are the cicada-killer wasps. When it comes to panic-inducing capabilities, the cicada-killer […]