Cut-leaved teasel is native to Europe. It was introduced to North America possibly as early as the 1700’s. Cut-leaved teasel may have been introduced with other teasel species or accidentally with other plant material from Europe.

Cut-leaved teasel grows as a basal rosette for at least one year then sends up a flowering stalk and dies after flowering. During the rosette stage leaves are oval to oblong and may be quite “hairy.” Cut-leaved teasel blooms from July through September. Flowering plants have large, oblong, opposite, sessile leaves that form cups (the cups may hold water) and are prickly. Stems also are prickly. Teasel’s unique flower head makes the plant easy to identify when it is blooming. Flowers are small and packed into dense oval-shaped heads. The heads are located at the tip of the flower stems. Cut-leaved teasel usually has white flowers. Flowering stems may reach six to seven feet in height. A single teasel plant can produce more than 2,000 seeds. Teasel grows in open sunny habitats, ranging from wet to dry conditions. Cut-leaved teasel sometimes occurs in high quality prairies, savannas, seeps and sedge meadows, though roadsides, dumps and heavily disturbed areas are the most common habitats of teasel.

Teasel has spread rapidly in the last 20 to 30 years. This rapid range expansion probably was aided by construction of the interstate highway system. Teasel has colonized many areas along interstates. The use of teasel in flower arrangements has aided its dispersal, too. Teasel occurs widely in northern and central Illinois. Teasel is an aggressive exotic species that has the capacity to take over prairies and savannas if it is allowed to become established.

A tiny heron, furtive and surpassingly well camouflaged, the Least Bittern is one of the most difficult North American marsh birds to spot.

This year was 2 firsts or me.

1) I heard them

2) I saw one.

I was driving home from working at the Turbines in Dodge County. I was on Highway 49 which goes though part of the refuge. It is a very busy highway.

I saw a small heron type bird on the road. I pulled over and saw this bird.

It is a Least Bittern but I didn’t know that till the Refuge Biologist came.

I called the Refuge Biologist and told him what I have found. He asked if it was still alive. I told him yes and he said he was on his way. He thought he might have to dispatch it (Kill).

When the Biologist got there he examed the bird and decided to release it on another part of the refuge.

It tryed to bite him.

He is now in another part of the refuge. I am hoping he makes it.

I love Sandhill Cranes. They seem so graceful. I enjoy watching them do their mating dance.
Did you know?
The Sandhill Crane does not breed until it is two to seven years old. It can live up to the age of 20. Mated pairs stay together year round, and migrate south as a group with their offspring.
(more…)

These birds are so neat to watch. They will stay in one place, and when they see their prey they dive bomb to get it.

I was on the Auto Tour and was taking pictures of Turtles on a log. When all of a sudden the mommy Merganser flew out of a Wood Duck box, and the next thing I see are her chicks jumping out. It was so funny to watch. There were 13 chicks all together. They were so cute.
A refuge worker was cutting grass I think that is what scared them out.
The picture is not the greatest the lighting sucked. But I had to get the picture.
The Biologist at the refuge asked if I see any broods, if I could take pictures of them so they can see how old they are. These were about 3 days old. They do weekly bird counts on the refuge.

The Hooded Merganser is the second-smallest of the six living species of mergansers.

The Hooded Merganser finds its prey underwater by sight. The merganser can actually change the refractive properties of its eyes to enhance its underwater vision. In addition, the nictating membrane (third eyelid) is very transparent and probably acts to protect the eye during swimming, just like a pair of goggles.

A common swallow of marshes and open fields, the Tree Swallow is a ready inhabitant of nest boxes.

(more…)

I named this post You Can’t See Me because this guy is always hard to find. They blend into the cattails so well.
Hubby was asking me what I was taking a picture of because he couldn’t see it.
They stand so still with their neck and head straight up to the sky.

The American Bittern is a common bird of the marshlands, but is seldom seen. The American Bittern is well camouflaged in its environment of reeds, water, mud, light and reflections. Because of its subtle coloration and striping, the American Bittern seemingly melts into the marshland scene.

(more…)