signs of Summer

Violet-green swallow

The beserk, crazy, insane last full week of school and the arrival of some of my favorite summer tenants! The Violet-green swallows are moving in, and we are moving out. Last days in our old building and packing to move into our new home in the National Register of Historic Places listed Rapid City High School.

yellow Face

Nuttall's violet

"Thomas Nuttall, born January 5th 1786 in Yorkshire England, was a pioneer in the field of botany and is noted by fellow botanist Charles Sprague Sargent as "one of the most indefatigable and judicious of the botanists who have studied the North American flora. Among his numerous publications are some of the most valuable contributions in the field of North American botany

In 1808, Nuttall emigrated to the United States to study its natural history and explore uncharted lands in search of new and exciting botanical discoveries, including species that had been unknown and unnamed as of that time period . He arrived in Philadelphia and through instruction in natural science from mentors like, plant collector William Bartram and Professor Benjamin Smith Barton, he was able to go on collecting trips sponsored by Barton. Soon afterwards, Nuttall became Barton's assistant and was asked to travel to the great plains of the west to collect for two years."
Arnold Arboretum website

spring on the short grass Prairie

Early morning with the meadowlarks! 

West River Migration Count

Pennington County, SD

a Mask-erade

Art 3-D

plant by Dr. Seuss

plant from b, flower must be from Dr. Seuss!

not Violet

Love these little white violets with the make-up on their faces that favor the south side of my folks house. Volunteers from somewhere living happily with the violet violets.