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| Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) |
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Harry Henderson sent this great picture of a variegated fritillary at Big Hollow. He explained that the variegated's are fairly uncommon for the area and are not seen every year. Also this species is not a resident, as it invades northward from its permanant range in the south each summer.
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| Cirsium pumilum |
I'm glad to report that the Cirsium pumilum population at big hollow is expanding. This year has produced more flowering plants since the restoration began. Presently it is range is limited to two smaller disjunct prairies within the Big Hollow restoration area. If things continue to go well for these thistles this year I should be able to collect a good bit of seed to spread around the main prairie at big hollow. Pollinators should greatly benefit from this population expansion of this native thistle as it has an earlier phenology than the already well establish native Cirsium discolor.
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| A veiw of the upper section of the Main Prairie from the woods. |
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| A view of the lower end of the main prairie. |
The main prairie at big hollow appears to be more flowers than grass at this point in the season. Part of the reason for this abundance of blooms is that that flowering forbs have colonized most of the cleared and restored areas faster than the prairie grasses. In the above photo, the left half of the frame contains a stable grassland that was present before I started the restoration project. The right half of the frame was mostly covered by autumn olive canopy four years ago. This side does indeed contain all the grasses found on the left although at a reduced density. I think that as time goes on the right side will become grassier. But for time being I will enjoy this garish display.
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