Eloise Sustains Storm Damage

On Sunday, May 22, 2011 Theodore Wirth Park encompassing the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary received some serious damage to trees and walkways.  You can view some of the damage and learn more here:

http://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/seasonal/stormmay2011.html

Sadly, a large area of North Minneapolis was hit by multiple tornado touchdowns, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and city property.  You can read more about effects of this storm here:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/05/22/minneapolis-storm-folo/

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/05/22/minneapolis-storm-damage-photos/

Our next visit to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden will be delayed while the city recovers, but in the meantime our thoughts are with all the residents of North Minneapolis.

Faces and Figures

A Friendly Croc invites you closer. . .

This Dignified Dragon can't be dangerous. . .

A Tree Knot Chipmunk chatters. . . 

The Moss-Covered Ant Eater daydreams. . .

This Birchbark Mummy only eats leaves. . .

A Grizzled Tree Gorilla watches you pass. . .

This Wooden Buffalo won't bite. . .

A fairly quiet Mandrake root. . .

The Tree Gnome beckons you closer. . .

A Tree Ent will share Autumn musings. . .

Fungi (Mainly Mushrooms and a Little Lichen)

Tiny trooping mushrooms;

A Solitary Mushroom;

An Enchanted Ring of Mushrooms (with Tree Hugger Violets);

Elf Parasols;

Ruffled Lichens;

An Appaloosa Toadstool;

Tiny crocheted lichens;

Omelet, anyone?

Chick Pea Mushrooms, or Peanut Lichens?

Victorian Fan Mushroom;

Mushroom Shelf or, Tree-Bear munching on a Lichen Cookie.

Spring

Oberon, Oberon, rake away the gold,

Rake away the red leaves, roll away the mould,

Rake away the gold leaves, roll away the red,

And wake Will Scarlett from his leafy forest bed.

Selection from A Song of Sherwood by Alfred Noyes

Mmmm, Moss

Wood Sorrel peeks out from its bed of moss,
A Tiny Mushroom joins them at the edge,
Miniature tan unknown "Hobbyhorseheads" gather,
Ferns join the group,
To see the Green-Mitted Goddess admire the moss.

Less Than Six Weeks til Eloise Opens. . . . Here's a Preview of the Wonders You May Find.

Wild Ginger (Canadian Wild Ginger) Arasum canadense L.




Forest of Ferns




A sea of Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta L.) soaking in the autumn sunshine, are located in the Upland Garden in the prairie restoration area.




Sunset and Autumn View