Penguins and Bluestem
Beau January 20th, 2008
Awoke to a 3 degree F morning… Brrrrr! We were looking at weather around the world yesterday, and it was warmer in Antarctica than it was here. Probably only in the sun or something :) Always wanted to visit that part of the world. Well, perhaps more like New Zealand, but if you’re that close anyway- why not see a few Penguins in the wild too! Some of those critters might like the pond at Fox Haven now- it’s frozen solid and cold enough for ‘em! A good day for catching up indoors.
During the warm season last year I tried not to cut too many grasses near the border of the pond. As winter approached, I left the tall stalks of Little Bluestem alone as they grew. It provides a beautiful tawny brown color to the landscape, and stays upright all through the cold season. Little Bluestem is a native prairie grass in Missouri, for which I share Pablo’s appreciation where he has written of it before. I like his description of it being a bunchgrass, “which means a bunch of it grows from a single root system.” I like to think it helps prevent erosion along the pond’s edge, and provides a different type of food and cover for birds and such. I too just enjoy having it grow here.
It certainly is a good looking grass in its raggedy way. Beats suburban lawn grass every time.
Yes… I used to take such care of grass to keep it green and lush. Now if I can just get it to keep growing around the trees I’m happy!