Friday, September 26, 2014

Watershed #21 - Bottle Gentiana

While walking a section of the National Ice Age Trail which runs very close to the Gardens at Waters East, there is a place where the Bottle Gentiana can be found.  The area of the plants has been increasing each of the last five years.  Presently the Gentiana stretches along the walking path of the National Ice Age Trail for about eighty-five feet (25 meters).  Not a large area but still enough of an area to make any hiker on the trail happy to find them growing wild - and - so near to the Gardens at Waters East.

an interesting flower


Bottle Gentian has deep blue flowers that never actually open, giving them their bottle-like appearance.  These flowers are pollinated exclusively by bumblebees, which are strong enough to pry open the flowers to gain entry into the inner sanctum.  Once inside, the bumblebees find a rich source of pollen and nectar.  This is an example of a mutual association – the bees benefit by having exclusive access to a bountiful nectar supply, and the plants benefit by attracting “loyal” pollinators that improve the chances for cross pollination.  This characteristic excludes smaller insects, that are less efficient at pollination, from robbing nectar and pollen from the bumblebees.

(this photo is from web)

The plants grow from one – two feet tall with multiple stems emerging from a taproot. The mature flowers look like large buds ranging in length form 1-1/2 inches.  Here near Lake Michigan they bloom from late August into the late September.  This is all part of the important watershed that embraces the Gardens at Waters East.


 as September progresses - darker colors


late September - photo taken this week - flowers dying back

In this very same area of the trail there are three old historic steam engine boilers used as culverts directing water from one side of the path to the other.  This kind of wet area is just what the Bottle Gentian need to survive.  I know the photo is difficult to read, so I have type the information here so you can benefit from another interesting aspect so near the Gardens at Waters East.


The stream, underneath the trail on which you stand, runs through an interesting piece of history.  The bridge that supports the trail is actually an old steam boiler.  These boilers were used in steam engines to create the power needed to move the giant machines.   Specifically, water was held in the boiler and wood or coal would be burned beneath it in order to create steam.  The energy produced by this reaction would create pressure, and when released, it would crank the pistons, which in turn, would move the wheels.   When the engines became obsolete the company would dismantle them for replacement parts.  Many such boilers were used to create an instant immovable pillar to span low drainage points and small streams.  Thus, old railroad boilers were able to create quick bridges with present day antiques.

 old steam engine boiler
used as culvert

the second of three steam engine boilers
with clear water running

Hope you enjoyed a favorite flower.


This is the wet area near the Gentiana
All part of the Watershed for the Gardens at Waters East.
Click on:  Watershed for basic facts and photos. 

NOTE:   Since this Blog is meant to be an accurate journal of the gardens
 and the watershed area surrounding the gardens;
no photos are “staged”, “arranged”, or ”photo-shopped” in anyway.
What is posted – is what it here.  It is what it is.
 

  

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Fungi Dump - fungus among us #4

Since childhood there has always been a fascination with fungi.  Don’t know why – but it is true.  They can be found here in the Gardens at Waters East, but more often are found when walking one of the many trails that are a part of the whole watershed in this area.  Fungi are an interesting life form. They are a parasite on living organisms or feed on dead organic material.  They lack chlorophyll, any true roots, and leaves.  They reproduce by means of spores.


Lacking in any real knowledge or “schooling” about which one is which one, I avoid them all – except to take pictures of a plant form I find fascinating.

This is the fourth in a four part posting.  Pick one or the other that you find interesting, or look over all four postings.  Lots of photos from recent walks in the forest and on the trails.  (Part One was posted on September 21, 2014  //  Part Two was posted on September 22, 2014   //  Part Three was posted on September 23, 2014  )

Here then are more than enough photos (therefore the title - - Fungi Dump).  It is hoped that you might find one or the other of these interesting.  If you know the names – let me know.  Always interested in learning.











NOTE:   Since this Blog is meant to be an accurate journal of the gardens and surroundings;
no photos are “staged”, “arranged”, or ”photo-shopped” in anyway.
What is posted –  is what it is.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden
please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:



Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Fungi Dump - fungus among us #3

Since childhood there has always been a fascination with fungi.  Don’t know why – but it is true.  They can be found here in the Gardens at Waters East, but more often are found when walking one of the many trails that are a part of the whole watershed in this area.  Fungi are an interesting life form. They are a parasite on living organisms or feed on dead organic material.  They lack chlorophyll, any true roots, and leaves.  They reproduce by means of spores.

This is a morel - the only one I have eaten.

This is the third in a four part posting.  Pick one or the other that you find interesting, or look over all four postings.  Lots of photos from recent walks in the forest and on the trails.  (Part One was posted on September 21, 2014  //  Part Two was posted on September 22, 2014 )

Lacking in any real knowledge or “schooling” about which one is which one, I avoid them all – except to take pictures of a plant form I find fascinating.

Here then are more than enough photos (therefore the title - - Fungi Dump).  It is hoped that you might find one or the other of these interesting.  If you know the names – let me know.  Always interested in learning.











NOTE:   Since this Blog is meant to be an accurate journal of the gardens and surroundings;
no photos are “staged”, “arranged”, or ”photo-shopped” in anyway.
What is posted –  is what it is.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden
please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:



Monday, September 22, 2014

Fungi Dump - fungus among us #2



Since childhood there has always been a fascination with fungi.  Don’t know why – but it is true.  They can be found here in the Gardens at Waters East, but more often are found when walking one of the many trails that are a part of the whole watershed in this area.  Fungi are an interesting life form. They are a parasite on living organisms or feed on dead organic material.  They lack chlorophyll, any true roots, and leaves.  They reproduce by means of spores.


This is the second in a four-part posting.  Pick one or the other that you find interesting, or look over all four postings.  Lots of photos from recent walks in the forest and on the trails.  (Part One was posted on September 21, 2014)

Lacking in any real knowledge or “schooling” about which one is which one, I avoid them all – except to take pictures of a plant form I find fascinating.

Here then are more than enough photos (therefore the title - - Fungi Dump).  It is hoped that you might find one or the other of these interesting.  If you know the names – let me know.  Always interested in learning.











NOTE:   Since this Blog is meant to be an accurate journal of the gardens and surroundings;
no photos are “staged”, “arranged”, or ”photo-shopped” in anyway.
What is posted –  is what it is.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden
please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:


Sunday, September 21, 2014

Fungi Dump - fungus among us #1


Since childhood there has always been a fascination with fungi.  Don’t know why – but it is true.  They can be found here in the Gardens at Waters East, but more often are found when walking one of the many trails that are a part of the whole watershed in this area.  Fungi are an interesting life form. They are a parasite on living organisms or feed on dead organic material.  They lack chlorophyll, any true roots, and leaves.  They reproduce by means of spores.


Lacking in any real knowledge or “schooling” about which one is which one, I avoid them all – except to take pictures of a plant form I find fascinating.

This is a four part posting.  Pick one or the other that you find interesting, or look over all four postings.  Lots of photos from recent walks in the forest and on the trails.

Here then are more than enough photos (therefore the title - - Fungi Dump).  It is hoped that you might find one or the other of these interesting.  If you know the names – let me know.  Always interested in learning.











NOTE:   Since this Blog is meant to be an accurate journal of the gardens and surroundings;
no photos are “staged”, “arranged”, or ”photo-shopped” in anyway.
What is posted –  is what it is.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden
please do that through this Blog site or with an email to: