Wednesday, August 2, 2023

The Ridges

  

As promised in the last posting – I did run back up to Door County to hike the Ridges.

Here is that posting.

 

The Ridges Sanctuary is a 1,600-acre nature preserve and land trust in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. It is listed as a National Natural Landmark, important Bird Area and Wisconsin State Natural Area. It was founded in 1937 and was the first land trustin the state. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



  


Hiking along the sanctuary trails you are walking atop ridges that were built by Lake Michigan’s receding shoreline.  Running parallel to the ridges are water-filled wetlands called swales.

 


 

A very rare plant - Dwarf Lake Iris.

Very seldom seen anywhere except on the East Coast.


Indian Paint Brush


Plant called - Gay Wings


Have no idea of the name for this plant.



Boardwalks allow you to safely cross over swales and give you spectacular long views down the wetlands. Baileys Harbor faces almost directly south allowing winds cooled by the lake to create the ideal conditions for a boreal forest including 11 species of conifers. There are 29 species of orchids, many rare plants, 60 species of birds can be spotted, Hine’s Emerald dragonflies, and so much more.  Check it out on the WEB.

 



I find this plant to be most interesting.










One of many of the variety of orchids here.



Part of this sanctuary includes Baileys Harbor Range Lights, an Interesting navigational system.

 


The incoming ship would line up through the tower window

the light from the inland tower house to be able to be in the right channel. 


This is the walkway between the two towers.



An interesting way to spend a day.  So much to learn.

 

23 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos! Lovely orchids, and nice walkway too. The area seems very intresting.

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    1. It is interesting indeed! I live so close and never realized it was a world heritage site!!

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  2. Se ve precioso y con preciosas flores. Besos.

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    1. I do agree that some of the flowers are especially beautiful, and some are unique.

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  3. Oh, The Ridges! One of my favorite places in the world. It's been years since I've been there, so I need to get back.

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    1. I hadn't been there for a number of years myself so it was great to hike the place again. They have done much to improve the whole setup. A great nature center and as you could see on the photos, a number of well placed walkways. I encourage you to make the trip.

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  4. What a beautiful photographs of this wood and Green área.

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    1. Yes, it is a very special place for nature not seen anywhere else around this area.

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  5. Gracias por compartir tanta belleza.
    Saludos.

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    1. You are most welcome. I do enjoy sharing with all the blog readers the many fascinating plants and beautiful scenes from this area. I take so many photos, could publish a book! jaja

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  6. Eine wunderbare Wanderung. Ich finde die Landschaft mit dem Holzweg sehr schön. Und so viele verschiedene Blumen. Einige kenne ich aus unserem Wald, aber viele Pflanzen sind mir unbekannt. Sehr interessant.
    Gruß
    Anette

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    1. Yes, there are some very interesting plants at the Ridges. I especially am fascinated by the Pitcher Plants. Glad you enjoy seeing all the flowers and paths.

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  7. Take me to the lakes.......Taylor Swift :)

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  8. Amei as dicas. Parabéns pelo site. Aquele abraço!

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  9. Hope you enjoyed your visit today as much as I did mine to your blog.

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  10. Beautiful photos, and an interesting way to navigate!

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    1. It is indeed and interesting area, and it is so close to my gardens. Primitive plants of a number of species.

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  11. I would love visiting this place. I prefer animals to plants, but it seems that we can find a lot of everything here, orchids, rare plants, birds and even lighthouses. A paradise.

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    1. Yes it is an interesting place. I can see why UNESCO designated a World Heritage Site. There are other nature areas very close to this preserve that also have precious plant and animal life. One is a virgin forest never cut over and replanted, just the original trees.

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  12. Beautiful place... Some plants are very similar to Iberians , the photo that you said "Have no idea of the name for this plant." belongs to genera "Prunella", Family Labiatae, the next photo is genera Gentiana. Thi dwarf lake Iris seems like Iberian Iris.
    Thanks for sharing.

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