110 acres in Newaygo County, Michigan
Located northeast of Newaygo on the corner of Poplar Ave and 56th street, Newaygo Prairie is a great place to visit year round due to the variety of plants that inhabit it. Prickly pear, which blooms in July, is always a sight to see. Over 100 species of prairie plants can be found in the sanctuary, including: foxglove, yellow flax, prairie ragwort, American wild plum and needle grass. Whip-poor-wills in the nearby woods can often be heard singing throughout the prairie in early evening.
This dry sand prairie is a remnant of a complex that once spanned over 19,000 acres in Michigan. Only 4% of Michigan’s original sand prairie is left. Native tall grasses and other fire-adapted species thrive here.
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When Prairie Smoke goes wild...
It was a warm and beautiful day for the prairie.
Next we drove north on M-37 to Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary.
We heard something moving through the bushes, it turned out to be a Snapping Turtle.
That was about it for another wonderful day outdoors.
I found that first place by accident one day, and I've always meant to go back when I had more time. I can see from your post that I do need to do that, and visit Loda Lake as well!
ReplyDeleteNewaygo Prairie is a special place, mostly just a big field no water, but we did see birds! Loda Lake is close to M-37 so it could be a quick stop on the way up north. It is quiet, but does have one house on the lake and a boat launch.
Delete:)
I'm surprised that you still have spring beauties blooming there-we haven't seen them here for over a month now. The bird's foot violet was a good find. I don't think I've ever seen one. I still haven't seen a bladderwort this year either. That was a nice trip-seeing real prarie is getting harder to do all the time.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by the Spring Beauty still blooming too. The Newaygo Prairie is 50 to 60 miles northeast of where I live and inland so maybe that helped but it still seems late.
DeleteWe have found Birdfoot Violet in three different locations recently. The flowers are quite large. And yes more bladderwort. There are cactus, Hoary Puccoon, Sand Cherry, many plants I didn't include. I should add a list to each post of all the wildflowers we see blooming, even if I don't have a picture.
:)
The Prairie Smoke was the best! What a flower and so many of them. I wonder if it's because the abundance of rain we've had. We should have used a quarter to show the large size of those Birdfoot Violets. Strange that we like a place with no water but it is special. Loda Lake is always good, too. Our one-and-only Pink Ladyslipper this year. Thanks for sharing. M :)
ReplyDeleteYes, we did go the right time to see Prairie Smoke and the prairie is special.
DeleteSoon we will see more wild orchids, just wait 'til you hear the whole plan
for the adventure next week!!
:)