Glittering Gramas at Maddin Prairie

Published by Lisa Spangler on

A trip report by Lisa Spangler, photos taken November 15, 2022

I always look forward to visiting Maddin Prairie as it’s never the same place twice. This visit was an extra special treat as it was only 26 F and the gramas were glittering with frost. I couldn’t stop taking photos! Even the ragweed looked amazing.

Glittering grammas and frost flowers. (Click on a photo to see it larger.)

All too soon the sun came up and started melting the frost.

Just before sunrise.
The sun peeking through the sideoats.

I ate breakfast and had some coffee to warm up, and then Jason and I decided to hike down to the creek.

The grasses glowed in the morning light.

On our way down to the creek we startled several quail (and they started me!) and deer. We heard some sandhill cranes and saw a few close overhead — wonder if they were heading for the lake in Colorado City?

We had some more interesting finds along the way back, including a snakeskin:

So cool seeing this snakeskin!
We also saw some tracks — maybe a bobcat?

It warmed up to the 50’s and we saw lots of sulfur butterflies a varigated frittilary basking in the sun.

All too soon it was time to hit the road — but not before taking a few last photos:

Check out that cool fungi!

Cane bluestem blowing in the wind.

I’m so glad we got to visit Maddin, and I’m also glad that NPAT protects this special place for generations to come. If you ever have a chance to visit you totally should — it’s never the same place twice!


2 Comments

JoAnn Collins · November 29, 2022 at 9:12 pm

Such a lovely piece, Lisa! I miss seeing you and Jason! Hope you are both well! I heard that you are traveling more now! Enjoy! Hope to see you on a prairie some day soon!

    Lisa Spangler · December 9, 2022 at 12:04 pm

    Thanks so much, JoAnn! Miss you too, hope to see you out on a prairie next year!

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