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.

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

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

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:

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!

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!