Joe-Pye Weed, Eutrochium

Joe-Pye Weed

Eutrochium

 

During the summer wetlands are a great place to find colorful flowers, which is where I found this whimsical Joe-Pye weed. (Mother Nature must have been inspired by Dr. Suess.) This collection of bursting purple flowers was accompanying jewelweeds and cardinal flowers near a roadside culvert. Unfortunately when I photographed this flower I did not take note of the plant's details (stem color, leaf pattern, etc.) to determine its species.

 

Joe-Pye weeds are native to many states in North America and have undergone recent reclassification. Other names for the plant are trumpet weed and sometimes thoroughwort. The legend is that Joe-Pye was a Mohegan Indian healer from western Massachusetts who used this plant (E. purpureum) to treat typhoid fever. However, this folk medicine has not been verified by modern science.

 

Purple floweres of Joe-Pye weed

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_pye_weed

http://www.prairieworksinc.com/2010/11/15/joe-pye-the-name-behind-the-legend/



Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

 

I got lucky with this photo. My little Coolpix Nikon really isn't meant for taking pictures of birds. Birds generally move quickly and fly away when one gets too close. But this little swallow sat on his perch for a long time letting me photograph him (or her).

 

Barn swallows are particularly fun because they live close to humans, preferring man-made structures for shelter. I find them fun to watch when I cut the lawn. They dance and tumble around behind the mower snatching up all the seeds and insects that my mower flings into the air.

 

Despite there fun nature I do worry a bit about these birds residng so close to humans. Their nest and fecal matter can pose a health risk to humans and domestic animals if they are contaminating food or water sources. But one does require special permission to remove swallow nests.

 

Head profile

Looking away

 

Reader's Digest Book of North American Birds (2012)

http://allstateanimalcontrol.com/animals/swallows/swallow_faq.php#9