MJ's Moderation

It's all happening at the zoo...

...I do believe it's true. - Paul Simon.

Our company picnic was held at the Milwaukee County Zoo this summer.  It had been a while since we were there, so I took a few pictures to share.  The peacock (above left) suddenly popped his head out of a wooded display area while we were strolling about.  Some of them are so used to people that they have no fear, and often follow visitors around hoping for a piece of dropped popcorn or other snack.

Zoo personnel have posted signs warning visitors to not feed the animals. Being out of their natural habitat, it's important that their food intake is monitored for their long term health.  However, on this hot day, the brown bear (above right) appeared more interested in basking in the shade than eating.

The Dall sheep (bottom left) were also resting - so still they almost looked plastic. The giraffe (bottom right) was really the only animal we saw eating.  There were three of them outdoors and they took turns, each bowing away gracefully as the next would come up to the hay trough. Such good manners!

Bubblin' Crude

...Not oil, but algae.  The stagnant, warm water of the La Crosse River flowage surrounding Myrick Park is a perfect breeding ground for several types of green algae.  This decaying tree stump is submerged in about 4 feet of water covered with a layer of pond "scum."

Microscopic algae comprise most of the life forms in fresh water, and they are the most productive. This aquatic "green slime" generates approximately 70% of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere!

While algae are a normal and essential part of a healthy river ecosystem, sometimes large masses are considered a kind of pollution. When there is too much phosphorus in the river, the algae proliferate excessively, and thereby place disproportionate pressure on the ecosystem. After algae die they decompose while floating on the surface. Even large clusters do not harm plants or animals (humans included), however, they return little benefit to the river and interfere with some recreation activities.

In extreme cases, the decomposition of the algae causes anoxia, which is an insufficiency of dissolved oxygen in the water. This phenomenon, which is fatal to sensitive species (such as those species of fish that happen to be sportfish), can occur in several areas of the river.

To reduce algae masses, phosphorus levels need to be decreased. Ways to do this include monitoring chemical/fertilizer run-off, conservation of natural plant species on the shore line, and safe boating practices.

Another "Fun Guy"

This dinner-plate sized toadstool mushroom sprouted out of a tree stump along Lindsay Road in Pewaukee  after our recent rainy weather.  It's creamy white with chocolate brown spots. Very pretty and almost delicious looking, except it's probably poisonous, so we'll leave it there.

In my image searches, some possible Latin names that pop up are Agaricus, Lepiota, & Procerus, but I have not yet narrowed down the genus/species of this fungus.  In any event, a beautiful specimen.

Hydrangea

This beautiful blue hydrangea bloom was on a small shrub in front of the Pump House in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  They say if you bury a few copper pennies around the base of the shrub to raise the pH level of the soil, it will alter the flower color to pink or lavender. Apparently this is not true, because today's pennies have only a fraction of real copper in their outer coating, and are mainly zinc inside.

For accurate information on changing the color of your hydrangeas (from blue to pink, or from pink to blue) check this informative link.

It is interesting to note that white or cream-colored hydrangeas cannot be forced to turn any other color.

Tree Hugger

Bill hugs a giant cottonwood tree along the Myrick Park Eco-trails and wetlands preserve in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The park is bordered on the north by the La Crosse River flowage. In recent years, the city has built up wonderful groomed trails that criss-cross the marsh. This old tree is located about halfway through, in a naturally elevated spot. The area is filled with wildlife, including herons, hawks, turtles, frogs, garter snakes, muskrats, and a wide variety of flora. Such a beautiful and peaceful spot.

Milkweed Revisited

I did a series on the Milkweed plant last year on my "Pewaukee Daily Photo" blog, but find them so pretty, that I had to post some new shots. There are several varieties of Milkweed, most with flowers varying in color from white to cream to deep shades of pink. These images were taken along the new Myrick Park Hixon Eco trails in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  These lovely pink flowers will soon form large, crackly, dry pods filled with downy seeds.  The black and orange Monarch butterfly is one of the main pollinators of this flower.