Pinetree Photo's Nature Discovery Blog

I recently made a stop at the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge  (located in northwestern MN just off Hwy 2-about halfway between Bemidji, MN and Grand Forks, N.D.)  Woodlands, tall grass prairie, and bogs provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. Birds and waterfowl enjoy the lakes and ponds within the refuge. Seven miles of trails provide great hiking and the opportunity for wildlife observation and photography.

Golden Pond with Sunset Lake in background

We chose to hike the 1.5 mile Golden Pond Trail. This trail starts at the visitor center, wanders around Golden Pond and then takes you into hardwood forrest and through restored prairie. The visitor center has a large viewing deck overlooking Golden Pond (full of ducks and a family of trumpeter swans) with Sunset Lake in the background, as seen in the above photo. Below is a photo of the viewing deck shot from the other side of the pond.

Viewing Platform

As the trail leaves Golden Pond you begin to wander under a canopy of hardwoods.

Golden Pond Trail

“This place is getting rather seedy.” I didn’t expect to see a lot of wildflowers blooming at this time of year, but did find a few. I also got an interesting view into the life cycle of plants, and how they assure that they are going to be back next year. Regrettably, several of the species below are non-native plants considered invasive (Queen Anne’s Lace, Bull Thistle, Chicory) and tend to take over an area once established. While pretty, they are not desirable to have around.

Milkweed

Grey-headed Coneflower

Wild Cucumber

What is this??

Bull Thistle

Queen Anne’s Lace

Chicory

For more information on this wonderful gem, please check out their website Rydell National Wildlife Refuge.

~ by Pinetree Photo Nature Discovery on September 27, 2014.

Posted in wildflower, Wildlife Refuge
Tags: bull thistle, chicory, Golden Pond Trail, Grey-headed Coneflower, hiking, milkweed, Queen Anne's Lace, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, Wild Cucumber