The Meadow

 

The dilapidated barn and chicken coop, 2018

When the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation recently considered its options for the renovation of Halibut Point State Park, converting the half-acre lawn around the barn into a naturalized meadow figured prominently in its design priorities.

Partridge Pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata

Great doings were undertaken. The landscape was harrowed, loamed, and planted with wildflower seeds in the fall of 2021. The following season's drought hampered development of a full-fledged meadow. In the sparse vegetation that did emerge an exotic-looking "native" (from the south-central U.S.) plant appeared. Its pretty flowers bore Partridge Pea fruit, prompting my imagination to give wings to flocks of prairie birds that might arrive from their native Great Plains range.

Coreopsis blooming at the Park entrance, June 2023

Leap forward to this summer's generous rains. The prospering meadow has greened and flowered.

New signs place emphasis on accommodating insects in the Park.

The un-mown meadow has made an inviting habitat for the insects as well as a beautiful landscape.

Unfortunately, the enforcement of protections has imposed painful restrictions on formerly free-roaming photographers.

My rambles, confined to a linear path, have nevertheless presented various flora and fauna novelties.

The barn in the meadow, September 2023

Hopefully the barn, looking all the more picturesque in its new surroundings, will receive life-saving attention from its conservators.

End of season still-life:
Queen Anne's Lace, burdock seeds, blackberry leaves

In the coming series of postings we will look at diverse summer occurrences in the meadow.