Farewell February!

Nothing fancy!  Remnants of last years White Heath or Tufted White Prairie Aster (Aster ericoides) swaying above the snow on this sunny but very cold day!  The ice crystals have danced in the sky off and on all day and the thermometer is set to drop to -40C, adding the windchill ... anywhere from -47C to -50C overnight!  A very cold way of bidding farewell to February!  Keep warm and have a great weekend everyone!  

Snowy Asters

I'm late with yesterdays post, however, I find it a bit cheery on this overcast, frosty Friday!  We had a dusting of fresh snow but the sun did pop it's head out from behind the clouds yesterday afternoon.  When it finally did emerge, the remnants of last years White  Heath Asters (Symphyotrichum ericoides) stood tall in the glistening snow that surrounds them!  How many more days of winter will remain????

Prairie Remnants ...

Although summer is gone and 'Fall' has had it's toes stepped on by 'Old Man Winter,'  there is still beauty to found on the prairiescape!  I love walking through native prairie during all seasons but during the 'Fall' it's so easy to find the remains of what gave the prairie colour not too long ago.  These are the remnants of White Heath Aster plants (Symphyotrichum ericoides) and can be found throughout the prairie landscape.  They make beautiful dried flower arrangements ... and can easily replace dandelion's in a vase, if you have kids!  :)