Beyond the Running Creek

Our Wilkerson pasture is divided by the most scenic running creek that hugs an outcropping of blocky limestone to the south. Over the weekend I walked a portion of the pasture undergoing recovery where the grazing has been limited. What a riot of wildflowers I found growing there. Snow-on-the-mountain with its white-edged green bracts makes looking away to find weeds most difficult. Deep into the southeast corner, my husband calls and I have to walk out in haste. Across the fence, wands of button gayfeather paint the breeze purple with its dotted spikes. Without grazing pressure on this neighbor's land, the Liatris seems to flourish year-to-year. Just ask the herd of butterflies pouring into that segment of the hillside. And I do mean herd! So far from the road, a downhill slope features beauty that's rarely even seen. I call it heaven-in-the-wayside, a worthwhile trip off the main road. Wished I'd left my phone at the farmhouse...