Rice Lake State Park

           I officially made it to the deciduous section of state parks within Minnesota. And it was the first time I had to apply bug spray on a hike due to all the rainfall we’ve had this spring. The area was muddy and the air muggy: a prime location for the local mosquitoes. However, the slight breeze protected my parents and I for the majority of the hike.

 

            Rice Lake, which used to be an Oak Savanna, is still dominated by mostly Burr Oaks, in addition to Walnut and other various trees species. The park is also known as a pit-stop for migrating waterfowl; however, my parents and I missed that aspect due to us hiking the area in July. So, we instead focused our eyes to the other local favorite feature Rice Lake had to offer: blooming wildflowers.

            The State Park contains two back location dedicated to prairie. Here, I strolled through, located, and identified most of the current blooms. Right away, I noticed tall Compass Plants; it’s yellow seed head bloom towering over my head: it’s a plant whose opposite leaves naturally orient themselves in a specific direction (a direction in which I don’t actually remember). It was kind of weird and memorizing to gaze up at a flower taller than yourself. It’s a good reminder of how unique and magnificent each wildflower is, especially because of the One who created the species in the first place. Another gorgeous plant I pointed out was Swamp Milkweed. This is really the first year where I’ve seen a lot of it around, in prairies as well as ditches, which is exciting. We got to help the Monarchs in any way we can, right? 

     

Additionally, Common Milkweed was also present, displaying its broad leaves and rosy pom-pom-like seed head bloom; attracting pollinators as much as it can. A few other wildflowers that I saw and are the first to bloom each season included Black-Eyes Susan, Ox-Eye (AKA False Sunflower), and Daisy Fleabane. 

Common Milkweed

Daisy Fleabane

Black-Eyed Susan

Ox-Eye

All are mostly your basic flowers, but each provides its own strengths to the ecosystem; whether it being nectar for insects, food for other surrounding herbivores, or reducing soil erosion. (I also picture these plants as ones a child would randomly pick for their mother.)

Next, I found Golden Alexander hidden among the vibrant and abundant Wild Parsnip. [FYI: if you don’t know what Wild Parsnip is or how to identify it, LEARN! It’s oils, if it encounters the sun’s rays, will cause severe blisters and burns to the skin. Plus, it’s an invasive species.] It looks are similar to Golden Alexander in regard to color and shape, but Parsnip had a different leaf orientation and grows much taller. But, in any case where you aren’t certain, just leave the plant alone to do its thing. Finally, the other plant I could easily identify were Cattails, surrounding the marshier areas as well as the lake itself. This was my first time seeing them up close too, which a cool moment for me.

            Overall, this hiking trip was quick due to its smaller size. It only took my parents and I around an hour and a half to walk around the whole park. And, despite not seeing any waterfowl on the lake, the hike was still peaceful: Crows, Robins, and other small birds I couldn’t identify, sang white noise for us.

            Additionally, I heard a Blue Jay singing, which is when I saw, or in this case felt, God’s presence the most. I’ve asked God to show me sign via birds before, the Blue Jay being the most common; thus, seeing and hearing them now has a special place within my heart. Plus, they are a good reminder that God is watching over me.

            I cherished my time at Rice Lake State Park and hopefully, in the future, I’ll come back to observe the migrating waterfowl that the park provides a temporary habitat for.