Variation: Mines of Spain

Biennial Gaura

This week we take a little vacation from the Sycamore Greenway to visit the Mines of Spain near Dubuque. This gorgeous park is a must-see for anyone who enjoys nature, geology, or history--you can hike on numerous trails through prairie, woodlands, and bluffs with scenic views of the Mississippi River. Northeast Iowa, including Mines of Spain, is part of the geologic Driftless Area, an area that avoided the glaciers that smoothed out much of the rest of the midwest over the past several hundred thousand years.

Indigo Bunting, juvenile male

These photos are from Horseshoe Bluff, one of my favorite places to hike. It is interesting to see the different wildflowers in bloom in a wooded state park compared to those on the newish and entirely constructed Sycamore Greenway.

Young Cedar Waxwing, looking considerably less elegant
than its sleek, velvety elders.

Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera). The entertaining
genus name Vermivora translates to "worm eating."

False Foxglove (Agalinis sp.)

Wetlands

Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata)

View of the Mississippi from the scenic overlook

Geologic layer cake

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) and well-camouflaged
guest (Crab Spider, Mecaphesa sp.).