Naturalist's Corner - Unexpected Curiosities

I welcome Jon Rigden back to share another thoughtful column on curiosity and mystery. Jon is a hero for the prairies and their restoration along with his many colleagues in The Friends of the Blufflands and The Prairie Enthusiasts, both groups he is active in. His dedicated passion for this work and his curiosity about the life and history of these remnants has led him to write deeply researched and quite amazing blog posts at the Friends of the Blufflands website. Jon kindly gave me permission to reprint his most recent and extraordinary August 16, 2026 post.

Who Ordered That?

By Johnathan Rigden

Friends of the Blufflands blog

When hiking on the bluffs around La Crosse, it is not uncommon to come across something that seems out of place. When this occurs, I sometimes think , “Who ordered that?". Finding something odd is often followed by doing an internet search which uncovers more about that peculiar sight than if it had been something "familiar". Like the saying goes, "Confusion is the sweat of learning". Without being puzzled, like when we know the name of something and dismiss it as if we know it thoroughly, our curiosity can be dimmed. 

Which reminds me of an occasion long ago when I first started learning about birds with a well-known birder in the La Crosse area. Equipped with a lousy pair of Bushnell binoculars, I saw a very red bird in the distance and initially thought it was a scarlet tanager. But, it turned out to be a cardinal. When the group asked what I was looking at, I uttered the line, "It's just a cardinal" dismissing it as something so familiar that it was hardly worth mentioning. Immediately, I was humorously chastised by the expert birder..."JUST a cardinal???" Since then I have tried to stay humble about the little I truly know about even the most familiar subjects. Which makes me think of line from Socrates- "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know."

Swamp milkweed

Recently after a morning on Zoerb Prairie, I left via the grassy field above the prairie and I noticed a plant growing with a bunch of bumblebees scurrying about its flowers. 

Initially it threw me off because it seemed to be out of place- is that swamp milkweed? Growing on the bluffs in a field full of reed canary grass and smooth brome? True to this plant, it was a bee magnet with brown belted bumblebees swarming it, but, why was it growing here? Doesn't it grow in wet, swampy areas, hence the name? Who ordered that?

Further up the field, there was another oddity- rattlesnake master.

Rattlesnake master

Where did that come from? This was a cultivated field back when the State of Wisconsin owned it from 1931 to 1962 and where the USDA investigated sustainable farming- the “Experimental Farm”, or, as we learned in a previous post, the “Upper Mississippi Soil Conservation Station" . Since it was plowed and planted with a variety of demonstration crops, it shouldn't be a native plant left over from the original sod. Maybe it was from one of the nearby planted prairies. But, a review of the seed mix for those prairies showed no rattlesnake master. Hmmm....a mystery! Maybe some "Johnny Rattlesnake Seed" threw some seeds out there. Once again, who ordered that?

Rosinweed

Further along in the field this  flower caught my eye.

Ahhh, something familiar! It's good old rosinweed in the genus Silphium! I've looked that up a few times in the past... I can tell you the name, so I know all about it. Right? Not really. Again, I'm humbled every time that I think something is "familiar" and less interesting just because I know its name... like that cardinal. Here is a short video of the great physicist Richard Feynman discussing the difference between knowing the name of something vs knowing about something: https://youtu.be/lFIYKmos3-s?si=oUW2jb-EJwIADYGt And what about all of those insects? I think they are hoverflies and probably the oblique stripetail, Allograpta obliqua, but that's just a name and maybe a rabbit hole to go down some other time!

Cardinal flower

In this same field, a cardinal flower was growing a few years ago. Again, out of place. How was a cardinal flower growing in this field of thick grasses and other tough competitors? And doesn't it like wet spots like along streams? What was it doing here? Who ordered that?

The lesson from this trip through a "field of weeds" is that life is full of mysteries. In 500 BC, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus wrote, "If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it, for it is not to be reached by search or trail." Be ready to be surprised even in the most "degraded" of places. On your hikes, find interesting tidbits to add to your collection and be willing to include even a few of those most familiar of plants and animals for further thought. But be humble like Isaac Newton when he said, " I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in the now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."

"Who ordered that?" is a memorable phrase said by the American physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi in 1936. It was his reaction to the discovery of the muon, a cousin to the electron, which at the time had no clear place in atomic theory... it was "out of place". Since then, this line has been repeated frequently in the physics community when something comes up that is completely unexpected. And if you want to learn more about Rabi, a good book to read is "Rabi: Scientist and Citizen" by none other than my father: https://www.aps.org/archives/publications/apsnews/199807/scientist.cfm .

I've taken to co-opting Rabi's line on my hikes when I see something unexpected as a way of saying that mysteries will always surround us. Some are profound, others rather trivial. Some have answers, many do not. But they will always be there, even when walking across an old weedy field. So, the next time you see something and are puzzled, think "Who ordered that?" And, á la Feynman, just because you know the name of something, don't be fooled into thinking you know much about it.

Images - Jonathan Rigden

Nature School - Friends of the Blufflands

One of the earliest "Nature School" guided hikes I went on post-Master-Naturalist-certification was in late summer of 2023. The hike was hosted by the Friends. We went on an information-packed hike at three prairies in La Crosse's Hixon Forest, thanks to the Friends of the Blufflands. I learned a ton about prairies that I have built on ever since.

This La Crosse-based group isn't just composed of friends - they are working heroes for the La Crosse blufflands. Their mission is "to promote sound conservation practices in the Coulee Region blufflands and to be a voice for a wide variety of blufflands users who value the area blufflands for the increased quality of life they provide."

They put alot of sweat equity into restoring and maintaining  prairies and forests, controlling invasive species and identifying and preserving rare species during volunteer work days. They hold regular work parties to clear, conduct prescribed burns and restore prairies/forests/oak savannahs primarily in La Crosse's Hixon Forest.

Restoration signs on the prairie

In addition, they educate the public through advocacy, guided hikes and their blog, advise on trail construction, and advocate to keep the blufflands natural. They collaborate closely with the Coulee Region chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts and other local outdoor and nature organizations.

They have an outstanding blog that is another classroom all by itself. Here you can learn about how their restoration work is done, read fascinating articles about prairie forbs and wildlife and learn about the history of these bluffs.

Although the group doesn't host a ton of interpretive hikes, I highly recommend going on one when you see them as sponsor. Your knowledge of prairies and their restoration will blossom. Their "Nature School" is top-flight!

Here are two of the classrooms I was in with these uber-knowledgeable guides.

String of Pearls Hike in Upper Hixon Forest

On Lookout Prairie
Image -Larry Sleznikow

While this wasn't the name of the hike, I will always remember it by this name. Led by Friends of the Blufflands members extraordinaire John Rigden, Mike O'Brien and Pat Wilson, we learned about the many small remnant prairies that stretch beneath the bluff rims like a string of pearls. The Friends of the Blufflands work to restore these remnants and keep them healthy. We learned about restoration plans and methods for three prairies.  Flowers and grasses were identified along the way.  We had plenty of time on the steep slopes of the restored remnants and on the rim taking in the spectacular views. We also learned about the history of these prairies and the partnerships that make the restoration possible. Each leader was knowledgeable and it was a true learning experience.

National Prairie/Trails Day Hike in Hixon Forest

This summer, on the first Saturday in June, the Friends of the Blufflands coordinated a hike to share their ongoing work on restoring an oak savannah on the lower slopes below Lookout Prairie. Again, the work of the Friends, to transform an area filled with undesirable woody growth, was amazing. Participants were treated to tales of the work, the flowering plants and the importance of prescribed burns and continuing restoration work.

The Friends of the Blufflands welcome volunteers to assist with their work days around the year. You can also donate or become a member for life for $50. 

Going to “Nature School with this dedicated group of individuals is amazing.

And be sure to check out and join their Facebook page - and consider joining them as a volunteer. Here is their most recent post: 

"Some of you may have noticed that another restored prairie has joined the lineup in Hixon Forest that is visible from Bliss Road. This is Birch Point Prairie! Contractor and volunteer work began in the fall of 2024 and has been supported by both the La Crosse Area Community Foundation, the Natural Resources Foundation, and donations from members of Friends of the Blufflands. Thank you to all!

As can be seen in the map of Lower Hixon circled in red, Birch Point Prairie is next to Zoerb Prairie, followed by Lookout Prairie then Vista Prairie. These three prairies have undergone restoration and it is felt that adding Birch Point Prairie to this lineup enhances the overall habitat value. This arrangement is often referred to as an “archipelago” and the habitat value is felt to be multiplied instead of just added together when connected in this fashion. It will be exciting to see more and more insects, such as butterflies and native bees, birds, and other critters using these prairies connected in this fashion. To add to this line up of restored prairies, FBL might consider restoration of Log Prairie circled in pink on the map sometime in the future. The restoration of Birch Point Prairie is still incomplete with a significant amount of volunteer work that will be needed for the unavoidable resprouts and seedlings that will reoccur. And, eventually, the prairie will be burned for the first time in many years.

Subsequent photos show the prairie in various stages of restoration. First, before any of the current restoration efforts, second after the central prairie was cleared, and last a nice sunset view from the prairie with Zoerb and Lookout Prairies in the background.

FBL will start having collaborative volunteer work days with the Coulee Region Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts on most Wednesdays and Saturdays in September. Please consider joining us! If you would like to be on our volunteer list, please contact Jon Rigden at jonathanrigden@me.com."

Nature School is what I like to call the guided hikes I go on when I’ve a mind to learn more about the natural world and to fulfill my required training hours to maintain my annual Master Naturalist volunteer certification. The Nature School series highlights parks, organizations and groups that provide free or low-cost guided learning experiences while hiking. The Driftless area of MN, WI and IA is rich in dedicated biologists, naturalists and citizen scientists who share their knowledge, passion and expertise. By doing so, they help hikers of all ages better understand our natural world. It’s always a delight to attend their “schools.”

Check out additional Nature School posts:

• Going to Nature School - Guided Hikes
• Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
• Frontenac (MN) State Park Association
• Mississippi Valley Conservancy
• Coulee Region Audubon Society

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Why is That Bluffside Black?

Have you ever headed up La Crosse's Bliss Road towards Grandad's Bluff and glimpsed a blackened bluffside across the valley to your left? 

Hixon Forest's Zoerb Prairie after late January 2025 prescribed burn
Image - Jonathan Rigdon

If you have, then you've been seeing one part of the dedicated work of the Friends of the Blufflands and Coulee Region Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts burn crews and volunteers in Hixon Forest. Members of these two groups of volunteers are responsible for the cleared and healthy prairie remnants that these blackened areas represent. 

Our Driftless areas have many small remnant prairies dotted here and there. 

Prairies need fire to do well. Without them, woody invasives easily take over. The deep-rooted prairie plants can't compete with taller plants and some of the seeds need the fire for germination as well. A prairie that is regularly burned during a prescribed burn is healthier.

Zoerb prairie burn in progress
Image - Justin Nooker

It takes a burn crew to do this work of a prescribed burn. A recent Friends of the Blufflands blog post by Jonathan Rigdon, Anatomy of a Prairie Burn, has a great explanation about how these burns are conducted. 

The results of a burn are nothing short of extraordinary. As spring begins, the flowers and grasses return and within a few weeks, you can't even tell an area was burned. When you see these beautiful prairies in their warm weather glory, it's easy to take for granted their flower and grass-filled vistas. 

A healthy prairie at Hixon
Image - Marge Loch-Wouters

Beyond fires, it takes real and consistent prairie management by dedicated Friends of the Blufflands/The Prairie Enthusiasts volunteers to keep the Hixon Forest (and other nearby) bluff prairies open and healthy. Their work includes removing woody invasives (trees and brush), gathering and broadcasting seed, grant writing, collaboration with surrounding communities and organizations and monitoring a host of Driftless prairies. 

This recent Friends of the Blufflands blog post Restoration Begins on Birch Point Prairie! discussing the work on the Birch Prairie restoration project gives a great peek into the work involved, the history and importance of our prairies and how many prairies these groups maintain.

When you take a hike sometime in upper Hixon Forest's Bicentennial trail (across the road from the weatherball) onto the Birch Trail and then on to Vista, you can see the changes coming and in progress on the Birch, Zoerb and Lookout prairies. I blogged about this three prairies hike here.

While you may not be able to participate in the preparation work, you can still support these two organizations through your memberships or donations at The Prairie Enthusiasts and Friends of the Blufflands.

Great work, my friends.