Skip to content
Rachael Koppendrayer
  • Home
  • Meet Rachael
  • Books
    • Children’s Books
    • Flash Fiction
  • Artwork
    • Swedish Dala Animals
    • Nature
    • Fantasy
    • Christmas
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Contact
Minnesota

Lady Slipper Bouquet

  • January 29, 2020January 22, 2020

Read more “Lady Slipper Bouquet” →

Minnesota

Spotted Touch-Me-Not

  • September 11, 2019October 3, 2019

I was out on yet another bike ride on the Wobegon Trail (where better to find all the nature that Central Minnesota has to offer?), when, what to my wandering eyes should appear, but Spotted Touch-Me-Nots! Having recently posted about Meadowhawk dragonflies it is only fitting that I should find–and photograph–the lovely little flowers from my as yet sole dragonfly drawing.

Read more “Spotted Touch-Me-Not” →
Minnesota

Meadowhawks

  • August 29, 2019October 3, 2019

It’s always fun to encounter a plant or animal I’ve drawn, and it’s especially fun when all I have to do is step outside my door and there it is. I went outside to water my plants recently, and behold: a meadowhawk dragonfly resting on my moss roses. I am no dragonfly expert, but I do know that mature meadowhawk males are ruby-red, while females and immature males are a golden tan. So this is probably a female taking a break just outside my window and most considerately letting me photograph her!

Read more “Meadowhawks” →
Minnesota

Trillium

  • May 22, 2019October 3, 2019
Large-flowered Trillium ~ Trillium grandiflorum, 2015

Come Mother’s Day in central Minnesota, it’s usually a good time to go driving by the woods. On the right year, the forest floors can be a carpet of showy white blossoms easily seen from the road. The trillium were close to a week late this year, but they’re finally out!

Read more “Trillium” →
Minnesota

Showy Lady’s Slipper

  • September 17, 2018October 3, 2019
Showy Lady’s Slipper ~ Cypripedium reginae
2014

Where Cinderella dropped her shoe,
‘Tis said in fairy tales of yore,
‘Twas first the lady’s slipper grew
And there its rosy blossom bore. 

And ever since, in woodlands gray,
It marks where spring retreating flew,
Where speeding on her eager way,
She left behind her dainty shoe. 

On pensile-stem it drooping sways,
Pale, pink-veined blossom, lightly swung,
Here, brushing thro’ yon tangled ways,
‘Twas lost these withered leaves among. 

Like Prince of old, on romance bent,
We bring it home with tender care;
But all in vain–the magic lent
By fairy lore still lingers there. 

Yet see, alas! no foot we find
To fit that shoe so slender-small:
Our Cinderella’s left behind,–
So let her lady’s-slipper fall.

~Elaine and Dora Goodale (Apple Blossoms: Verses of Two Children, 1878)

The end of June, when strawberries are ripe–that’s when the Showy Lady’s Slippers bloom. They stand out in the road ditches, so that even driving by at 55 mph, they’re easy to spot.

As long as anyone in my family can remember, the Minnesota state flower has always grown out in the swamp–or rather, the popple island in the middle of the swamp, as well as the tamarack woods behind it. To reach them, one must brave woodticks, mosquitoes, and during some springs, up to knee-deep icy water. I grew up with stories of my great aunt taking her nephews and niece on treks out there to see them, and my grandpa writing to the state to request permission to pick them for bouquets for church.

Photos by Rachael Koppendrayer
5X7 Art Card  Showy Lady's Slipper image 1
Purchase this card on Etsy

During my years in 4-H, I exhibited photographs of these flowers roughly every other year from 6th grade until I graduated, finally scoring a reserve champion my senior year of high school.

Birds

Loon

  • July 13, 2018October 3, 2019
Great Northern Loon – Gavia immer
2018
5X7 Art Card  Great Northern Loon image 1
Purchase this card on Etsy

Apparently what I grew up knowing as the Common Loon has now been renamed the Great Northern Loon (though Gavia immer remains its scientific name). A compromise, I believe, between Common Loon and the European name, Great Northern Diver. It sounds a little more important than a mere Common Loon, so I guess I’ll go with it.

I was reminded again how difficult feather down is to depict, as are reflections. I sometimes wonder why I torture myself so, but I was pleased with the result, so it was well worth it.

Minnesota

Blue Flag Iris

  • June 1, 2018October 3, 2019

Read more

Minnesota

Clematis – Blue Virgin’s Bower

  • April 30, 2018October 3, 2019

Read more

Minnesota

Prairie Smoke

  • March 30, 2018October 3, 2019

Read more

Butterflies

Tiger Swallowtail on Orange Hawkweed

  • March 26, 2018October 3, 2019

Read more

Minnesota

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

  • March 2, 2018October 3, 2019

Read more

Posts navigation

1 2

Connect with Rachael

  • Facebook
  • Etsy
  • Pinterest

Sign up for Rachael’s Newsletter

Subscribe to Rachael’s blog

Receive email updates of Rachael's blog
Loading

READ!

I am a Havok author!

Archives

Privacy Policy

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
Website Copyright © 2020 Rachael Koppendrayer. All Rights Reserved.
Theme by Colorlib Powered by WordPress