My second visit to the Miller Woods trail in the Indiana Dunes National Park came in late spring, about a month after my first visit which I describe in this series of posts. In between visits however a wildfire swept through Miller Woods. This was on top of a controlled burn which had been done just prior to my first visit. Even though I knew that nature has a way of bouncing back stronger than ever after wildfires, I was not quite expecting what I found only two weeks afterwards.
Above is the sight which greeted me at the trail head. This area had been part of the controlled burn and thus was burned twice. The vibrant green shoots popping up out of the blackened ground were amazing to behold.
The first hints of wild flowers were arising from the ashes.
Everywhere you looked there was ample evidence of the recent fire, such as these burnt branches, being swallowed by new growth.
Here we see Violet Birdsfoot.
This part of the Indiana Dunes complex is known for its Lupine which we see here growing alongside the path.
More Lupine growing up beside the charred remains of logs.