Lovely Day

The scene is very pleasing to my eye - but as in the previous posts 'Early Fall Day' and 'Skeeter Boat' the scene is dominated by an invasive marsh grass that is rapidly displacing the native 'cat-tail' (Typha latifolia) and turning marshy areas into almost impregnable thickets for both man and native animals.

Phragmites australis, common reed, commonly forms extensive stands (known as reed beds), which may be as much as 1 square kilometre (0.39 sq mi) or more in extent. Where conditions are suitable it can also spread at 5 metres (16 ft) or more per year by horizontal runners, which put down roots at regular intervals. It can grow in damp ground, in standing water up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) or so deep, or even as a floating mat. The erect stems grow to 2–6 metres (6 ft 7 in–19 ft 8 in) tall, with the tallest plants growing in areas with hot summers and fertile growing conditions.