I found two new invasive species this time.
Garlic Mustard
Japanese Bayberry
The garlic mustard is everywhere around here, but, has not invaded the deep woods. I think that the flower of the bayberry is beautiful, but I'm thankful that I only found the one plant.
I got an identification on the mystery plant, thanks to a friend on a horse related bulletin board, of all places. This plant is called "Harbinger of Spring." I dearly want to see it in bloom, and it is the main reason that I'm going to try to find a poison ivy free way back there next weekend. You can't see them very well, but the second picture shows a slope just covered with them.
The trilliums are in full bloom
The coltsfoot is starting to go to seed.
And, while on one of my first trips back into the woods, I found one little bloom of early saxifarge, it's now everywhere.
The devil weed is growing with great abandon (another invasive plant)
What I thought might be wild iris looks like it's probably reeds of some sort.
The "killing field" where the hunter left his plastic gloves is now covered with horsetails.
And, the Lady's lilies of the valley should be blooming very soon.
I did find a new mystery flower with quite distinctive leaves.
I got my best yet picture of the swan (come to think of it, that's an invasive animal species, itself)
And, I found a new trail that took me the closest to the shoreline of the bay that I have been. Unfortunately, there's a dropoff there, so I wasn't able to get right down to the shore.
Burrow in the base of a tree along that trail.
I wanted to see if the sweet woodruff was in bloom (it wasn't) and, as it's not on a trail, I had to bushwack my way back up to my house in order to check on it. It was a hard climb, and I had to stop and rest a lot. But, I got a reward for doing so because, deep in the woods, I found this flight feather from a yellow shafted flicker.
I was really hoping that my memory of the poison ivy in the woods was exaggerated. But, I'm afraid it wasn't. The stuff is rampant. I so wanted to continue to watch the woods as it developed during the course of the year. But, I spent a good deal of time this weekend searching out manicured trails in areas around me. I figure that, at least, I can make a point to visit those trails, hopefully on a weekly basis, and see what grows in woods very much like mine.
10 comments:
Oh, Louise, I really do love your walks in the woods! You take such good pictures! It,s almost like taking a walk myself, only without my tank! So sorry about all that poison ivy, nasty stuff, that's for sure. Cool feather, I wish I knew (and could remember) all the birds that you do!
Have a lovely day now. Think we are in for more showers, very gray and dismal.... :-(
I'm sensitive to poison ivy too. I googled Japanese Bayberry but couldn't find anything on it. Yeah, the garlic mustard is very invasive.
I never stopped to think about all the different plants that are in the woods...you found so many.
Do you live near a lake?
Sharon, I like nature of any kinds, birds, plants and animals (no spiders though). And, I was blessed with a Father who did too, and taught me a lot. But, these woods walks I have taken this Spring, and the research I have had to do to identify some of this stuff, has taught me a lot.
Lori, I live near Irondequoit Bay.
Great pictures...and omg poison ivy is nasty stuff, my husband pulled one out of the hedge here once when we first moved in and didn't know what it was, and omg did he suffer...poor guy!
Great pics. Love going on walks with you.
Poison Oak/Ivy is nasty stuff. Never used to be allergic to it, but found out years ago I am highly allergic to it. Therefore am very careful where I go and make sure I am not around anyone who has been around it.
Although, when I was younger ( years ago) someone told me to eat Manzanita leaves and you wouldn't get Poison Oak. I did and never got it. Hmmmmm.
Louise, you are becoming a 21st century "Edwardian Lady." Are you familiar with The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady? By Edith Holden, who took walks like yours and documented them with water color paintings and diary entries. Being an old hippie, interested in such things, you may. I love your walks, thanks for taking us along.
Me and AJ, I've never had poison ivy, and my Father could pull it out with his bare hands and not get the rash, so I may not be allergic. But, you know, I don't think I want to test that out.
I like that about the 21st century "Edwardian Lady," Canyon Girl. I never heard of her, but I'll have to get the book, the next time I go to the library. All I can say, however, is that it's a good thing I have a camera, because I can't draw a lick.
have you any ground sorrel/???
I have not heard of it, John, and when I went Googling, it doesn't look familiar.
Post a Comment